Temperate japonica rice varieties, usually grown in cooler regions, are now being adapted for tropical areas due to changing consumer preferences. These varieties have high grain quality but often yield poorly in short-day tropical conditions. Researchers have been working since 1992 to develop temperate japonica rice that can thrive in tropical environments. They have successfully released six adaptable varieties in the Philippines, with one variety, Japonica 7, matching the yields of popular indica varieties. This work aims to meet the growing demand for temperate japonica rice in tropical regions by breeding varieties that perform well in these conditions.