I graduated from Keio University (Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law). I studied at the Graduate School of the University of Florida, the U.S., as an ambassadorial scholar of the Rotary Foundation and gained my master’s and doctoral degrees (Ph.D.) in Interdisciplinary Ecology.
I was a postdoctoral (PD) researcher of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (at Yokohama National University), a part-time lecturer of Chiba University, and an assistant professor of Ritsumeikan University College of Policy Science. I have been an associate professor of Ritsumeikan University College of Policy Science since 2017.
I am a member of the Kyoto City Environment Council, a visiting associate professor of Keio University, a visiting associate professor of Cornell University, and an associate fellow of Ritsumeikan Advanced Research Academy (RARA). Main books as a single author: Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management in Japan (Springer), New Edition: How to become a professor? Tips for living hapy researcher and faculty life (Nihonbashi Shuppan).

I conduct research on wildlife management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental education. Regarding wildlife management, I conduct research based on a social science approach. Specifically, I conducted research on a project for conservation and management of Asian black bear in Hyogo Prefecture and a participatory wildlife damage management project in Tochigi Prefecture. These projects were conducted as joint research with prefectural staff in charge of wildlife damage management, and the research results were reflected in the subsequent wildlife management measures of these prefectures. Based on these results, I proposed a Japanese-style human dimension as a new research approach to pursue and practice research that met local needs and solved social issues, and compiled the results in books.

I also conduct research on environmental education by focusing on the development of human resources to create sustainable local communities. I conducted evaluation research on marine learning at a junior high school near the Seto Inland Sea. I developed a model of environmental education that contributed to local sustainable development through awareness surveys on various parties, including students, teachers and other school personnel, parents and guardians, and fishermen engaged in the program. I have also conducted action research for collaboration between practitioners and researchers to improve education programs. At present, I am conducting research on the results and issues of an environmental education program that aims to ensure coexistence between humans and brown bears in Shiretoko, Hokkaido.

I will continue to conduct research that is useful for society by using various survey techniques combining qualitative surveys (e.g., interviews, participant observation) with quantitative surveys (e.g., questionnaire surveys) based on diverse disciplines, including wildlife management, human dimensions, social psychology, ecology, communication, environmental education, environmental sociology, citizen science, and policy science.

I am also dedicated to education activities as an academic staff of the university. When building sustainable communities, it is essential to collaborate with various parties, including residents. Communication skills are indispensable. I hope to produce global human resources with good communication skills and personalities, including the ability to facilitate active communication between students and academic staff and to think and act with a global mindset while considering the feelings and standpoints of others.

I loved wildlife as a child and had a vision of getting a job related to animals in the future. As a student, I participated in various wildlife surveys as a volunteer. I received kind support from many researchers and learned about researcher as an occupation. I also became keenly aware that biodiversity loss is caused mainly by human activities. I decided to conduct practical and theoretical social science research to solve the problem by understanding human society. At Ritsumeikan University Graduate School of Policy Science, I aim to organize an international research unit that comprises researchers and practitioners from around the world on the theme of social science for biodiversity conservation and produce many leaders in this field. To this end, many graduate students and postdoctoral researchers who aspire to work on social science research for biodiversity conservation are accepted to foster the next generation of experts in this field.

Wildlife management, environmental education, policy evaluation, human dimensions, social surveys, environmental sociology, evaluation of environmental education programs, awareness surveys, citizen science, development of human resources, qualitative research, biodiversity conservation, social psychology

Ritsumeikan Advanced Research Academy RARA