Our Group

Small group work helps us reach
research goals by raising awareness.

環境学部

We have 21 research groups within the two departments; Restoration Ecology and Built Environment and Environmental Management and Sustainability.

In the Faculty of Environmental Studies, all third-year students begin their research by participating in a research group through seminars and reading technical books. Their thesis project begins from their fourth year.

Courses consist of small-sized seminars, meaning that students can develop professional knowledge under the supervision of advisors from relevant academic fields.

"Laboratory Guidebook"

Further information is provided in the Laboratory Guidebook (in the Japanese version).

List of groupsRestoration Ecology and Built Environment

Ecological Environment Field

  • Iijima LabApplied Ecological Systems

    Improving the local environment by applying ecosystem functions and understanding the biological capacity of environmental adaptability

    Our research spans technological development and urban environmental planning based on harmonizing human and natural ecosystems. To achieve our goals, we conduct research in various disciplines such as landscape science, environmental science, physiological anthropology, and public health.

    Iijima Lab
  • Yokota LabUrban Ecological Planning

    Conducting practical research on urban ecological planning to create green infrastructure based on ecosystems and ecosystem services

    We analyze and evaluate urban ecological networks, landscape functions, and ecosystem services to integrate urban ecology into ecological planning.

    Yokota Lab
  • Uchida LabBiodiversity and Conservation

    Explore the relationship between human activities and biodiversity to inform ecosystem management

    Our laboratory focuses on elucidating various fields, ranging from the ecology of rare organisms to mitigating mechanisms produced by greenery. Recently, we have taken a keen interest in exploring the diverse functions generated by biodiversity in urban and suburban green spaces.

    Uchida Lab
  • Kitamura LabConservation Ecology

    Conserving biodiversity by integrating theory and practice

    The aim of our laboratory is to resolve conflicts between wildlife and humans by proposing methods for wildlife conservation and management. To this end, our laboratory conducts field research on animals including endangered and alien species.

    Kitamura Lab
  • Ham LabEnvironmental Chemistry

    Analyzing and predicting the status of environmental pollution from an environmental chemistry perspective, and developing countermeasures for pollution

    Our laboratory monitors environmental pollutant behavior and changes in ecosystems; this includes forested mountainous watersheds; nitrate contamination of lakes, rivers, and shallow well-water; soil acidification; and acid rain and its atmospheric deposition rate. We combine this with water quality assessment, understanding element (e.g., nitrogen, phosphorus, and toxic heavy metals) cycling, and chemical approaches.

    Ham Lab

Urban Environment Field

  • Shi LabSmart and Eco City

    Researching the impact of human activities on the global environment

    Our laboratory aims to provide advanced technological solutions to achieve safe, secure, comfortable, smart, and eco-friendly cities. We do this by fusing technologies such as geographic information systems (GIS), remote sensing (RS), the global positioning system (GPS), the Internet of things (IoT), and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    Shi Lab
  • Rijal LabArchitectural Climatology and Environmental Adaptation

    Research on climate-appropriate architecture and urban environments

    Our laboratory investigates the thermal environment and air quality of, and energy use for, traditional and modern buildings and cities adapted to different climates and cultures. We also study adaptive thermal comfort (comfort temperature, preferred temperature, and the adaptive model), and occupant behavior (clothing adjustments, window opening, fan use, cooling and heating use) for comfortable, healthy, and energy-saving building design.

    Rijal Lab
  • Kayo LabSystems and the Built Environment

    Research on the built environment and the “energy community”

    Our challenge is to obtain a better understanding of energy flow in our built environment and become responsible for managing this through membership of an "energy community". To achieve these aims, we apply research methods such as environmental scanning, building performance simulation, and mathematical modelling. We seek to generate and propose innovative ideas towards a sustainable future. Research is conducted with the knowledge of building physics, thermodynamics, or architectural engineering and, given its interdisciplinary nature, collaboratively with computer science, architecture, energy engineering, and product design researchers.

    Kayo Lab
  • Goto LabResidential Environmental Design

    Pursuing a sustainable society from our immediate living and community environment

    Our laboratory aims to realize sustainable cities and towns from both theoretical and practical perspectives through research on the residential environment surrounding homes and lifestyles, and through the practice of community design. Our approach is based on urban planning, while creatively integrating the spaces that make up the living environment with people, communities, lifestyles, various activities, and social systems.

    Goto Lab
  • Niwa LabUrban Environmental Analysis

    Creating a comfortable, safe, and sustainable urban environment

    The goal of our research is to create a city that is comfortable for different groups of people, including the elderly, children, and mothers. We analyze and evaluate urban spaces, road networks, and public transport access for disaster preparation. This is useful to inform the support for vulnerable people in the instance of an earthquake.

    Niwa Lab

Environmental Management and Sustainability

Environmental Management Field

  • Koji Okada LabEnterprise Management Systems

    Research on the effects of management measures and their side effects on business performance and the environment

    We study the impact of various management measures (e.g., investment in development projects and capital investment) on corporate performance and the environment; this includes unanticipated side and secondary effects. Through case studies, hypothesis generation, and computer simulations we explore the mechanisms of impact spillover and convert them into knowledge in a form that can be simulated. As such, this contributes to the advancement of corporate management and the realization of a sustainable society.

    Koji Okada Lab
  • Kinoshita LabAgri-food Systems

    For developing sustainable agri-food systems

    Urban world is less capable of food production. Therefore, urban people are expected to play a role of understanding of and tackling with rural world’s problems. We are thinking of sustainable agri-food systems through the prism of rural businesses and environmental studies. Our study explores various fields such as developing food value chain farming, managing agri-environmental public goods (i.e. land, water, and biodiversity), and analyzing co-production in rural communities.

    Kinoshita Lab
  • SATO, Go LaboratoryPhysical Geography, Disaster-Reduction Research

    Researching the Spatio-Temporal Interrelationships between the Natural Environment and Our Lives

    Our laboratory considers solutions to the challenges faced by human beings and society using geographical research methods, which is an academic field combining the arts and sciences. For example, we are advancing research to spatially understand geomorphological processes (especially landslide development), estimate disaster risk areas, and apply the results to disaster reduction in Japan, Southeast Asia, and Central American countries.

    SATO, Go Laborator
  • Ryuzo Furukawa LabSustainable Lifestyles

    Researching methods and systems that promote lifestyle change

    We design sustainable and enriching lifestyles and develop technologies, products, and services via back-casting, interviews with 90 year old individuals (learning from pre-war life), and learning from nature. We also utilize research methods and systems to promote lifestyle change in cooperation with residents, local governments, Non-Profit Organizations, and businesses.

    Ryuzo Furukawa Lab
  • Hiroki Ookubo LabProduction and Distribution Ecosystem

    Research on the production and distribution systems for goods and services that are adaptive to changes in the social environment and are highly productive

    We research and develop novel management techniques for production and distribution systems that can respond flexibly to changes in the social environment. This enables an increase in the productivity of each process constituting the life cycle of a product (i.e., procurement, production, distribution, sales, disposal, and recycling) and its supply chain. We also research and develop management techniques for knowledge-based service operations, such as consulting services.

    Hiroki Ookubo Lab
  • Aya Heiho LabLife Cycle Environmental Engineering

    Research on technologies and methodologies for the solution of environmental problems based on life cycle thinking

    To provide solutions to complex environmental and social issues, it is important to take a holistic view of things, to develop innovative technologies and systems, and to establish assessment methodologies. Life cycle assessment is an evaluation method that accelerates social implementation of technologies and is expected to develop and be applied in various areas.

    Aya Heiho Lab

Environmental Policy Field

  • Masahisa Sato LabEnvironmental Education and International Cooperation

    Environmental education, environmental ethics, and international educational cooperation

    The United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (UNDESD) commenced in 2005. Our laboratory considers how knowledge should be acquired via extensive studies of values and ethics. We also repeat theoretical research, and test educational practice and social participation to build a sustainable society in connection with international educational initiatives such as the UNDESD.

    Masahisa Sato Lab
  • Kenji Baba LabEnvironmental Governance

    Analysis of environmental and energy policy processes from a trans-disciplinary perspective

    As the risk of climate change becomes increasingly serious, how can we achieve a sustainable society? There are various conflicts of interest, such as issues that arise when a policy is implemented. Our laboratory conducts practical research on creating innovative policies and building consensus in the field, both in Japan and overseas.

    馬場健司研究室
  • Akira Okada LabEnvironmental and resource management policy

    Exploring ways to efficiently use scarce environmental resources

    Current environmental problems are intricately intertwined with overall social systems; economic and urban activities have become the source of environmental problems. In this context, we conduct research on environmental policies, including understanding environmental policies meant to address environmental problems and enrich society. We also investigate how implementation and evaluation processes should be conducted.

    Akira Okada Lab
  • Tsutomu Furukawa LabEnvironmental Law and Policy

    Exploring desirable legal and policy responses to environmental problems

    We provide an accurate understanding of the current situation, identify issues, and formulate recommendations on the desirable form of rules to protect the environment. The topics we cover include preventing air and water pollution, waste disposal and recycling, the regulation of chemical substances, biodiversity conservation, environmental impact assessment, and public works issues.

    Tsutomu Furukawa Lab
  • Tomoko Mori LabMaterial recycling and citizenship

    Research on creating mechanisms and education to promote sustainability transition

    In order to transition the current society to the sustainable one, it is necessary to review existing rules and create new mechanisms. It is also important to develop human resources who can act while participating in society in collaboration with diverse people. Our laboratory conducts research on both the theory and practice of how to create mechanisms and people to promote transition.

    Tomoko Mori Lab