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Our Group
Small group work helps us reach
research goals by raising awareness.
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
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Tanaka Lab(Landscape & Ecosystems)
Conducting research related to “ecosystem restoration and creation”, from field studies to policy making, and career development
Professor Dr Akira Tanaka has received three degrees in the fields of conservation ecology, landscape architecture, and environmental policies. He is an expert on ecological restoration, environmental impact assessment, and landscape architecture. His education goal is to develop human resources who consider the balance between human activities and natural ecosystems, including biodiversity. Through his education, he has expertise in multiple areas from practice to policy making, urban and rural areas, and on Japan and various foreign countries including developing nations. This extensive range of expertise also reflects his rich work experience.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Urban Environment Field
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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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Environmental Management and Sustainability
Environmental Management Field
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
Environmental Policy Field
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
