Research into Mountain Science in Japan, Asia, and on a Global Scale
Shinshu, an old province named for the Nagano Prefecture, is a place full of nature surrounded by mountains. The Institute for Mountain Science, Shinshu University, is a research institute in Japan that strongly focuses on scientific research on the mountain environment; this field is called "mountain science". Our mission is to enthusiastically conduct various studies in mountain sciences in order to address the environmental problems that prevail in the mountain area. We especially focus on "disaster prevention and mitigation research" to reduce the natural disasters caused by global climate change and the "promotion of regional contributions" in terms of damage from wild animals, aging, and population decline in rural areas. In addition, we aim to analyze and predict the effects of environmental change on mountain ecosystems based on data collection in the long-term in this region, including the Japanese Alps and the Lake Suwa. Our institute also advances joint projects with foreign institutions in order to promote scientific research at the global level.
Director of the Institute for Mountain Science, Shinshu University
Shigeyuki Izumiyama