Japan respects the right of indigenous peoples of the Arctic to continuity on their traditional economic and social foundations.  In this session, renowned Japanese researchers will give presentations on cutting-edge research.

Speakers

• Kazuko Shiraishi, Ambassador in charge of Arctic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
• Takahiro Hayashi, Director, Ocean and Earth Division, Research and Development Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan
• Shin Sugiyama, Associate Professor, Hokkaido University: The ice sheet/glacier-ocean interaction in Greenland.
• Shirow Tatsuzawa, Assistant Professor, Hokkaido University:  Ecological changes and adaptation of wildlife-human interaction in the Arctic under the global warming.
• Masanori Goto, Post Doctoral Fellow, Slavic-Eurasian Research Center, Hokkaido University: Constructing of teaching materials of environment education related to local history in Siberia synthesizing cultural memories with scientific knowledge.

Chair

• Masao Fukasawa, Professor, National Institute of Polar Research/Operating Executive Director, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

The ice sheet/glacier-ocean interaction in Greenland

Sugiyama, Hokkaido University

Our project studies changing ice sheet and glaciers in Greenland with a focus on ice-ocean interactions. We further investigate impact of ice and ocean changes on the life of indigenous people.

Ecological changes and adaptation of the wildlife-human interaction in the Arctic under the global warming

Tatsuzawa, Hokkaido University

This project is detecting ecological changes of wild resource animals (especially reindeer) and their influences on the Arctic ecosystem and the northern indigenous peoples. By using of these data, we are trying to establish an adaptive wildlife management system (hunting/reserve areas) for the coexistence of the Arctic flora, fauna and local peoples.

Constructing of teaching materials of environment education related to local history in Siberia synthesizing cultural memories with scientific knowledge

Goto, Hokkaido University

The purpose of this project is to return the scientific knowledge on environment change to the related stakeholders in Sakha (Yakutia) including indigenous peoples.