National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) Database

Since its establishment in 1974, the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) has been playing a major role in environmental research in Japan. We are proud of the integrative expertise to tackle environmental issues through the collaboration of our researchers and staffs with diversified specialties such as physics, chemistry, engineering, agriculture, fisheries, medicine, pharmacology, law/politics and economics. Environmental problems have been proliferating from the relatively localized problems, represented by industrial pollution, to global problems. Actually, these problems are stemmed from long-term human activities, represented by global warming and ecosystem degradation. In particular, to prevent the global warming, the Kyoto Protocol came into force on 16 February this year, triggered by scientific investigations to seek more effective ways. Many other environmental issues like management of wastes and hazardous substances have also become serious problems. To solve these issues, we are making the most use of the synergies of our institute, by paying attention to interdisciplinary collaboration and breathtaking stimuli. In April 2001, the NIES was reorganized to an independent administrative institution, which allows us to deal with the issues more flexibly and effectively. At the same time, we launched the first 5-year programs. In this fiscal year, we plan to sum up our research activities and the findings; on the other hand, we will make up the second 5-year programs. Our aims will include not only the ways of solving or mitigating environmental problems, but also the ways of achieving coexistence of affluent natural environment and comfortable and convenient life in cooperation with he citizens outside of the NIES. As a national research institute, the NIES has a mission of serving the public benefit while making the most use of institutional flexibility as an independent administrative institution.