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What does the environment mean to humans?

Exploring the future possibilities of humans and nature beyond anthropocentrism.
© Mitsuo Sato

What is “Japan Environmental Studies”?

“Japan Environmental Studies” explores the future possibilities of humans and nature beyond anthropocentrism by co-creating an integrated ecosystem without dividing humans and nature. This research center was established as a sponsored research department through a donation from the Uehiro Foundation on Ethics and Education.

By transcending anthropocentrism and co-creating holistic ecosystems, “Japan Environmental Studies” aims to explore future possibilities for humans and nature.
© Mitsuo Sato

Mission

  • Establish “Japan Environmental Studies” and disseminate it domestically and internationally to promote its adoption and practice.
  • Focus on environmental issues at the homogenizing boundaries between humans and nature, unearthing the sensibilities hidden in Japan’s traditional and indigenous knowledge to revitalize communities.
  • Collaborate with local communities to foster human resources who explore dynamic common values across local, national, and global stages.

Activities

  • Develop international research and educational programs exploring the question, “What does the environment mean to humans?”
  • Inspire cultural communities by leveraging the “field power” generated at the intersection of humans and nature, connecting the past, present, and future.
  • Systematize and disseminate the “Japan Environmental Studies” program as a theoretical and practical framework from Japan to the world.
© Mitsuo Sato

Research Themes

What Does It Mean to Be Human?

Asking animals, listening to plants, and learning from all beings.

Everything was taught by animals. Dancing with all beings. Moving beyond anthropocentric thought. Living as a living being.

Bioregion: The Region of Life (Philosophy)

New Natural Myths

Creating “places” through dialogue between landscapes and people. Festivals and rituals, Satoyama (traditional Japanese agricultural landscapes). Agricultural cultural heritage and decentralizing the focus from large cities.

The Future of Humanity: What Is Human Nature?

The Design of “In-Between”

The trajectory (future) of humanity. AI + Compassion, warm robots. Cutting-edge technology and humanity, the future vision of cultural communities.

Wandering and Crossings

A Culture of Moving Between “Here and There”

Island thinking. Cultures of crossing and returning. Gift economy, circular designs. Circularity, cycles, gift-based economy.

The Pathos of Things (Mono no Aware)

Will Human Thoughts Continue a Thousand Years Ahead?

The artistic autonomy and timeless value of ancient cultural works. Topos (place-ness) & Ethos (ethics). The philosophy of “emptiness” (Kū).

Fieldwork

The Act of Living Right Now

The earth as a god, waterfalls as gods. Listening to the voices of nature while heading toward the mountains. Connecting with nature. From on-site education to curatorial practices.

Animism

The Excitement of Tiny Lives

Animism as hope. Anime, picture books, Yuru-chara culture (cute local mascots). Studio Ghibli, Chihiro Iwasaki. “Rights of Nature,” anthropomorphized beings, anima, cosmology.

To Create Is to Live

Becoming Art

Curatorial practices connecting animation, theater, film, art, music, dance, and other fields through the co-creation of cultural communities. Developing next-generation environmental human resources from Japan.

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