Symposium Report

Nobuo Youfu

Executive director of Munakata Global Environmental Symposium

Born in 1962. As the chief editor for Kyushu no MURA, he has conducted research on regional lifestyles, to connect villages and cities. He is also involved with raising public awareness of movements like green tourism and Slow Food, delivering speeches and acting as an advisor for regional development.

Satoko Seino

Associate professor at Kyushu University Graduate School

After working as assistant professor in the Department of Wide Area Systems Science, Wide Area Science Special Study, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tokyo, Seino was assistant and then assistant professor in the Department of Wide Area Systems Science at the College of General Education, before assuming her current position. Her specialties are coastal and watershed conservation, aquatic biology, and ecological engineering. She has experience in the coordination of fisheries development and conservation, in the restoration of habits for rare species, participation in community and citizen coastal management, and water-related environmental planning and legislation.

Shougo Arai

Head of the Institute of Algological Research, advisor to the Sea Vegetable Company

Born in Ashikaga, Tochigi in 1955. Graduated from Tokyo University of Fisheries in 1979. Conducted surveys on seaweed beds and other topics throughout Japan since his time at university. Completed his master’s degree at the Graduate School of Fisheries Science at Tokyo University of Fisheries in 1981. Founded the Seaweed Research Institute, Inc. in the same year. Under the main research topic of interaction between seaweed and animals, he has been actively researching ocean desertification due to pest damage to algae-eating fish.

Katsuhiko Ueda

Fish eating promoter, seafood evangelist and former fisherman/official

Born in Izumo, Shimane in 1964. While studying at Nagasaki University, he traveled around several fishing villages in his fishing boat. After beginning his government job in 1991, he was involved with the arbitration of fishing disputes in the Seto Inland Sea, scientific whaling in the Southern and Arctic oceans, developing tuna fishing grounds in the Pacific, and projects to restore the natural resources of the Sea of Japan, among other things. He also acts as an evangelist, promoting the consumption of fish by talking and cooking on TV, radio, and in other media, in order to revive the seafood eating culture that supports the country’s fishing industry.

Masashi Takahashi

ORIGINAL Inc., Executive Officer Senior Consultant

Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1989. Worked at embassies and consulates general in Papua New Guinea, Germany, and other countries, where he was responsible for promoting Japanese culture and supporting Japanese companies. Worked at the Bureau of Asia and Pacific Affairs on economic cooperation and security in 2005. Was in charge of inbound policy at the Bureau of Consulate Affairs in 2009. In 2012, he was seconded to the Association of Local Authorities, International Division, and headed the Multicultural Affairs Department and the JET Project Department. Worked on the UNESCO World Heritage program in 2014. Assumed his current position in 2018.

Yoshiharu Hoshino

Hoshino Resorts Representative

Born in Karuizawa, Nagano in 1960. After graduating from the Keio University Faculty of Economics, he completed his master’s degree at the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. After returning to Japan, in 1991 he took over from his father and became the representative of Hoshino Onsen Ryokan (now Hoshino Resorts). Afterwards, he worked to restore the resort hotels and onsen ryokan that were on the verge of going out of business, while also revolutionizing the resort business with facilities like HOSHINOYA, KAI, RISONARE, OMO, and BEB. In 2003, he was selected as a top tourism personality by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

Masashi Takahashi

ORIGINAL Inc., Executive Officer Senior Consultant

Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1989. Worked at embassies and consulates general in Papua New Guinea, Germany, and other countries, where he was responsible for promoting Japanese culture and supporting Japanese companies. Worked at the Bureau of Asia and Pacific Affairs on economic cooperation and security in 2005. Was in charge of inbound policy at the Bureau of Consulate Affairs in 2009. In 2012, he was seconded to the Association of Local Authorities, International Division, and headed the Multicultural Affairs Department and the JET Project Department. Worked on the UNESCO World Heritage program in 2014. Assumed his current position in 2018.

Hiroshi Ogawa

Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture

Born in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture in 1949. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at Kyoto University in 1973 and joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) in the same year. After serving as First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then Counsellor of the same organization in Paris, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat, Cabinet Secretariat, Director of the Preparatory Office for the Establishment of the Food Safety Commission, Cabinet Secretariat, Director General of the Industrial Technology and Environment Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Commissioner of the Patent Office, Director General of the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, Cabinet Secretariat, and Spokesperson of the Cabinet Secretariat before assuming his current position in Fukuoka in April 2011.He is currently serving his second term as governor of the prefecture.He has a wife and two sons. He enjoys reading, watching sports, and listening to music.

Heita Kawakatsu

Economist, Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture

Born in Kyoto in 1948. Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture. Majored in comparative economic history. D. Phil. (Oxford University). Worked as a professor at Waseda University, a professor at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, and president of the Shizuoka University of Art and Culture, among other roles, before beginning his current occupation in 2009. Honorary professor at the Shizuoka University of Art and Culture.
Recent works include “Nihonshiso no Koso”(History of Japanese thought) (Fujiwara Shoten 2017), “What is Berque’s ‘Écoumène’?” (Fujiwara Shoten 2019), and “Daen no Nihon – Nihonkokka no Kozo”(Oval-shaped Japan – the structure of the Japanese state)(Fujiwara Shoten 2020).

Takayuki Ashizu

Chief priest of Munakata Taisha

Born in 1962. Began working at Atsuta Shrine in 1985, and the Association of Shinto Shrines in 1987; after working as director of general affairs, head of the information management department, head of the education department, manager of financial affairs, and manager of PR, he began working at Munakata Taisha in 2012, and became chief priest in 2015.

Kenichirou Usui

Kyushu Asahi Broadcasting (KBC) Head of News intelligence bureau commentary committee

Joined in 1988 and became the ANN Berlin bureau head in 1998. Covered the introduction of the Euro, the Yugoslavian revolution, and other events. Became the head of the news department in 2004. Served as the head of the programming department and head of the news bureau before assuming his current position. Member of the jury for the 2005 Shanghai International Television Festival. Received the Award for Excellence of the Japan Commercial Broadcasters Association for the documentary “Hanzai Sosa”(Investigative Crimes), the World Media Festival Silver Award for “Okinoshima: The Origin of Prayer as Seen by Shinya Fujiwara”, and the Local Period Film Festival Award for Excellence for “Ojoku no Shogen”(Testimony of Disgrace).

Hiroyuki Goto

RKB Mainichi Broadcasting News Department reporter

Joined RKB Mainichi Broadcasting in 2010 in the News Department.
Covered a wide range of topics including incidents, politics, and economics as a reporter for more than 10 years.
Took on the role of Director of Information broadcasting in June of this year.

Kyoko Gendatsu

Executive Producer, NHK Enterprise

Gendatsu joined NHK in 1988. She became a producer in 2006 after working as a news program director. She has overseen NHK environmental campaigns and produced many documentaries about climate change. In 2017, she took her current post and the NHK special “An Upheaval in the Business World: The Impact of the Decarbonization Revolution” was broadcast. She is the author of “Datsu plastic heno Chosen”(Working Towards Plastic Reduction). Vice Chairman of the Japanese Forum of Environmental Journalists. Provisional member of the Central Environmental Council. Expert member of the Environment and Energy Science and Technology Committee of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.

John Fritz

Ambassador of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to Japan

Fluent in English and Japanese. Ambassador of the FSM to Japan since April 2008. After attending high school in his home state of Chuuk and Monte Vista High School (English section) in San Diego County, California, USA, he came to Japan in 1979 and began studying at Tokai University in 1980. Served in the FSM Liaison Office (predecessor of the Embassy) and the FSM Embassy in Japan while studying and training, and has now lived in Japan for over 40 years.

Masashi Takahashi

ORIGINAL Inc., Executive Officer Senior Consultant

Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1989. Worked at embassies and consulates general in Papua New Guinea, Germany, and other countries, where he was responsible for promoting Japanese culture and supporting Japanese companies. Worked at the Bureau of Asia and Pacific Affairs on economic cooperation and security in 2005. Was in charge of inbound policy at the Bureau of Consulate Affairs in 2009. In 2012, he was seconded to the Association of Local Authorities, International Division, and headed the Multicultural Affairs Department and the JET Project Department. Worked on the UNESCO World Heritage program in 2014. Assumed his current position in 2018.

Hiro Nishiuchi

Ambassador of the Munakata International Environmental Conference, model, TV personality, and Philippine Tourism Goodwill Ambassador

Won the Grand Prix at the Miss Universe Japan Contest in Tokyo in 2014.
Won the runner-up Grand Prix at Miss Universe Japan, and has been active since then as model, actress, and TV personality.
Participating in volunteer activities and programs such as cleaning up Boracay Island, and working on environmental issues as Philippine Tourism Goodwill Ambassador since 2018. Won the 2018 ASEAN Tourism Award Japan Influencer Award.

Takayuki Sumita

Advisor to Sumitomo Corporation

Sumita was born in 1962 and joined the Ministry of Trade and Industry after graduating from Georgetown University’s Graduate School of International Politics in 1991.Sumita served as Director of the Patent Office, Environment Agency, Economic Partnership Negotiator, Director of the Intellectual Property Policy Office, Director of the Technology Promotion Division, Director of the Information and Communication Equipment Division, Director of the Brussels Office of the Japan Machinery Exporters Association, Director of the Natural Resources and Fuels Division, and Deputy Director of the Commerce and Distribution Security Council before becoming Director General of the Cabinet Office’s Secretariat for Intellectual Property Strategy in 2017. He led the formulation of the Intellectual Property Strategy Vision and the Cool Japan Strategy. Sumita retired in July of the same year and was later appointed to his current position in December.

Masamichi Iwakuma

RKB Mainichi Broadcasting managing director

Born in 1962. Joined RKB in 1986. After working as reporter in the News Department, in the Tokyo office TV sales department, and completing a US television media training, became deputy head of the TV programming department in 1999, worked as producer, and served as judge for the Japan Record Award. Head of content development in Media Operations since 2008, and producer of the Fukuoka Asia Collection. Became Vice Director of Media Operations and Head of Contents Operations in 2013, Director of Media Operations in 2014, and Managing Director in 2020.

Hiro Nishiuchi

Model, TV personality, and Philippine Tourism Goodwill Ambassador

Won the Grand Prix at the Miss Universe Japan Contest in Tokyo in 2014.
Won the runner-up Grand Prix at Miss Universe Japan, and has been active since then as model, actress, and TV personality.
Participating in volunteer activities and programs such as cleaning up Boracay Island, and working on environmental issues as Philippine Tourism Goodwill Ambassador since 2018. Won the 2018 ASEAN Tourism Award Japan Influencer Award.

Yuna Taira

Actress and TV personality

Born in 1998 in Hyogo Prefecture. Hobbies: Making puns, wearing a kimono, cooking, playing the piano, hair styling, collecting red seal stamps. Special skills: Ryukyuan dance, classical ballet, trumpet, dance. Favorite subjects: English, society, art, anthropology

Manlio Cadelo

Ambassador of San Marino to Japan, Head of the Diplomatic Corps

Graduated from high school in Italy and studied at Sorbonne University. Studied French literature and other foreign languages. Majored in etymology. Speaks seven languages, including Japanese. Continued his studies through summer courses, language courses, and culture courses at the University of Vienna, University of Siena, and the Institut Mangold in Madrid, among others. After graduating in etymology, worked as assistant journalist in the publishing department of the Corriere della Sera, a major newspaper in Milan, and later as diplomat.

Misako Izu

Mayor of Munakata

Born and raised in Munakata City, active as food columnist and radio personality while being involved in her family’s brewery business. Developed a strong interest in the “ocean” through her participation in the “Ship for World Youth” program, worked as cruise coordinator, and held the positions of president of the Seventh Branch of the Japan Coast Guard Association and vice president of the Fukuoka Prefecture Marine Disaster Relief Association. After serving as member of the Fukuoka prefecture parliament, became the first female mayor of Munakata City in Fukuoka prefecture and only female mayor on mainland Kyushu in May of 2018.

Masakatsu Kobayashi

President of the Munakata Eco International Symposium

Hiroshi Ogawa

Governor of Fukuoka Prefecture

Born in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture in 1949. He graduated from the Faculty of Law at Kyoto University in 1973 and joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) in the same year. After serving as First Secretary of the Permanent Mission of Japan to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and then Counsellor of the same organization in Paris, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Cabinet Secretariat, Cabinet Secretariat, Director of the Preparatory Office for the Establishment of the Food Safety Commission, Cabinet Secretariat, Director General of the Industrial Technology and Environment Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Commissioner of the Patent Office, Director General of the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, Cabinet Secretariat, and Spokesperson of the Cabinet Secretariat before assuming his current position in Fukuoka in April 2011.He is currently serving his second term as governor of the prefecture.He has a wife and two sons. He enjoys reading, watching sports, and listening to music.

Heita Kawakatsu

Economist, Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture

Born in Kyoto in 1948. Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture. Majored in comparative economic history. D. Phil. (Oxford University). Worked as a professor at Waseda University, a professor at the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, and president of the Shizuoka University of Art and Culture, among other roles, before beginning his current occupation in 2009. Honorary professor at the Shizuoka University of Art and Culture.
Recent works include “Nihonshiso no Koso”(History of Japanese thought) (Fujiwara Shoten 2017), “What is Berque’s ‘Écoumène’?” (Fujiwara Shoten 2019), and “Daen no Nihon – Nihonkokka no Kozo”(Oval-shaped Japan – the structure of the Japanese state)(Fujiwara Shoten 2020).

Satoko Seino

Associate Professor at Kyushu University Graduate School;

Katsushi Kuwamura

Head of Munakata Fisheries Cooperative Association;

Kosuke Gonda

Munakata Fisheries Cooperative Association;

Takahiro Okano

Ministry of the Environment, Director of the Hot springs Conservation and Utilization Group, Natural Environment Maintainance Section, Natural Environment Division;

Takayuki Kiryu

Association for Munakata’s environment;

Kouta Miyazaki

Kyushu University;

Shinta Mori

Kita-Kyushu City University;

Shintaro Uryu

Nagasaki University

Participating organizations

Munakata “Water and Greenery Association”, Reform Project, Association for Munakata’s environment, Munakata Fisheries Cooperative Association, student groups (Nagasaki University, Kagoshima University, Kyushu Institute of Technology, Kyushu University), and others.

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