4. After the Research

The participants heard Mr. Watanabe calling out that "it's about time to wrap it up". They were still preoccupied with their research, despite the rain. They continued on to a local Japanese udon noodle shop for an early lunch together. The hot bowls of udon noodles warmed up the cold, drenched participants. It was relaxing.

Time Spent with the Researcher was Fascinating

One of the most interesting activities in this environmental volunteer program was to spend time with the researcher while enjoying a meal together. In this relaxing atmosphere, the participants could freely ask the researcher simple questions that are difficult to ask in the field. Mr. Watanabe even shared his knowledge of popular local udon shops.

[Image] Lunch time scene

[Image] A relaxing lunch time for all!

Lunch scene:
The relaxed atmosphere stimulated conversation unlike in the field. The participants deepened their exchanges with one another and felt a sense of unity.

Closing Lecture Brings Better Understanding

There was still a full program of activities planned after work. Activities included a visit to the Biodiversity Center of Japan operated by the Nature Conservation Bureau of the Ministry of the Environment and a closing lecture at the Kawaguchiko Field Center to provide an overall summary. The participants fully enjoyed all of the interesting aspects of the environmental volunteer program, a program that was not limited to just performing field research.

[Image] Reverdin's Blue specimens

[Image] Clear differences in color and size between the male and female

Reverdin's Blue specimens
The photograph shows specimens of the Reverdin's Blue on display at the Biodiversity Center. You can clearly see the differences in color and size between the male and female.

[Image] Closing lecture

[Image] Closing lecture brings better understanding

Closing lecture:
Finally, a closing lecture was given to summarize the research work and provide more information about the mode of life of the Reverdin's Blue.

The Hitachi Group will continue to work together with Earthwatch Institute (Japan) and participate as "environmental volunteers" in the projects they run. It is important that each and every employee of the Hitachi Group is aware of the natural environment and ecosystems through these efforts, ultimately leading to subsequent actions. The aim is to maintain biodiversity by ensuring clean air, water and earth. Ecosystem conservation is one of the important themes of Hitachi Group's "Environmental Vision 2025".

[Image] Picture of volunteer

Profile

Earthwatch, an International Environmental NGO

[Image] Katsuyoshi Suzuki, Earthwatch Institute (Japan)
Katsuyoshi Suzuki,
Earthwatch Institute (Japan):
During his school days,
Mr. Suzuki was involved in a research project
in Florida on the manatee,
the animal that inspired the mermaid myth.
Now he serves as Assistant Director
of Earthwatch Institute's Japan branch.

Earthwatch is an international environmental non-governmental organization (NGO) founded in Boston, Massachusetts, USA in 1971. The organization dispatches citizen volunteers to field research programs related to the conservation of various animals, plants and ecosystems all over the world and supports research and studies conducted by scientists.
In Japan, Earthwatch Institute (Japan) has been supporting many domestic and overseas research projects since 1993. It became a non-profit organization in 2003 and since then has been more actively engaged in supportive activities.

[Image] logo, Earthwatch Institute (Japan)

Earthwatch Institute (Japan)
5th Fl., Sanbancho TY Plaza, 24-25 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0075
Phone: 03-3511-3360, Fax: 03-3511-3364

5th Fl., Sanbancho TY Plaza, 24-25 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 102-0075

Earthwatch Institute web site (open in new window)

Biodiversity Center of Japan, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment

This facility is located at the northern foot of Mt. Fuji and is part of the Ministry of the Environment. Its mission is to convey information on nature and biodiversity in Japan in an easy-to-understand manner. The organization conducts research activities into Japan's natural environment on a national level as well as collecting the results of this research and disseminating the information to a wider audience.

5597-1, Kenmarubi, Kamiyoshida, Fuji-Yoshida-shi, Yamanashi 403-0005
Phone: 0555-72-6031 (General), Fax: 0555-72-6032/6035

Web site of the Biodiversity Center of Japan, Nature Conservation Bureau, Ministry of the Environment (open in new window)

[Image] Main entrance to the Biodiversity Center(left), A scene during a tour of the Biodiversity Center(right)
Main entrance to the Biodiversity Center

[Image] Main entrance to the Biodiversity Center(left), A scene during a tour of the Biodiversity Center(right)
A scene during a tour of the Biodiversity Center

Kawaguchiko Field Center operated by Fuji-Kawaguchiko Town]

This natural history museum lets visitors appreciate the origins of Mt. Fuji and its rich natural environment. The museum is popular among many people as an enjoyable and educational place for learning about the plants, flowers, and animals living at the foot of Mt. Fuji as well as taking a tour to lava tree molds* and experiencing craft work. Day camp sites are also available to allow visitors to spend the whole day enjoying the broad expanse of wilderness at their own pace.

6603 Funatsu Fuji-Kawaguchiko-machi, Yamanashi 401-0301
Phone: 0555-72-4331, Fax: 0555-72-4331

Introductory web page of the Kawagchiko Field Center (open in new window)

[Image] Field Center(left), Cave of a lava tree mold(right)
Field Center
* Photographed by Michihito Watanabe

[Image] Field Center(left), Cave of a lava tree mold(right)
Cave of a lava tree mold
* Photographed by Michihito Watanabe

* Lava tree mold: A tree-shaped mold formed during eruptions of Mt. Fuji when fluid lava surrounded the trunk of a tree causing the tree to burn away while the lava cooled and hardened. There are more than 200 of these lava tree molds of various sizes scattered around the Field Center.

The area around Mt. Fuji

The area at the foot of sacred Mt. Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan, is a popular tourist spot surrounded by the beautiful waters and greenery of the Fuji Five Lakes which include Lake Yamanaka (or Yamanakako) and Lake Kawaguchi (or Kawaguchiko). The region is full of local attractions such as the rich natural environment, amusement facilities, historical sites, and local dishes. The research work carried out by the environmental volunteer program covered an extensive area stretching over Fuji-Kawaguchiko Town, Fuji-Yoshida City, Yamanakako Village, Minobu Town and Kofu City.

[Image] Map of the area around Mt. Fuji

Global Community Relations and Activities: All companies of the Hitachi Group are making efforts for the creation of a workplace atmosphere in which employees can participate in volunteer activities freely, for the enhancement of support systems, and provision of information, experiences and educational opportunities and so on, in order to enable employees to take a proactive part in various activities, including volunteer activities.