Toward Sustainable Campus Areas
Environmental Report 2014

Keizo Yamaguchi,President, Hokkaido University

Opening Discussion Aya Sakai,Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering

Noriko Arisaka,3rd-year student, Faculty of Agriculture

Hokkaido University andits Distinctive Appeal

Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering

President, Hokkaido University

3rd-year student, Faculty of Agriculture

Aya Sakai graduated from the Department of Architecture at Yokohama
National Universityʼs College of Engineering, earned a Masterʼs Degree
in landscape architecture at Harvard University, served as a visiting
researcher at Oxford University and the University of California, Los
Angeles, and earned a PhD at the University of London. She worked at
the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) and at Sasaki Associates, Inc.
in Boston, and is a first-class registered architect. She assumed her
present post in February 2007.

Keizo Yamaguchi graduated from Kyoto Universityʼs Faculty of Science,earned a Masterʼs Degree at Nagoya Universityʼs Graduate School of
Science, and completed the Doctoral Program at Kyoto Universityʼs
Graduate School of Science. He specializes in diff¬erential geometry.
Before becoming the 18th President of Hokkaido University in 2013, heserved as an Instructor, Lecturer and Associate Professor at the
Universityʼs School of Science and assumed the posts of Professor at theFaculty in 1993 and Advisor to the President of Hokkaido University in
1999. He also became an Executive (in charge of education, student
aff¬airs and other matters) and Vice President of the university in 2011.
In the same year, he was additionally made Executive Director of theInstitute for the Advancement of Higher Education, the Director of theAdmission Center, and the Director of the Front Office for Human
Resource Education and Development.

Tokyo native Noriko Arisaka is a junior in the Department ofAgrobiology and Bioresources at Hokkaido Universityʼ s Faculty ofAgriculture, and is a member of the Laboratory of Environmental
Molecular Bioscience. She serves as the current representative of
HOSUP (Hokkaido x Support) ‒ a student organization assisting withthe reconstruction of the tsunami-devastated Tohoku region. She also
engages in organic vegetable farming in Sapporoʼ s Okadama area as amember of the Hatake Kurabu (Field Club) farming team. Despite
being a junior at the Faculty of Agriculture, Norikoʼ s research at thelaboratory is focused on the human brain.

Aya Sakai

Keizo Yamaguchi

Noriko Arisaka

The President of Hokkaido University (HU) engaged in a discussion with a female researcher and afemale student in July 2014 in recognition of today s need for enhanced female presence in the workforce. The discussions transcended gender barriers and highlighted HU s appeal as well as providing
a platform for the participants to express their thoughts on future directions for the university.

01

HUʼs American-style campus areas

Sakai: When I went to New York in the late 1980s, I was told

Yamaguchi: I believe this is your first visit to the Executive

map and pasted it to my palm to look at and get around.

Office. The portrait of Dr. William S. Clark you see here was

Yamaguchi: In those days, university instructors were lucky

donated by a descendant of his. Dr. Clark was in Sapporo forto be able to study abroad for two consecutive years. When I

only a little more than half a year, but his presence had a

was at the University of California, Berkeley, in San Fran-

great impact. Notable HU alumni like Inazo Nitobe and Kanzo

cisco, I saw people living in parks without worries ‒ it was a

Uchimura, who were members of Sapporo Agriculturalvery safe place.

Collegeʼs second class, never actually met him.

Sakai: Things were so different in the east and west of the US

Arisaka: These figures paved the way for us to be here today.

that they were like different countries. How was the central

Sakai: Dr. Clark came from a university in America. Youʼ veregion?

been to a few American universities, havenʼ t you, Dr. Yama-

Yamaguchi: From 1990 I was in Minneapolis, where I expe-

guchi?

rienced temperatures of −35°
C for the first time.

Yamaguchi: Iʼ ve been at HU for over 30 years since I came

Sakai: Thatʼ s cold enough to make walking outside danger-

here after earning a doctorate at a Japanese university. The

ous, isnʼ t it? When I came to Hokkaido, I thought it was likefirst American university I went to was Columbia University

the US.

in New York City. That was in 1981 when the economy was

Yamaguchi: In Japan, Sapporo is almost viewed as anotherbad, so New York was a dangerous place.

country because itʼ s not connected to the mainland and has

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

never to open a map on the street, so I made a tiny copy of alike Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Greek and Arabic. Living in atiled roofs so it has an atmosphere similar to that of New

melting pot of races and ethnicities helped me to realize

England, which means Americans feel at home here.

what democracy was all

Sakai: A professor from the UK even said that HU is like anabout. Itʼ s natural that

American university.

people donʼ t understandYamaguchi: The campus areas arenʼ t typically Japanese, andtheir neighbors because

are filled with tourists.

they look different andSakai: When I come to the campus on weekends, itʼ s almost

speak different languages.

like a park.

This highlights the need

Yamaguchi: I was in the Department of Mathematics, which

for communication.

is on Poplar Avenue. I remember looking out of the window

Sakai: I also realized theand being surprised to see so many tourists there. You donʼ timportance of communication.

see that much at universities.

Yamaguchi: People should go abroad while theyʼ re young

Sakai: The question of whether campuses should be public

and impressionable. Itʼ s said that you can see everything onor private is often discussed. On a scale of 0 to 100%, HUʼ s

the Internet these days, but itʼ s not the same as seeing things

campus areas are nearly 100% open, which I think is rare.

for yourself. Noriko, moving out of your parentsʼ place has

Yamaguchi: People can walk on campus late at night without

made a big difference, hasnʼt it?

worrying about safety, donʼt they?

Arisaka: Yes, it has. I have to cook and put out garbage on

Arisaka: Some people jog

my own. I have to discipline myself.

at night because itʼ s safe

Yamaguchi: HU launched Nitobe College last year. I think itʼ seven at 10 or 11 p.m.

easier for students on this program to go abroad because

Yamaguchi: Students visit-

they already live in Sapporo away from their parents.

ing for Open Campus

Arisaka: Yes. I feel like being more active when Iʼ m away

events often come to likefrom my parentsʼ place.

HU and decide to take the

Sakai: Youʼve also been to the Tohoku region, havenʼt you?

entrance examination.

Arisaka: Yes. If I lived with my parents, I donʼ t think Iʼ d be

Sakai: Is there a balance ofable to get away as much. Weʼ re planning to gather about 15

students from Hokkaido and elsewhere?

people for a visit to the Tohoku region this summer. Memo-

Arisaka: In my academic year, 49% are from Hokkaido andries of the March 2011 disaster seem to be fading, so we

51% are from other places.

believe providing opportunities to learn about the regionʼ s

Yamaguchi: The number of students from outside Hokkaido

appeal is the best way to boost actual support for its recon-

has increased since the university introduced a new entrance

struction.

examination system. As of April this year, 60% of students

Yamaguchi: I hope you also learn about depopulation there

were from outside Hokkaido. Universities in Tokyo alsorather than only about the disaster. Sapporo has the lionʼ s

admit students from across the country, but 60% are fromshare of Hokkaidoʼ s people and industry, and depopulation is

the local Kanto area even at the University of Tokyo. HU isa problem faced by the whole of Japan. I hope youʼ ll be able

different because it has students from all prefectures of

to find issues that the rest of the country also shares.

Japan. Hokkaidoʼ s a popular place to live, and even elemen-

Sakai: Iʼ ve been involved in community development initia-

tary school students know Dr. Clarkʼ s famous quote: Boys, betives in Tokachi since last year. The region thrives on agricul-

ambitious.

ture and hasnʼ t suffered from any major natural disasters,

Opening Discussion Hokkaido University and its Distinctive Appeal

totally different vegetation. Houses here donʼ t tend to havebut I wonder what communities there will be like in the next

From Japan to the world via HU

generation.
Arisaka: Is employment an issue there?

Yamaguchi: More than 70% of HU students live away from

Yamaguchi: The problem is that there are no jobs, so young

their parents.

people flock to Sapporo.

Sakai: One of HUʼ s strengths is its body of students from a

Arisaka: Biei, Furano and other areas also have beautiful

wide range of backgrounds, isnʼt it?

natural surroundings. I think young people would relocate

Yamaguchi: People in Hokkaido welcome outsiders, which

there if these areas had prospering industries, but it might be

has a favorable effect. While I was studying in New York, I

difficult to sustain industrial activity there.

often saw people from varied racial and ethnic backgrounds

Sakai: We need initiatives to help these places keep attract-

reading newspapers in their own language on the subway,

ing people.
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 201402

Yamaguchi: Weʼ re considering the establishment of a struc-they remain relevant to our objectives thanks to theirture to attract overseas students and researchers to HU inmodern significance. Frontier spirit is just as important insummer and to send Japanese students overseas. It might be

Japan as it is anywhere else in the world. Global perspectives

difficult to attract people from other countries to Kyoto inare also essential for everyday living because what happens

summer because itʼs too hot and humid, mightnʼt it?

in one corner of the world can have instant effects anywhere

Sakai: We hosted a work-on the planet in todayʼs age of globalization. All-round educa-

shop for students fromtion involves focus on the values of human culture. In theacross Japan last year. A

arena of practical learning, weʼ ve got to be aware of how thisprofessor who attended

educational approach is applied because sustainability has

said Hokkaidoʼ s cool

become a buzzword in the 21st century ‒ an era when scien-

climate increased his pro-tific development no longer guarantees a rosy world. Japan

ductivity. HUʼ s campuses

started on the path to modernization in the Meiji Period,

are ideal for summer

which ran from 1868 to 1912. I believe the key to successschool courses.

was education. However, despite the technological advances

Yamaguchi: Sapporo has a population of about two million,

made, intangible aspects of infrastructure have begun towhich is rare for a city with so much snow.

collapse. The development of these aspects requires innova-

Sakai: Efforts to use snow for cooling in summer are undertion: the playing field needs to be changed. To make thisway. I think the campuses can be used as living laboratories

happen, young people need to be aware of whatʼ s needed,

to see how the climate can be utilized.

which requires solid education. I want to promote initiatives

Yamaguchi: Zebra crossings have to be repainted in springthat will help to encourage people who come to HU to turnbecause theyʼ re scraped off during snow removal work. In

their eyes to the rest of the world.

this kind of area, the campuses can be used as living labora-

Sakai: I want the university to be more open to society andtories in deciding how to manage snow removal and use big

act as a forum for academic work as well as for discussions

data.

involving people from various backgrounds so that it will
send students with a broad range of perspectives into theworld.

Toward 2026 ‒ the 150th anniversaryof the universityʼs foundation

Arisaka: Since I came to Hokkaido, Iʼ ve been to lots of farms.

Yamaguchi: I wrote about a future vision for the universityof crops. Iʼ d like to be involved in the development of institu-

as part of a reform strategy entitled Future Strategy for thetions that will help to support safe everyday living.

150th Anniversary of Hokkaido University. HUʼ s four basic

Yamaguchi: If the principal roles of a university are tophilosophies of education and research ‒ Frontier Spirit,

engage in research and nurture future leaders, weʼ ve got to

Global Perspectives, All-round Education and Practical Learn-

accept that university research and education should meeting ‒ are the foundations for the type of university we strive

the needs of society. The current situation doesnʼ t allow uni-

to be. Even though these concepts were set in the old days

versities to continue business as usual. The Center of Innova-

when the university was still Sapporo Agricultural College,tion Program begun on HUʼ s North campus representsIʼ m worried about food safety, and especially about possible
contamination of farm products due to genetic modificationindustry-university collaboration in the true
sense of the term. On this program, HU works
closely with various companies in the fields offood and health. The university is striving tohelp create a healthy so ciety based on
research findings in medical care and pharmaceuticals as well as in food based on afuture vision for social development.

03

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

Overview of Hokkaido University s Sapporo Campus

Sapporo Campus

Opening Discussion Hokkaido University and its Distinctive Appeal / Overview of Hokkaido Universityʼs Sapporo Campus

Kita 8, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0808
Lands: 1,776,249㎡
Total building area: 764,254㎡

Covering an area of around 1.77 million square meters, Hokkaido Universityʼs Sapporo Campus
is a place of work or study for over 20,000 people and provides habitats for a wide variety offlora and fauna. HU engages in various initiatives using the campus as a living laboratory.

Hakodate Campus

3-1-1, Minato-cho, Hakodate, 041-8611
Lands: 105,149㎡
Total building area: 37,771㎡

Foreign Scholars’
Accommodation
International
House Kita 23

Number of Staﬀ
and Students❶ Poplar Avenue❶平成ポプラ並木

Center for Innovation
and Business Promotion
Creative Research Institution(CRIS)（as of May 1, 2014）
Number of staff: 3,920
Number of students: 17,909
Student breakdown:
Undergraduate schools: 11,649
Research institutes and centers: 65
Graduate schools: 6,195

Kita 20-jo East Gate

Institute of Low
Temperature Science

Kanjo

Elm T

unnel

School of Veterinary
Medicine❷ Hokkaido University Museum❻

Kita 18-jo Gate

Kita 18-jo Street

SubwayKita 18-jo
StationNishi 5-chome Street❸❸ Biogas plant

To Asabu

StreetGraduate Schoolof Chemical Sciencesand Engineering
International Student Center
Hokkaido University
Hospital
School of Medicine
School of Engineering

Ginkgo Avenue❹ Sakushukotoni River

❶
ma

iya

Ish

School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences and Pharmacy

eet

Str

Graduate Schoolof Health Sciences

❹

ute

(Ro

Graduate Schoolof Environmental Science)

452

Facultyof Letters

Center for Sustainability School of Law
Science
School of Economics Centennial Hall
and Business(Kyaratei Restaurant)
Administration
Administration Bureau
Faculty of Agriculture
Bust of Dr. William S. Clark
To

Ot

Main Gate
Hokkaido University
Information Center

❺

ar

u

JR

Ha

ko

da

te

SubwayKita 12-jo
StationSchoolof Education

Schoolof Science

University❺ Hokkaido
Information Center (Elm Grove)

Kita 13-jo Street

Subway Namboku Line❷

Kita 13-jo Gate

Kita 8-jo Street
Line

JR Sapporo
Station❻ Site of Old Village
0

100

200

300
m

To Asahikawa/
Chitose

SubwaySapporoStationTo Botanic
GardenHokkaido
Sapporo Campus
SapporoHakodate
Hakodate Campus

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 201404

Feature
ArticleIs the Frontier Spirit Still Alive and Well Today?

Pioneering Work and a
Chance Encounter
Leading to a
Haagen-Smit Prize
Kimitaka Kawamura

Professor, Hokkaido University Institute of Low Temperature Science
Kimitaka Kawamura graduated from the Department of Chemistry at Shizuoka Universityʼs Faculty of Science, completed a masterʼs degreein the Department of Chemistry at Tokyo Metropolitan Universityʼs Faculty of Science, and earned a Doctor of Science degree in the
Department of Chemistry at Tokyo Metropolitan Universityʼs Faculty of Science. He served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Japan Society for
the Promotion of Science (JSPS) and at the UCLA Institute of Geophysics and Planetary Physics (IGPP), and as a Visiting Investigator at the
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in the US. He assumed the post of Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry atTokyo Metropolitan Universityʼs Faculty of Science in 1987 before becoming a Professor at Hokkaido Universityʼs Institute of Low Temperature Science in 1996. In the same year, he also assumed the post of Professor at the Graduate School of Environmental Science.

Thrust into the forefrontof the ﬁeld

a Canadian researcher with Prof.

guidance of a professor specializing

Kawamura as its lead author. The title

in Lake Biwa he had researched

Ukichiro Nakaya of the Institute ofof the paper was Source and reac-

whether organic matter in sediment

Low Temperature Science was thetion pathways of dicarboxylic acids,

could be used to help restore thefirst person ever to create artificial

ketoacids and dicarbonyls in arctic

natural environment. After gradua-snow. The Institute was founded inaerosols: One year of observation. Intion, he went on to the University of1941 as the first research facility affili-

this study, the scientists monitored

California to continue his studies.

ated with HU, and has since pro-and analyzed air in the Arctic Circle

This was the time of early research

moted interdisciplinary studies towith a unique focus on organicon organic acids as a cause of acidmeet the needs of the times.

matter.

rain, and Prof. Kawamura was invited

In 2013, the Haagen-Smit Prize

Asked how he had dared to

to work in the field. Not knowing(given in recognition of outstanding

pursue such an uncharted path, Prof.

how to refuse, he began the work

papers in the atmospheric environ-Kawamura said he had not initiallyand met the Canadian scientist withment field) was awarded for a paper

been aware he was doing so. Duringwhom he would later write his prize-

written by three scientists including

his graduate school years, under thewinning paper. He said that he was

21
1. Haze layers seen from near the top of Mount Tai in China
2. High-volume air sampler and haze
3. Aerosol particles collected on a quartz filter by the sampler

05

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 20143

thereby helping to cool the earthʼ sopportunity and that it led to results

surface. The term PM2.5, which isworthy of a world-class award.

now well known thanks to news on

Feature Article 1 Is the Frontier Spirit Still Alive and Well Today?

pleased to have been given an

Chinaʼ s air pollution, refers to fineThe global warming
suppression eﬀects of PM2.5

aerosol particles with diameters of

The natural environment of theseem desirable, but temperatures on

Arctic Circle may seem pristine, but

the earthʼ s surface would increasein fact is quite polluted. Air contain-

significantly without aerosols.

up to 2.5 micrometers. Clean air may

ing impurities is pushed into theatmosphere over the region during
winter, and springtime sunlight

Living ﬁnite lives

induces photochemical reactions in

Prof. Kawamura also researches aero-

the air that cause a phenomenon

sols in Japan and China in addition

that an academic degree does notknown as Arctic haze. Sampling andto his work in the Arctic Circle. A Chi-guarantee job security.

analysis of fine aerosol particles innese student who wanted to help

When asked the secret to suc-the atmosphere at a Canadian baseaddress air pollution because of its

ceeding in research, Prof. Kawamura

in the Arctic Circle identified them as

effects on his family and others

highlighted the importance of stu-low-molecular-weight dicarboxylic

learned about Prof. Kawamuraʼs work

dents thinking intrinsically and view-

acids (a type of water-soluble

and contacted him in regard toing themselves as compounds oforganic matter) converted from adoing research at HU.

different elements, and added thatvariety of organic materials. The con-Prof. Kawamura encourages

centration of these acids in the air

students to consider how they

increases from late March to April.

should live their finite lives and carve

Atmospheric aerosols absorb

out new paths to the future even if

and reflect solar radiation as well as

they believe it is difficult forproviding nuclei for cloud formation,

researchers today to earn a living or

logical thinking and imagination are
also essential.

54

4. The Amundsen ‒ a Canadian Coast Guard Ship
(CCGS) operated as a research icebreaker in the
Arctic Sea with sea ice in August
5. Air sampler on board the ship

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 201406

Is HU in Tune with the Rest of the World?

FeatureArticleHokkaido University
as Seen by NonJapanese People
Do HU s initiatives toward internationalization appear to be
making progress in the eyes of
non-Japanese people?
An interview was conductedwith individuals from the US andChina, which have close connections with Japan.

Serena Forrest

Lei Wang is an Assistant Professor on the Economic
Policy Course in the Graduate School of Economics andBusiness Administrationʼs Division of Modern Economics
and Management. After graduating from Hokkaido
Universityʼs Graduate School of Economics and Business
Administration, she began to work for HU in 2014.

Serena Forrest is an exchange student from the University of
Massachusetts Amherst in the US. She is on the Japanese Course andthe History Course of the Japanese Language and Culture Studies
Program at the Office of International Affairs. She is also a member of
HOSUP ‒ a Hokkaido student volunteer organization supporting thereconstruction of the tsunami-devastated Tohoku region.

Amherst, where I chose Japanese as

in China. I plan to write a paper about

one of my majors. All students on theits characteristics and related

What made you come to this univer-Japanese Language and Literature

responses by the Chinese

sity?

Program come over to Japan togovernment.

Wang: I came to Japan as anstudy. Dr. Clark was an alumnus ofWhatʼ s the new environmental

international student to earn a

UMass Amherst, which is why the

problem?

degree and improve myself

ongoing exchange program was set

Wang: Groups of more than 100a c a d e m i c a l l y. I c h o s e S a p p o r oup. My other major is history, so I

elderly women dance in public

because Iʼm from northeastern China,

hope to be able to help promotesquares from 5:00 to 7:00 in theand Shenyang in Liaoning Province,exchanges between the twomorning and again from 5:00 to 7:00

which is one of Chinaʼ s Three

countries.

in the evening, or sometimes from

Welcome to HU.

Northeastern Provinces, is a sister city

7:00 to 9:00 at night. The problem is

Lots of students in these three

What are you doing
at HU?

provinces choose Hokkaido as a

What are you engaged in right

What activities are you engaged in,place to study. HU is particularly

now?

Serena?

appealing because of its good

Wang: I analyzed Chinaʼ s CO2

Forrest: Iʼ m taking lessons on thescholarly reputation.

emissions reduction policy inJapanese Language and Culture

economic terms on the doctoral

Studies Program. Iʼ m also writing a

degree program. Now I teach on thereport on the romantic novel

Environmental Economics andShunshoku Umegoyomi, or Spring

Modern China courses. JapaneseColors: The Plum Calendar in English.

people tend to think that China isnʼ t

I t ʼ s b y S h u n s u i Ta m e n a g a , a ndoing anything to control air

Edo-period Japanese novelist.

pollution, but weʼ re trying. In my

I hear you also do volunteer activi-

How about you, Serena?

lectures, I talk about the backgroundties.

Forrest: I studied in Osaka in the final

to pollution and the Chinese

Forrest: Yes, I do. I went to Tohoku as

year of high school and then went togovernmentʼ s policies. Today wea member of HOSUP ‒ a Hokkaido

the University of Massachusetts

have a new environmental problem

student volunteer organizationof Sapporo and has a similar climate.

07

Lei Wang

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

the significant noise pollution theycreate.

should make more of an effort to dotsunami-devastated Tohoku region.

so.

Iʼ ve believed since I was very young

How do you envisage the idealthat university students should dofuture HU?

something meaningful for society.

Wang: I think itʼs great already!

Just like the students who joined

Forrest: I hope the greenery in therecycling things that canʼ t be used

Martin Luther Kingʼ s campaign andcampus areas will be preserved. If

anymore. We have this drilled into us

protested against the Vietnam War,you go to a pond in the morning,from elementary school onward.

Iʼm trying to make a difference.

you can see ducks there.

Wang: HU has a power-saving

If you could change one thing, what

campaign, but electricity is always

would it be?

available in Japan. The same is true of

Forrest: Iʼ d install a drinking-water

water. Thereʼ s no shortage of these

What do you think of thefountain because there arenʼ t any on

resources, so people tend to takeuniversityʼ s internationalization

campus. People have to buy PET

them for granted. Rather thanefforts?

bottles from vending machines every

thinking that itʼ s OK to use PET

Forrest: Iʼ m often in the Office ofday, which goes against HUʼ s work

bottles because theyʼ re recyclable,

International Affairs, and I see a lot of

toward campus sustainability.

we should try to minimize their use

How can we make HU
a better institution?

non-Japanese people there. I speak

and ultimately aim to not use themJapanese with my Chinese andat all.

Russian friends, which is good

Forrest: Itʼ s true that PET bottles canpractice, but I donʼ t get the chance

be recycled, but it takes energy toto interact with Japanese students

produce them and fuel is also burnedvery much. If I want to join a club, forto get them to HU so itʼ s better to try

example, I donʼt know what to do.

not to use them. As part of efforts toWang: It seems lots of Japanese

Wang: Iʼ d like to establish an HU

promote campus sustainability,

students want to devote themselves

volunteer organization for overseas

UMass Amherst uses compostable

to study at HU, but it would be better

dispatch and international exchange.

disposable forks and provides new

if clubs and events were organized so

China has a non-profit organization

students with a reusable bottle

that they could interact withcalled Teach For China that provides

featuring the university logo.

students from other countries. This

support to under-resourced ChineseStudents in the US take pride in theirwould help them realize theschools. They recruit American

schools, so things with the university

enjoyment of international

graduates as English teachers, whoname on them are popular.

exchanges.

work in groups of four including

What kind of items or merchandise

Forrest: I guess exchange students

Chinese educators. Installing awould you like to see at HU?

tend to meet only Japanese students

drinking-water fountain is a good

Forrest: Hoodies would be good.

who want to interact with people

idea, too.

There are some things with thefrom other countries. This is good

Forrest: If you forget to bring a PET

Hokkaido University name in small

because it means international

water bottle, you have to either buy

letters, but it would be much better if

students have a chance to see that

one or just not drink. It isnʼ t about

the writing were more prominent.

Japanese people are kind andmoney. PET bottles are recyclable,

Wang: I think the design of HU

open-minded, but anybody whoʼ s

but isnʼ t the 3Rs concept known inmerchandise is too simple.

hesitant about actively interacting

Japan? Itʼ s about reducing resource

Thank you very much for comingwith people from other countries

consumption, reusing things andtoday.
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

Feature Article 2 Is HU in Tune with the Rest of the World?

supporting the reconstruction of the08

Feature
ArticleWhat is the Human Appeal of Students andResearchers?

New Learning to Turn
Crises into Opportunities

Takashi Miyazaki

Professor, Faculty/Graduate School of Education
Takashi Miyazaki left the doctoral degree program at Hokkaido
Universityʼ s Graduate School of Education in 1986 and became an
Instructor at the School of Education in the same year. He assumed his
present post in 2005.

Adventure-like learning
to overcome obstacles

overcome obstacles and achieve

assumptions and try new

their goals.

approaches.

School is not the only place for learn-Prof. Miyazaki sees crises asProf. Miyazaki argues that suching. There are various opportunities

opportunities, and believes thatexperiences provide a new type ofto learn in daily life and in the careers

people do not need to think deeply

learning, which is also related to aca-of working members of society. Prof.

when things go as expected. When

demic pursuits at university. He

Miyazaki at the Faculty of Education

things do not progress according tobelieves that whereas high school

specializes in social education and isplan, people wonder why; this is thestudy involves efficiently and effec-

absorbed in research with a focus onarea in which there is a need totively solving problems proposed bylearning support. His approach ischange the nature of learning.

teachers, university students need tobased on the idea that learning inThings may no longer work whenidentify problems themselves; thisline with the needs of the times

surroundings and social conditions

requires a more exploratory and cre-gives people control over the direc-

change. Some people are petrified

ative educational approach that cantion of their lives. Specifically, hiswhen confronted with an obstacle,

be seen as adventure-like learning inresearch is focused on the theory of

but this can be seen as an opportu-

a field of unknowns.

learning support to help students

nity to review tacitly acceptedInterview survey with a youth supporter at a youth support facility in Northern Ireland

09

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

Youth support facility in Northern Ireland (a downtown facility for practical training in hairdressing)consensus despite conflicting interests. He came to focus his research

Eliminating fearof setbacks

Prof. Miyazakiʼ s initial research inter-on the learning processes of fisher-

Prof. Miyazaki believes that setbacks

est was in deep-sea fish. When hemen, who developed a new mecha-

in life are nothing to be ashamed of.

was a first-year high school student,

nism to use resources and fishing

Anybody coming up against a wall

he was inspired by The Limits togrounds in a way that sets an appro-

should take a short break to consider

Growth, a 1972 Club of Rome publi-

priate balance among people, nature

their relations with society and thencation warning of a crisis threatening

and society when economic activi-

take a step further. This approachthe very existence of humanity. This

ties prioritizing market value had

helps people to find a new way of

inspired him to engage in researchreached an impasse.

life after the initial period of confu-

that would help to address foodHis current work on the theory

issues in the future. His studies onof social education and his past

deep-sea fish were an extension ofresearch on deep-sea fish appear tothis research.

be in wholly different fields, but his

Feature Article 3 What is the Human Appeal of Students and Researchers?

A starting point ofresearch on deep-sea ﬁshsion.

When he began his studies atunderlying ideas remain unchanged.

the university, Prof. Miyazaki realized

He believes that the globalizationthat food crisis issues could not beneeded in the true sense of the term

addressed on the basis of natural

involves human collaboration toscience alone. While researchingbuild a society in which all people

coastal fisheries, he focused on

can look back and realize that theircooperative associations in the

lives have been meaningful. Prof.

industry, which pay attention to

Miyazaki proposes that learning

French poet Louis Aragonboth the market and peopleʼ s liveli-

based on the review of past assump-

wrote that to teach is to talk of hope

hoods and have a mechanism bytions is necessary, and that universi-

and that to learn is to pledge truth-

which all stakeholders can reach aties are places for such learning.

fulness in the heart. Prof. Miyazaki

Life story research at a youth support facility inNorthern Irelandsays, “What matters iswhere hope comesfrom. It comes notfrom within, but from
relations with others.”
He hopes to continue
his pursuits in conjunction with students
in order to help build
a new society and a
new world.

Lawn in front of the School of Education
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 201410

Feature
ArticleWhat kinds of research beneﬁt society and how?

Life as a clinician inwaste management
Toshihiko Matsuto

Professor, Division of Environmental Engineering in the Facultyof Engineering
Toshihiko Matsuto graduated from the Department of Sanitary Engineering at Hokkaido
Universityʼs School of Engineering and completed masterʼs and doctoral degree
programs in the Division of Sanitary Engineering at the universityʼs Graduate School ofEngineering. He began to work for HU in 1983. He serves as a Professor at the School ofEngineering, the Director of the Environmental Preservation Center, a member of theSteering Committee of the Office for a Sustainable Campus, a member of the Committee
for the Safety Management of Chemical Substances, etc., a member of the Steering
Committee of the Office of Health and Safety, a member of the Executive Office onCampus and Environment Planning, and the Director of the Faculty of Engineeringʼs
Safety and Health Office. He also serves as a Director of the Society of Environmental
Science, Japan, and as the Chairman of the Japan Society of Material Cycles and Waste
Management (JSMCWM).

Optimization of holistic
waste management

management methods include

data analysis) toward the establish-

physical treatment (turning waste

ment of a comprehensive waste

Prof. Matsuto, who conducts waste

into solid fuels), biological treatment

management research in the Faculty(composting and methane fermen-

of Engineeringʼ s Division of Environ-tation) and thermal treatment

mental Engineering, recently identi-(incineration, carbonization andfied his role as a clinician in wastehydrothermal treatment). Regardlessmanagement. Medical specialistsof the method used, waste manage-

often treat patients with focus only

ment ultimately produces residues

on the affected areas, but theythat require landfill treatment. Prof.

should in fact examine the whole

Matsuto conducts research on waste

body. In waste studies too, it ismanagement processes ranging

important to consider all related pro-from separation to final disposal incesses as a system. These include

view of both hard infrastructure (e.g.,

waste generation, separation, collec-

experiments, examinations andtion, recycling, intermediate process-chemical analysis) and soft infra-

ing and landfill. It is necessary to

structure (e.g., questionnaires andoptimize waste management with aholistic approach. Based on this philosophy, Prof. Matsuto now looks at
all related matters, such as financial
aspects, environmental impacts andresidentsʼ awareness.
Waste, or garbage to use its
common name, consists of household and industrial types. Waste
Field survey at a waste disposal landfill site

11

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

Field survey at a landfill siteIn this regard, Prof. Matsuto

results obtained, he points out thatadvises students aspiring to besome waste management mecha-

researchers to view things with anisms have failed because the steps

sense of perspective and consider

involved focused on actions to be

objectives. Research involves thetaken after waste generation rather

processes of achieving objectives asthan before.

well as methods and results, which

Feature Article 4 What kinds of research benefit society and how?

management structure. Based on thein turn lead to further objectives. The

The involvement of realapplication to society inpractical learning

best research involves looking at the

Waste management research is adetermine whether the problem istypical area in which todayʼ s practicalstructural or associated withlearning is needed, and is anawareness, and must then identify

harboring regrets. This also applies

appropriate theme for HU because

the needs of the situation.

to research as well as to choices ofissue and considering what the
problem is. Researchers need to thenjobs and marriage partners.

practical learning is one of its basic

research. This style of learning is often

Optimizing the restof your life

there are two sides to everything. In

associated with university-industry

Prof. Matsutoʼ s life view is centeredaddition to thinking about goodcollaboration, but Prof. Matsuto

on individualsʼ optimization of theirthings in life, it should befocuses on the societal applicability of

future. There is no point inremembered that every gain has a

research results. He also believes thatwondering what might have been if

corresponding loss. Based on thisHU should continue to produce

you had chosen another option, forthinking, he encourages students tohuman resources that meet theexample, because you didnʼ t. People

observe individual fields andneeds of society as it has done sinceshould consider the future based on

carefully consider what is important.

its establishment.

the choices they made rather thanphilosophies of education andProf. Matsuto also believes that

Survey at a temporary storage site for debris from the Great
East Japan Earthquake

Survey at a temporary storage site for debris from the Great East Japan Earthquake

Composition analysis of tsunami debris from the Great East
Japan Earthquake
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 201412

Sustainable Communication
Hokkaido University (HU) promotes its initiative to serve as a driving force behind the development of asustainable society while maintaining communication with people from HU and elsewhere.

International Symposium on Sustainable Campus Creation 2013
■November 6, 2013 ■Conference Hall ■95 participants (42 from HU, 53 from outside HU)

The International Symposium on Sustainable Campus Cre-

ation of sustainable campuses in collaboration with local

ation 2013 was based on the theme Sustainable Campus

communities. The MEXT representative highlighted a plan

Creation in Collaboration with Local Communities. Lectur-

to position university campuses as platforms for exchange

ers were welcomed from the Ministry of Education, Cul-in order to make universities more open to society. Repre-

ture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the Univer-sentatives from the Polytechnic University of Turin and HUsity of Tokyo, and three European universities with which

detailed a comparative study on energy management andHU is implementing an international collaborative projectenvironmental impacts, and the VU University Amsterdam

known as Value Metrics and Policies for a Sustainable Uni-

representative spoke about policy strategies to promoteversity Campus (UNI Metrics). These are the Polytechnic

industry-academia-government collaboration.

University of Turin, the University of Cambridge and
VU University Amsterdam.
Representatives from the University of Tokyoand the University of Cambridge spoke about the
Urban Design Center Kashiwa-no-ha (UDCK) and theNorth West Cambridge initiative, respectively. These
practical projects are intended to support the cre-International Symposium on Sustainable Campus Creation 2013 Expert Conference■November 7, 2013 ■Conference Hall

■14 participants

The Expert Conference had the same theme as theWest Cambridge campus (which has been developed

International Symposium on Sustainable Campus Creation

based on real property management strategies), the2013, and was attended by researchers and otherregional cooperation agreement concluded between HU

participants from the Polytechnic University of Turin, theand the City of Sapporo, and other topics. These were

University of Cambridge, VU University Amsterdam,

followed by discussions on how universities can better

Nagoya University, Osaka University and HU. The event

attract the attention of the government and the privatefeatured presentations on the case example of the Northsector.

3rd Environmental Impact Reduction Promoters Meeting: Sustainable Campus Café
■February 4, 2014 ■Conference Hall ■38 participants

13

The 3rd Environmental Impact Reduction Promoterswanted HU to continue, change and try. The attendees

Meeting was held in an unprecedented style with seating

then broke into groups of four or five and discussed three

decided by a lottery. A total of 38 participants (10themes ‒ HU today, its unique characteristics and its

Environmental Impact Reduction Promoters, 22 Assistants

future ‒ in an amicable atmosphere at separate tables in

to Environmental Impact Reduction Promoters and 6

the World Café style. At the end of the meeting,

Facilities Department members) wrote down things they

participants wrote details of the HU they wanted to see in

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

will be reflected in future actions to be taken for campus

thoughts.

sustainability.

Sustainable Communication

the future on wooden votive tablets and presented their

Popular things to be continued and protected at HU
included the rich natural environments of its campuses aswell as initiatives to save power and water. Problems to beaddressed included on-campus vehicle speeds, buildings
not designed with cold-region specifications, and poor
cycling etiquette. The opinions expressed at the meeting

HU Candle Night 2013
■June 21, 2013 ■Area from the Main Gate to the Centennial Hall ■10 staff members, approx. 1,300 onlookers

The Sapporo Candle Night event is held every year totion). Around 100 candles provided by the Acacia Youthencourage people to turn off their lights on the night ofActivity Center were also used.

the summer solstice and slow things down for a while.

A limited number of cookies baked from local ingre-

The year 2013 marked the third instance of HUʼ s participa-

dients provided by Sapporo confectioner Kiki Corporation

tion in the event, and around 600 candles were lit in areas

were given out to visitors, and HUʼ s Guitar Ensemble Club

from the Main Gate to the Centennial Hall, where street-played live. All these con-lights, vehicle gate lighting and other lights were turned

tributions made the event

off. The candles, protected against the wind with tracing

a pleasant experience topaper, were designed by members of the Student Councilsee, taste and hear.

for Sustainable Development (SCSD; a student organiza-

Candle Making and Discussions on the Future at Kankyo Hiroba Sapporo 2013
■August 2 ‒ 4, 2013 ■AXES Sapporo (Sapporo Exposition Center) ■approx. 100 parents/children and groups (total visitors: 30,865)

The Kankyo Hiroba Sapporo (Environmental Square Sap-

highlight environmental conservation activities by NPOs,poro) event has been arranged and held since 2003 by anschools and civic groups.

organizing committee consisting of representatives from

This was HUʼ s third time as an exhibitor at the event.

the Sapporo Municipal Government and other organiza-

The university held a workshop titled Candle Making andtions. Its aims are to raise awareness of initiatives engaged

Discussions on the Future at which candles were madein by industry, academia, government and communities,

from waste tempura oil in conjunction with members ofpromote environmental business and encourage visitors to

the Student Council for Sustainable Development (SCSD),

take green action. The

and also exhibited panels and distributed pamphlets. HUʼ svenue featured sevencontribution was favorably evaluated, and some workshop

exhibition zones, withparticipants were even inspired to make candles at home

HU exhibiting in the

because the activity is not only fun but also eliminates the

Kankyo Yokochoneed to dispose of used oil. A total of 60 of the 200 candles(Environmental Alley)

made at the workshop were donated for next yearʼ s HU

zone designed to

Candle Night event.
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 201414

Development of Sustainable Campuses
HU engages in a range of initiatives as part of global efforts toward sustainability through research andeducation while acting as a role model for a sustainable society by using its campuses as living laboratories.

［1］Office for a Sustainable Campus

Issues". Regarding the third policy "Environmental

The Office for a Sustainable Campus works to develop a green

Impact Reduction in University Management", not only

university environment based on collaboration among its

environmental aspects and physical aspects but also

three divisions.

items in transportation planning and Space saving have●Campus Assessment Division

been set in this area. HU has developed university‒wide①Planning for the development of for campus sustainability

campus sustainability through implementing of these②Implementation of sustainability assessment③Planning of participatory programs

actions since April, 2012.

④Establishment of domestic and international networks●Environmental Impact Reduction Division●Sustainable Campus Assessment System 2013

①Formulation of environmental impact reduction plans

There are university sustainability assessment system②Promotion of energy-saving initiatives

such as STARS by AASHE, UNI metrics (see below), and③Application of intellectual assets to the campus environment

AUA (Alternative University Appraisal) by Hokkaido●Environmental

University Office of International Affairs. Our office

Preservation Center・Establishment of separationand collection systems for
waste and recyclable resources

drew from the above, focused on campus sustainability,
basic functions of sustainability education and researchand Living Laboratory, and students involvement, and・Collection, sorting and unified

included our own original assessment criteria. Thus wemanagement of information

completed Sustainable Campus Assessment System inon campus waste

2013. Our assessment system is comprised of four
categories: Management, Education and Research,［2］Action Plan 2012 for Campus Sustainability
and Sustainable Campus Assessment System
2013●Action Plan 2012 for a Sustainable Campus

Environment, and Local Community. The assessment
result from these 4 comprehensive fields helps theuniversity decide its future strategy for sustainablecampus.

HU's target of environmental impact reduction is toachieve a 20% reduction in CO 2 emissions comparedwith 2005 level by 2020. Our long-term goal until 2030
is a 35% reduction in CO 2 emissions. Toward attaining
these goals, "The Action Plan 2012 for a Sustainable
Campus" was formulated in March, 2012 as HU went
ahead of other Japanese universities.
This Action Plan is based on HU Environmental

ⅠManagement
Field
I-1 Policy and overall plan
I-2 Organiz a t ion toconsider sustainability
I-3 Financial resource
managemen

Policy. We have set "Education" and "Research" in area

I-4 Asset managementof the first policy "Eco-friendly Activities throughI-5 Facility management

Education and Research". The items for social
contribution and networking mainly have been set inarea of the second policy "Social Contribution throughDissemination of Information about Environmental
15

Sustainable Campus Assessment System 2013 (Fields and Sections)

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

SectionI-1-1 Education and research
I-1-2 Campus
I-2-1 Dedicated staff
I-2-2 Activities
I-2-3 Mechanisms to support policy decisions
I-3-1 Long-term planning
I-3-2 Securing budgets and acquiring funds
I-3-3 Operations
I-4-1 Community utilization of university assets
I-4-2 Servicing of university assets

I-6 Network to enhance sustainability
I-7 Personnel training
I-8 Procurement and contracts

I-7-1 Faculty evaluation
I-7-2 Recruiting talent
I-8-1 Procurement
I-8-2 Contracts

the meantime, HU and other universities were asked byField
Ⅱ-1 Education

Sectionthe Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andⅡ-1-1 Curriculum
Ⅱ-1-2 Sustainability Literacy

Technology (MEXT) as part of university reform initiatives

Ⅱ-2-1 Sustainability research
Ⅱ-2 Research

to serve as: 1. centers for regional regeneration; 2. public

Ⅱ-2-2 Living lab
Ⅱ-2-3 Practical community researchⅡ-3 Students

Ⅱ-3-1 Encouraging and supporting student activities
Ⅱ-3-2 Student participation in university management

ⅢEnvironment
Field

spaces; and 3) social models. Under the Regional Cooperation Agreement, a liaison and coordination conferenceof working-level officials was established. The agreement

Sectionis valid for two years and can be extended with mutual

Ⅲ-1 Ecosystem
Ⅲ-2-1 Green space and forest land

Ⅲ-2 LandⅢ-2-2 Other open spaceconsent.

Ⅲ-3 Public Space［Objective］

Ⅲ-4 LandscapeThe objective of the agreement is to contribute to regional

Ⅲ-5 Waste

revitalization by addressing community development issues

Ⅲ-6-1 Energy management
Ⅲ-6 Energy and resources

based on effective utilization of the resources and functions of

Ⅲ-6-2 Greenhouse gases
Ⅲ-6-3 Renewable energy

HU and the City of Sapporo.

Ⅲ-6-4 Other resources［Major areas of cooperation］

Ⅲ-7 Basic Equipment
Ⅲ-8 Facilities

Ⅲ-8-1 Environmental performance
Ⅲ-8-2 Indoor environment
Ⅲ-9-1 Flow planning

Ⅲ-9 Transportation①Surveying and research on a comprehensive energy policy
framework②Implementation of cutting-edge exemplary energy initiatives

Ⅲ-9-2 Pedestrians and cycling
Ⅲ-9-3 Connecting with the local community

Ⅲ-10 Use of historical assets on campus③ E f f o r t s t o p r o m o t e t h e r e g i o n a l e c o n o m y, e . g . , t h eadvancement of environmental and energy businesses basedon regional cooperation

Ⅲ-11 Disaster prevention locations④Other activities required for regional revitalization (community

Ⅳ Local Community
Field

development)

SectionⅣ-1 Collaboration between industry, academia, and government
Ⅳ-2 Community

Ⅳ-2-1 System
Ⅳ-2-2 Activities●HUʼ s accession to the International Sustainable
Campus Network (ISCN)

Ⅳ-3 Dissemination of Information

The International Sustainable Campus Network (ISCN) is a［3］Action Taken at HU and Elsewhere(Results to be Reflected in Assessment)

global network of colleges and universities designed to●Regional Cooperation Agreement on Community

on campus, facility management, college/university strat-（

Development of Sustainable Campuses

ⅡEducation and Researchsupport the discussion of environmental impact reduction

Development concluded with the City of Sapporo

egies and management, and other topics. ISCN has more）than 40 institutions in the US, Europe (e.g., Yale University

Corresponding to Ⅳ-2-2 Activities in Category in Ⅳ Local Communityof the Sustainable Campus Assessment System 2013

HU and the Sapporo Municipal Government concluded

and the University of Oxford) and elsewhere, and has also

the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Community

recently worked to expand and incorporate Asian univer-

Development in July 2013. This was because an HU faculty

sities. HU drew the attention of the organization bymember was involved as a Council Member in the formu-

making presentations at ISCN conferences and otherlation of the municipal governmentʼ s Sapporo City Devel-

places, and was asked to join the network. It did so in

opment Strategic Vision andOctober 2013 with the aims of collecting information

the Basic Energy Plan, andbased on a global perspective and reinforcing its collab-

HU was asked to collaborate

orative relations within the formulation of Long-

overseas universities.

term Energy Strategies. In
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 201416

TOPICSAwardsProf. Ryosuke Suzuki of the Faculty ofEngineering receives the Thermoelectrics
Society of Japan (TSJ) Outstanding Paper
Award

Mr. Yared Yohannes and Dr. John Yabe of
the Graduate School of Veterinary
Medicine receive Outstanding ResearchPresentation Awards

The paper was titled Computational Simulation of Ther-Mr. Yared Yohannes and Dr. John Yabe received thesemoelectric Generators in Marine Power Plants, and was

graduate student awards at the 6th SETAC Africa Confer-co-authored by Dr. Min Chen and Mr. Yuto Sasaki. Basedence in 2013. Mr. Yohannes conducted research titledon an analogy to a shipʼ s engine room, Dr. Suzuki exam-

OCPs in fish and bird species from Lake Ziway, Ethiopia:

ined the idea of attaching thermoelectric transducers to

Association with trophic level and human health riskinternal combustion engine walls in combustion cham-assessment and examined the ecological impacts of DDT

bers. He predicted related effects based on computationand other chemicals. Dr. Yabe studied lead poisoning inrather than combustion experiments and obtained novel

children from townships in the vicinity of a lead-zinc mine

results sug-in Kabwe, Zambia, and reported on the serious situations

gesting thatthat resulted.

fuel spray
optimization isrelated tosuch transducer attachment.

Faculty of Environmental Earth Science
wins the 2013 Energy Conservation
Grand Prize

Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). The theme of theAssistant Professor Tomoko Ohta of the
Graduate School of Engineering s Divisionof Sustainable Resources Engineering
wins the Hot Article Award 2013 inAnalytical Sciences

winning efforts was Power-saving Initiatives at a Graduate

Assistant Professor Ohtaʼ s paper, titled Aging effect of

School with Laboratory-based Courses in a Cold Region.

137Cs obtained from 137Cs in the Kanto loam layer from the

The Faculty of Environmental Earth Science won the ECCJ

Fukushima nuclear power plant accident and in the Nishi-

Chairman Prize in the Successful Case of Energy Conserva-

yama loam layer fromtion Category in recognition of accomplishments madethe Nagasaki A-bombunder the Facultyʼ s Environmental Impact Reduction

explosion, compared

Achievement

differences in under-

Project Using

ground migration

This prize is sponsored by the Energy Conservation
Center, Japan (ECCJ) with the support of the Ministry of

Visualization

behavior between the

Systems,

137Cs mentioned in thewhich has

title.

been in placesince academic 2011.
17

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

Support for eﬀorts toward international
certiﬁcation for blue shark ﬁshery in
Kesennuma

TOPICS Awards / Research

Research
Continuous monitoring ofsoil radon in woodland
A range of radionuclides are found on the earth. RadonAll parts of blue sharks caught by longline fishing fleets in(222Rn), the only radioactive gas in the uranium series ofwaters off Kesennuma are used; the flesh is made into fish

radionuclides, is readily absorbed into the body via thepaste and fillets, and the bones and skin are used in the

respiratory system and may cause health hazards due tomanufacture of health food and cosmetics. Fleet owners

internal exposure. However, it also serves as a usefulare currently working to obtain Sustainable Fishery Certifi-

parameter in the elucidation of lower-atmospheric move-cation from the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) to set

ment. The School of Engineering continuously monitors

their fishing method apart from finning fishery, in whichsoil radon in woodland on the HU campus to clarify the

only fins are removed and the rest of the shark is thrownextent and variation of radiation levels, related factors andback into the ocean. Specially Appointed Assistant Profes-

other considerations

sor Gakushi Ishimura of

to support the use of

HUʼ s Center for Sustain-

soil radon as a tracer

ability Science is leading

for the clarification of

the initiative to raise

air movement in the

global awareness of sus-

soil surface layer.

tainable fishing based on
the certification.

Energy conservation and CO2 emissions
reduction via a cogeneration network
Continuous measurementof radiation at the School ofEngineering

Cogeneration (the simultaneous production of electricity
and heat from gas) is known for its high energy efficiency,
and also helps to reduce CO2 emissions. However, correct

The March 2011 nuclear disaster prompted the School ofsystem configurations and operation methods are essen-

Engineering to start monitoring the radiation dose rate intial in maximizing the effectiveness of this approach.

the air on the roof of its building.

Accordingly, HUʼ s engineering and economic researcher

Minuscule amounts of radionuclides from the acci-groups have engaged in a research project titled Scenario

dent (131I, 134Cs, 137Cs) were detected until early April 2011,

Analysis of CO2 Reduction, Economic Impact, and Effective

but no impact on the radiation dose rate in the air was

Policy to Realize a Co-generation Network Systemobserved. People are constantly exposed to environmen-(commissioned by the Ministry of the Environment) in col-tal radiation from various sources, and monitoring contin-

laboration with industry and government partners sinceues as of September 2014 because information on naturalacademic 2013. The project is intended to develop

background radiation dose levels is expected to support

cutting-edge energy, environmental and economic sys-decisiontems inmaking in

Hokkaido.

e m e r gency
situations.

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 201418

Eﬀective Utilization of Energy and Resources
Hokkaido University Campus Ecology
Task Force (Academic 2013 Projects)
HUʼ s overall campus area is among the nationʼ s largest, and features an unspoiled natural environment aswell as playing an important role in preserving local
biodiversity. HU works to identify the species found on
campus and elucidate the details of their habitats, andalso engages in related conservation and creation
efforts. Projects are implemented in line with theuniversityʼ s long-term plan so that these natural
resources can be used in environmental education andhometown study. The projects outlined below wereamong those implemented in academic 2013.

● Campus ﬂora and fauna survey

Promotion of green purchasingThis survey was conducted around the School of Engi-

HU promotes green purchasing in line with its Policy forneering building (a location with limited natural sur-the Promotion of Eco-Friendly Procurement ‒ an initiativeroundings but a large number of recorded plant spe-based on the Act on the Promotion of Eco-Friendly Pro-cies), in the southern part of adjacent primeval forest

curement by the State and Other Entities (also known as

land, and at the Model Barn site (a location with a large

the Green Purchasing Act). In addition to its efforts to pur-number of plant species). This was the fifth year of thechase goods and services that are less harmful to the envi-

survey, and most of the originally targeted areas haveronment, HU also focuses on the procurement of environ-now been covered.

mentally friendly items bearing an Eco Mark or other ecolabels in the event that products complying with the● Establishment of a database

Green Purchasing Act are unavailable for the purpose at

The Task Force works to share collected data in a

hand. HUʼ s average purchase ratio for designated procure-viewer-friendly manner on the HU website, in environ-ment targets (i.e., the kinds of eco-friendly purchases to bemental reports and through other channels. In this con-prioritized by the national government and other entities)

nection, efforts are made to process data for the publi-

among all 271 items was 100% in academic 2013.

cation of distribution maps, flora and fauna photos,
inventories of growing species, and other related infor-■Major designated procurement amounts in academic 2013 and the related
procurement ratio
Itemmation.

Toilet paper

12,108● Promotion of growth in precious wild
plant communities based on weeding
periodicity adjustment

Paper envelopes (office supplies)

411,712The Yellow Star of Bethlehem (a wild plant indigenous to

Fluorescent lamps

ing is conducted after seeds fall. Accordingly, the Task
Force adjusted the periodicity of weeding conducted aspart of its maintenance work.
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

Sticky notes
Chairs

22,602pads
1,703

Printers (purchases + new leases)

544

Refrigerators

218

Curtains
Items of workwear

Procurement ratio for
products complying with
the Green Purchasing Law

51,854kg

Ballpoint pens

Hokkaido) is known to produce more flowers when weed-

19

Total amountprocured798
349pairs
3,007

Work gloves

3,528pairs

Printing (service)

1,267orders

100％

HU works to minimize its own environmental impacts inorder to support the creation of green campuses with zero
emissions based on the use of natural, renewable andother green energy sources.
In the second phase of HUʼ s Medium-term Goals thatbegan in academic 2010, the university set the target of◇Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by academic year
If HU had reduced GHG emissions by approx. 2% annually from levels
seen in academic 2005 (the base year for the second phase of theMedium-term Goals), GHG emissions in academic 2013 would havebeen 84,100 tons, representing a reduction of 8%. However, although
the reduction targets were exceeded in academic 2009 and 2010, GHG
emissions have remained above those of the base year level sinceacademic 2011, when the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred. This isbecause the CO 2 emissions coefficient for electricity has significantly
increased due to the shutdown of a nuclear power plant in Hokkaido,
and this has noticeably affected emissions because HU depends onelectricity for more than 65% of its energy needs. The universityʼ smanagement is currently considering new GHG emission reduction
measures.

reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approx. 2%
annually from the record-high of 91,270 tons set in academic 2005. If this rate is achieved, emissions will be
reduced by 20% by 2020 and by 35% (32,000 t) by 2030.
HU focuses on the indicators outlined below as partof efforts to reduce environmental impacts. The figures
show five-year changes in environmental data.
◇Energy consumption by academic year
HU constructed new buildings, renovated existing structures andreplaced/upgraded equipment across its campuses from academic
2010 to 2013. As a result, the total floor area of the Sapporo Campus
had increased by 5.3% (or 37,600 ㎡ ) as compared to 2010 by May 1,◇General waste generation (Sapporo Campus)
In academic 2013, HU changed its waste separation and collection
methods to promote waste reduction in response to an increasing
trend in the amount of general waste generated.

［Environmental Data］◆Energy Consumption by Academic Year (crude oil per equivalent in ℓ/ square meter of total ﬂoor area)
（ℓ/㎡）
80
70

0.18

61.2

60

12.71

50

5.82
2.19

40

（ℓ/㎡）
80

Sapporo Campus
63.9

0.17

13.26
6.58
2.25

62.9

0.17

11.63

63.1

0.15

11.72

63.7
11.18

60

40.33

20

41.67

8.88

9.31

1.53

1.67

1.36

40

37.5

36.6

30

7.69

7.71

2.14
6.94

27.67

26.78

27.18

29.22

30.02

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

40.68

41.67

10

2009

2010

2011

Gas (boiler)
Gas (general)

2012

Kerosene
Heavy oil（㎥）
15,000238

12,000

9,000

2,472

3,809

12,807
232

2,442

3,969

12,242

12,520

222

242

2,486

2,438

3,575

3,212

13,509
251

3,187

6,000

2.08

0.11

36.3

39.7

0.09

2.26
8.24

39.1

6,162

5,957

6,628

6,952

2009

2010

2011

Kitchen waste
Bottles, cans, PET bottles

2012

2013

Recycling waste
General waste

112,146

2012

2013

2,409

2,268

74,372

77,56372,404

88,149

2009

2010

2011

1,968

0

Sapporo Campus

Hakodate Campus

Note 1)CO2 emissions coeﬃcient used in calculations (kg/kWh)2009 academic year: 0.433 2010 academic year: 0.353
2011 academic year: 0.485 2012 academic year: 0.688
Note 2)The CO2 emissions coeﬃcient for 2012 academic year
was used for 2013.

◆Paper Procurement Volume（Sapporo Campus）
（t）
400

365.1

378.7 378.7

350

1.6

1.34

1.41

1.34

302.1 302.1

300

1.28

1.2

1.23

265.6 265.6
249.6 249.6

250
200

1.0
1.22

1.19

1.12

1.05

0.99

150
100

0.4

0.0

20,000Kerosene
Electricity

1.8

50

0.2
0

111,979

90,55879,83160,00040,000

（㎥/㎡）
2.0

0.8

6,939

3,326

6.8

0.6
3,000

0.12

2.3

◆Sapporo Campus by Academic
Year Water Consumption

1.4
3,117

2.06

0.08

Gas
Heavy oilElectricity（Sapporo Campus）
13,5490

2013◆General Waste Generation Figures

0.09

3,368

20

10
0

80,000

8.80

40.77

115,347 115,472

100,000

50

30◆Greenhouse Gas Emissions by
Academic Year（t-CO2）120,000

Hakodate Campus

70

0.19

TOPICS Effective Utilization of Energy and Resources

2014. The degree of energy use reduction per total floor area was not
improved from that of the previous year in academic 2010 due toextreme heat during summer and in academic 2012 due to extreme
heat in summer and cold waves in winter.
As part of the renovation, building air-conditioning was changed
from central heating based on the use of boilers in the power center toindividual gas-powered air-conditioning. Along with the addition ofcooling functionality, this significantly increased gas consumption.
Power usage also increased due to the academic 2013 introduction of
medical facilities with large basic units of power consumption (kWh per㎡ of total floor area) in the Proton Beam Therapy Center and the
Outpatients Building of Dental Clinical Division of University Hospital.

Changes in environmental data

0.12

0.22

0.22

0.23

0.23

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Well water

Municipal water

0

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Total procurement volume (t)Procurement volume of recycled paper (t)Note 1) Kitchen waste is generated by the university
hospital s food preparation facilities.

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

20

Facilities and the Environment
Completion of the Frontier Research in
Applied Sciences Building

New Outpatient Building, which was completed in August

In March 2014, HU opened the Frontier Research inamong clinical buildings via corridor connections to theApplied Sciences Building as a new center for research

Outpatient Building and the Central Clinical Building.

and education toward innovation in materials science.
The facility is intended to continue the tradition ofachievements made by Professor Emeritus Dr. Akira
Suzuki, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry
2010, and to provide education to the younger genera-

2014. Efforts will be made to achieve closer collaboration◆Building development policy
1. Intuitive user-friendly floor planning; 2. an infection-sensitive
safe medical environment; 3. consideration of universal design; 4.
safe disaster management planning; 5. easy maintenance andoperation; 6. eco-friendliness and reduction of indoor air contaminant presence

tion. It was designed with due consideration to energy◆Examples of energy-saving design characteristics

conservation, longevity,

・Reduction of CO2 emissions by 45% from facilities with standard

eco-material usage,
environmental conservation, the surrounding
landscape and safety.

hospital specifications
・A highly insulated building exterior with 75-mm sprayedpolyurethane foam for the external walls and 200-mm urethane
foam insulation boards for the roof
・Use of high-efficiency Hf fluorescent bulbs
・Reduction of fresh air load via CO2 sensor-based adjustment offresh air intake
・Enhancement of heat source efficiency based on the use of an◆Facility overview
・Structure and size: seven floors above ground and one
basement floor (total 10,430 ㎡ )air-heat-source heat-pump chiller for cooled water・Reduction of water consumption using water-saving
equipment・Three divisions in applied chemistry, applied physics andenvironmental engineering, each with laboratory research
spaces ranging in size from around 1,500 to 1,800 ㎡
・Space for inter-disciplinary meetings and discussions
・Development of laboratories for green innovation◆Examples of energy-saving design characteristics
・Energy conservation improvement by around 30% ascompared to a conventional facility with a similar scale・Electric power demand limitation to around 260 kW(similar-scale facility: around 350 kW)
・Optimum fresh-air intake control based on laboratory fume
hood operation・Lecture Hall with outdoor air cooling and CO2-based ventilation
controlTraﬃc environment improvement［1］Campus Master Plan and related issues
HU laid out basic principles for facility development in its
Campus Master Plan 2006 and established the Master Plan
Realization Task Force within the Executive Office onCampus and Environment Planning. The Task Forceexamines the improvement of traffic environments andthe development of related public spaces. To address
issues identified in the January 2012 Survey on Sapporo
Campus Traffic Conditions, the Task Force highlighted theDental Clinical Division outpatient
service integrated into
Hokkaido University Hospital s
New Outpatients Building ofDental Clinical Divisiontransportation modes (i.e., pedestrians, bicycles and cars)
and to secure related public spaces, and is currently
studying specific development measures in areas near the

The aging Dental

Clark Memorial Student Center and Kita 18-jo Street.

Clinical Division

However, measures in soft infrastructure (e.g., etiquette

was relocated totraining) also need to be considered in addition to

Hokkaido Univer-

regulations.

sity Hospitalʼ s21need to establish and separate flows of different

HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 2014

TOPICS Facilities and the Environment / Hokkaido University Environmental Policy / Sustainability Weeks 2014

Hokkaido University Environmental Policy

September 5, 2005

Policy Statement
Hokkaido University is a national establishment with a central role in Japanʼ s academic research and humanresource development (targeting areas such as researcher capabilities), and supports the countryʼ s knowledge
foundation for the 21st century. In this role, it is committed in all its activities to protecting the environment on
local and global scales and to building a sustainable society.

Basic Principles
Hokkaido University shall establish an Environmental Management System to implement the goals of its Policy
Statement, and shall set and achieve environmental objectives as outlined below in conjunction with university
staff, students and everybody else on campus. The university shall also make efforts to ensure that ongoingenvironmentally friendly activities take root by publicizing them on campus and providing relevant information to
the public.

1

Consideration for the global and local environment via education and research
HU shall foster the development of individuals with high degrees of specialization through the promotion of awide variety of educational and research activities relating to global and local environments, and shallproduce outstanding research achievements.

2

Social contribution via the provision of information on the environment
HU shall help to raise awareness of the need for environmental consideration in local communities and society
as a whole through efforts to educate and to make people aware of environmental education and research
program results.

3Reduction of the universityʼs environmental footprint
HU shall make efforts to reduce its environmental footprint via the promotion of energy and resource
conservation, cyclical resource usage and green purchasing along with thorough implementation of chemical
substance control and other measures.

Sustainability Weeks 2014

Core period: October 25 ‒ November 9, 2014

Scheduled events (partial list)
Oct. 15 (Wed.)

Why is Eating so Enjoyable?
（Graduate School of Dental Medicine）

Oct. 20 (Mon.) ‒Nov. 3
Open Access and HUSCAP(Mon., natʼl holiday)

Oct. 30 (Thu.)

Oct. 30 (Thu.)

Oct. 31 (Fri.)

Lecture Series on Disaster Prevention in
Hokkaido: Risk Management andDisaster Prevention in WinterSpecial Lecture: Ethics of Sustainability（Graduate School of Letters）

Open Symposium: Agricultural Life in
Urban Areas―Enjoyment of Plants and Idyllic Lifestyles

Nov. 6 (Thu.)

Symposium: Center for Regional
Economic and Business Networks―The Future of Manufacturing in Hokkaido

Nov. 8 (Sat.)

Nov. 9 (Sun.)

Nov. 25 (Tue.)The Role of Civil Engineering for a Safeand Sustainable Society: A Diverse Field
for the Diverse Needs of the Developedand Developing Worlds
5th Sustainable Campus Contest―A Bridge for a Sustainable Tomorrow(SCSD; The Students Council for Sustainable Development)International Symposium on Sustainable
Campus Creation 2014
―How can universities interact with the society?

Dec. 20 (Sat.)

Indigenous Heritage and Tourism:
Constructing Cultural Landscapes andIndigenous Heritage Issues※Events and schedules are subject to change.
HOKKAIDO UNIVERSITY Environmental Report 201422

Kita 8, Nishi 5, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-0808
Tel.: +81-(0)11-716-2111
E-mail: bureau@hokudai.ac.jp
URL: http://www.hokudai.ac.jp/

Sustainable Campus Promotion
Committee Members

Environmental Report Compilation
Editorial Policy

This Environmental Report was drawn up inline with the Act on the Promotion ofBusiness Activities with Environmental Consideration by Speciﬁed Corporations and Other
Organizations Based on the Facilitation ofAccess to Environmental Information and
Related Measures (also known as the Environmental Consideration Act) and in reference to
the Japanese Ministry of the Environment s
Environmental Report Guidelines 2012.

Organizations Covered
Hokkaido University
Sapporo Campus(incl. contracted business operators on campus)

Hakodate Campus

Period Covered

April 2013 ‒ March 2014

Field Covered
Environment

Issuance

September 2014(next issuance scheduled for September 2015)

Inquiries

Office for a Sustainable Campus
Tel.: +81-(0)11-706-3660
Fax: +81-(0)11-706-4884
E-mail: osc@osc.hokudai.ac.jp
This Environmental Report is available
on the Oﬃce for a Sustainable
Campus website at
http://www.osc.hokudai.ac.jp/.

Hirofumi Hayama

Executive Advisor, Executive Oﬃce on Campus andEnvironment Planning (Professor, Faculty of Engineering)

Masaya Sawamura

Professor, Faculty of Science

Toshihiko Matsuto

Professor, Faculty of Engineering

Yasuhiro Hamada

Professor, Faculty of Engineering

Takao Ozasa

Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering

Hajime Araki

Professor, Field Science Center for Northern Biosphere

Masahiko Fujii

Associate Professor, Faculty of Environmental Earth
Science

Noriyuki Tanaka

Professor, Center for Sustainability Science

Kimihiro Kato

Director, Facilities Planning Division, Facilities Department

Masahiko Nagai

Director, Sustainable Campus Promotion Division, Facilities Department

Yasuharu Nakanishi

Director, Facilities Construction Division, Facilities
Department

Printed with environmentallyfriendly vegetable oil ink.