Vol.56

A news magazine presented by Hokkaido University

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Litterae Populi Vol.56

Litterae Populi Vol.56

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R ec ent Ne w s f rom
Hok k a ido Un iver sit yContents

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Feature: Our Edges
04 Research Unique to Hokkaido University:
Arctic Research Center

10 Field Research: Tomakomai Experimental Forest
12 Hokkaido University Festival

Litterae Populi
Litterae Populi is a bi-annual magazine
with the latest news about Hokkaido
University. Its name is Latin for “lettersof the poplar trees”.

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An Inquisitive Mind and Frontier Spirit

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Refining Toxicology

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An Inquisitive Mind and Frontier Spirit

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Letters from abroad

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Campus Landscapes

Norio Hosomi
President and CEO, Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd.

Mayumi Ishizuka
Professor of Veterinary Medicine

Sadayuki Tsuchiya
Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

Keiji Yamaguchi
Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Lusaka Office, Zambia

Litterae Populi Issue 56. Issued November, 2016
Published by:
Department of International Affairs
Kita 15, Nishi 8, Kita-ku, Sapporo, 060-0815
pr@oia.hokudai.ac.jp
http://www.oia.hokudai.ac.jp
Edited by the Litterae Populi Planning and Editing Team
Cover photo by Akihito Yamamoto (HARE-BARE SHA-SHINN)
Photos by Hiromi Terashima (Kotoha-sha)
Production assisted by Morikatsu Sato (Morikatsu Sato Design Office)Printing by Sato Printing
Cover photo taken at Sapporo Agricultural College Farm No. 2

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Litterae Populi Vol.56

Picture: Gingko Avenue

Our Edges

Feature:   

Hokkaido University has developed a number of competitive
characteristics or “edges” which have helped us grow into
the university we are today. We look at these edges froma new angle while creating new ones. In this feature, wewill tell you about three of the edges that make Hokkaido
University unique.

Litterae Populi Vol.56

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Where Our
Feature:Our  Edges
Research Unique to Hokkaido University:
Arctic Research Center04

Litterae Populi Vol.56

Research Happens
Hokkaido University has steadily built up a wealth of
unique research assets throughout the past 140 years. We
systematically monitor research activities to match the needsof today's society,Photograph of the Northern Campus Area at our Sapporo Campus. Various research facilities can be found
here, including our Creative Research Institution, which
conducts research across all of our disciplines. In April
2015, we opened our Arctic Research Center, which ishoused in the building of our Frontier Research Center
for Post-genome Science and Technology. The uniquecurved building in the foreground to the left is our Center for Food and Medical Innovation, which opened in
March of the same year.

and endeavor to align the individual

research activities undertaken at our university with ourunique specializations.

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Edge 1: Research | Arctic Research Center: Research Unique to Hokkaido University

Professor Hisayoshi Yurimoto in our Facultyof Science is conducting empirical researchusing an isotope microscopy system. Developed by Professor Yurimoto himself
over a period of 20 years, the equipment
makes it possible to learn about how thesolar system and its moons came to be bycomparing the isotopic ratios of meteorites
and lunar rocks. In addition to discoveringthat the water on the moon was created by
a comet, the system was used to analyze
fine particles of the Itokawa asteroid thatwere brought back by the Hayabusa asteroid probe when it returned to earth in June
2010. The isotope microscopy system is an
open facility that can be used by other scientists. Researchers from around the world
have come to use the system, including
those from NASA.

Creating an Edge from a
Diverse Range of Research
How do you picture university research?
Perhaps you imagine scientists in white coats
investigating unanswered questions, or maybe you imagine

Our most recent studies include research on zoonoses(infectious diseases that can be transmitted from animals tohumans) and proton beam therapy.

stoic scholars holding firm to their convictions as they pushThis has led to empirical and field research inthe boundaries of their field. The common thread between

fields such as chemistry, life science, environmental science,these images is the belief that researchers conduct individualmaterials science and energy. These studies have significantly

research based on their own ideas, and in general this cancontributed to prestige of Hokkaido University, showing it has

indeed be described as true thus far.

a strong edge over other universities. We are now maintaining

University faculty members have produced many
results through autonomous research activities, and Hokkaido

the fertile ground from which such studies grow, while also
working on new initiatives.

University is no exception. Our faculty members have06

conducted a wide range of original studies, from Professor

Creating an edge over other universities

Ukichiro Nakaya, who studied snow crystals many years ago

In recent years, there has been a call for universities to fulfill

and once said that "snow is a letter from the heavens", toa variety of social responsibilities. This means that there are

Professor Emeritus Akira Suzuki, who won the Nobel Prize inimportant facts to bear in mind when conducting research.

Chemistry in 2010 for his research on cross coupling reactions.

Namely, as we carry out advanced research in a wide range ofLitterae Populi Vol.56

Feature: Our Edges

fields, we must consider our research notuntil now there has been no facility in Japan dedicated to Arctic

only from an individual prespective but also

research.

factor in the needs of modern society so that

At Hokkaido University, faculty members from ourour research can become even more relevant

Faculty of Environmental Earth Science as well as some from ouron a global scale. With this in mind, Hokkaido
University has begun a new initiative inwhich research is systematically monitored
to ensure it addresses these needs.

Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Instituteof Low Temperature Science and Slavic-Eurasian ResearchCenter, many of whom are Hokkaido University graduates, have

"There are a wide variety of studies

carried out Arctic research from their various perspectives. In

scattered throughout this university thatcollaboration with the relevant faculty members, the center

have a lot of hidden potential", explains Mr.

was established with the aim of making it a national center

Kazushige Kawabata, an Executive and Vice

for Arctic research. The center carries out collaborative andPresident of Hokkaido University, “insteadcross-disciplinary research which transcends the boundaries

of leaving it all up to the researchers, we are

between academic disciplines.

creating a systematic framework. We will build
this into one of the pillars of our university
and turn it into a major edge over otheruniversities.” The aim here is to support theautonomous studies of the researchers. while"In the future, we aim to pro-actively influence thekey themes for a number of fields at Hokkaido University, suchas those in agriculture and fisheries. We also aim to take the leadin ushering in positive changes to society", says Mr. Kawabata.

taking another step forward - assessing social
issues, setting key themes and gathering

Changing our relationship with companies from

related studies to create possibilities beyond

collaborations to cooperations

the scope of an individual researcher'scapabilities. In particular, this initiative
is expected to promote the smooth andIn addition to promoting top-down research, we have designed
an industry-creating course framework as a new initiative todynamic development of cross-disciplinarybranch out from old methods. Created in April 2014, this new

research and create solutions to current

system centers on the concepts of equal partnership and theissues. Instead of the conventional bottom-

sharing of goals and missions. This system goes beyond theup approach, this new initiative encourages

conventional model of receiving funding from companies.

an approach which seeks to resolve issues.

Researchers from affiliated companies are permanently
stationed in industry-creating courses in our graduate

New keywords

schools and institutes, where they cooperate with us in multi-"Health" is the keyword of one of our new initiatives.

organization industrialization research. As the university and

The focus has been shifted from medicine, a keyword

the company are on equal footing, with both parties taking

for research in the past, to health, a subject that has been givenon the responsibilities and risks, the studies are taken moreless of a focus in research. We have opened our International

seriously.

Center for Food and Medical Innovation as a center bringing

The

first

industry-creating

department

wastogether university faculty members who have worked on

established in April 2014, and research is currently underway.

various relevant studies, from studies related to food to

The format of industry-academia research has changed fromadvanced medical research. It is also a place where members ofcollaboration to cooperation.

industry, academia and government can come together withthe public in various ways to create the societies of the future.

Breaking the mold of research and opening new doors

With "together under one roof" as the key concept, the center

Our promotion of top-down research and the establishment

carries on a tradition of food-related research that dates backof our new course framework are initiatives which break theto our days as Sapporo Agricultural College. The building wascurrent mold of research. "Universities used to merely be a basecompleted in the Northern Campus Area in March 2015, andfor researchers. Now, universities must mobilize researchers

is used to carry out research across the disciplines of food andcollectively", says Mr. Kawabata. Mr. Kawabata believes that

medicine, centering on the home, to achieve healthy lifestyles.

initiatives such as this will "break the mold of research". Research

We also set up our Arctic Research Center in April

is shaped by the university, and this university is preparing for2015 to further focus on research concerning the Arctic region.

a new age.

In recent years, the Arctic has become a global concern, but

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Feature: Our Edges

Edge 1: Research | Arctic Research Center: Research Unique to Hokkaido University

Arctic Research Center
The Arctic has become a subject of global concern due toCulture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)'s Arctic

various issues that have surfaced in recent years. Awareness of

Challenge for Sustainability Project (ArCS). To further develop

the importance of this issue is growing in Japan, evidenced bythese strengths, we have applied to set up an Arctic research

Japan's Arctic Policy established last October.

network center (J-ARC Net), a facility centering on MEXT's

One topic that is often addressed is the melting of
the Arctic ice cap as a result of global warming. In addition to

Joint Usage/Reserach Center (JURC) that will create a network
between our three organizations.
There is a call for Hokkaido University to conduct

affecting the climate and ecosystem of the surrounding areas,
this may affect the environment and ecosystems on a global

generalscale due to its effects on the water and atmosphere cycles.

humanities and social sciences. "Various problems in the Arctic

Considering the potential effects on the fisheries industry andcannot be solved by natural sciences alone", explains Professor

the occurrence of abnormal climate patterns, we will not be

Saitoh, "general and trans-disciplinary research that includes

unaffected.

trans-disciplinary

research

betweenthethe perspectives of humanities and social sciences is needed

Meanwhile, we are also seeing advantages such as

in order to solve issues such as interests between nations andthe development of new resources and the appearance of thethe effects on the livelihood of the people who live in Arctic

Arctic passage due to the decrease in sea ice. These present

regions."

political and economic issues of their own, proving that we areindeed facing many serious issues.

In March before the center was established, twointerdisciplinary projects between the humantities andOur Arctic Research Center was opened in April 2015

sciences led by Hokkaido University faculty members wereto find solutions to these problems. The center is used as a hub

selected by the Belmont Forum in its search for outstandingfor 22 science and humanities researchers who have conductedsurveying and research projects for sustainability in the Arctic.

research about the Arctic. This encourages interdisciplinary

The Belmont Forum is an international research support group

approaches and aids initiatives to solve current problems.

that seeks to solve issues through collaborations between"This move is only natural when you consider our researchers'

multiple countries. Ten studies from around the world were

work and the fact that we are Japan's northernmost national

selected in this recruitment project. We were selected because

university", says Professor Sei-Ichi Saitoh, the director of theof our past research results and international network.
"We have great expectations to live up to, and it

center.
Our Arctic Research Center is part of an alliance withis for this reason that we want to make Arctic research one

the National Institute of Polar Research and the Japan Agencyof Hokkaido University's symbolic fields", explains Professor

for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, with each of the

Saitoh. Our excellent research record and geographicalthree organizations lending its own strengths. Last July, alladvantage are sure to result in a large number of projects

three organizations were selected as representative or deputy

significant on a global scale.

representative organizations of the Ministry of Education,

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and

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Arctic Research Center
Our Arctic Research Center consists of a Research Division and a International Collaboration Division. The Research
Division tackles various issues and comprises six research groups. It is staffed by faculty members from our Facultyof Environmental Earth Science, Faculty of Fisheries Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Science, Graduate
School of Letters, Graduate School of Economics and Business Administration, Institute of Low Temperature
Science, Slavic-Eurasian Research Center and Office of International Affairs.

Research Division

Atmosphere andHydrosphere
Research Group
This group studies thecharacteristics and dynamics of the currents
and sea ice in the Arctic Ocean and its surrounding seas throughboat based surveys
and using seabed so nars. The group alsouses their data to pre dict the effects thesewill have on climatechange, and evaluates
the effects that changes in the currents andsea ice will have on bio ta in the Arctic Sea.

Terrestrial
Research Group

Cryosphere
Research Group

This group studies organisms from plants
to large mammals,
unique environmental
features such as tundra and permafrost,and the interactions
between the environment and the organisms that live in it inorder to explore its
biological systems andthe effects on the environment. It also studies
how volcanic eruptions
and earthquakes occur,
helping to prevent disasters.

This group conducts
research on glaciersand ice sheets in Arctic
regions,
particularly
Greenland. In addition to direct surveysof the area, data from
artificial satellites andnumerical models areused to analyze changes and make future
predictions.

Environmental
Engineering
Research Group

Social Scienceand Humanities
Research Group

Satellite Observationand ModelingResearch GroupIn addition to pre dicting the economic
effects and environmental impact of using
the Arctic passage, thisgroup conducts extensive research on topics
from large-scale structures such as harbors in
extreme environmental conditions to thebuilding of detachedhousing designed forcold regions (such as in
Hokkaido).

This group evaluates
the effects of climatechange on the Arctic
environment and usage of polar regions,and devises laws andframeworks to protect
the environment. The
group also studies theeffect of environmental protection on thelocal population andstarts initiatives withlocal
stakeholders,
including indigenous
populations.

This group develops
real-time satellite ob servation and visualization methods andtackles big data science
relating to the Arctic.
It creates data assimilation systems using
satellite data, engages
in innovative researchand development concerningmodels forpredicting future phe nomena and supports
the sustainable development of the Arctic
based on these future
predictions.

International Collaboration DivisionThis division's research administrators (URA) coordinate
joint research with overseas research institut.

International Research Projects at our Arctic Research Center
In March 2015, two of our international joint studies were selected by the Belmont Forum*in its search for outstanding surveying and research projects for sustainability in the Arctic.
These projects have been primarily conducted at our Arctic Research Center since its opening.

Resilience and Adaptive Capacity of ARCTIC marine
systems under a changing climate (RACArctic)

C budget of Ecosystems, Cities and Villages on Permafrost in the Eastern Russian Arctic (COPERA)

Representative: Professor Sei-Ichi Saitoh, Arctic ResearchCenter <Joint Research with the University of Alaska(USA) and the Institute of Marine Research (Norway)>

Representative: Professor Atsuko Sugimoto, Arctic Research Center <Joint Research with North-Eastern Federal University (Russia) and the University of Alaska (USA)>This project aims towards a comprehesive understanding of
how the environment is changing in Hokkaido and the surrounding Pacific and Atlantic areas, and how marine ecosystems are responding to these changes. We request the involvement of researchers in the social sciences, stakeholders such as
fishery cooperatives, and distribution companies as we selectthe types of monitoring and surveys that are necessary and theareas where they are necessary. We also discuss the measuresthat need to be taken for future academic surveys to be conducted in the Arctic Ocean.

This project takes place in the Arctic and taiga regions of Eastern Russia, where permafrost is covered with vast tundra andforests. The researchers survey the carbon content absorbed bynatural ecosystems, the carbon content emitted by cities andsettlements, the relationship between the two and reasons forchanges in this relationship. They then turn the scientific data
they have obtained into usable information and disclose it
along with predictions of future changes. They also meet withparties such as regional and municipal governments to devise
measures in which the research results can be used to improve
the local population's quality of life.

*Belmont ForumThe Belmont Forum is a group of research support organizations and international scientific organizations in countries aroundthe world that support research on global environmental changes. The forum aims to accelerate and deepen the environmental research required to eliminate major issues hampering the sustainability of human society by bringing together researchers
through international joint projects and providing financial support.

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A Theme Park for
Forestry Researchers
Field Research: Tomakomai Experimental Forest

Feature:Field research has been one of Hokkaido University's foremost areas ofacademic exploration since the time the university was founded.
Researchers from around the world are now drawn to Hokkaido University
because of its research environment.

Ever since we opened in Hokkaido as Sapporo Agricultural

An intricately linked, well-balanced ecosystem

College, field work has been an essential part of our academic

The purpose of our field research in the experimental forest is

exploration. As our fields of study have broadened, Hokkaido

to learn about the various facets of the food chain, matter cycle

University has set up farms, an orchard, experimental forestsand ecosystem functions created by the flora and fauna of theand aquatic research stations to conduct a wide range of field

forest. The forest is not merely the home of each individual

research. Not only have these facilities produced a wealth oforganism; it is a place that has changed in dynamic ways as theintellectual property, our research environment has attracted

various organisms have interacted with each other.

researchers from around the world.

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Our  Edges

Tomakomai Experimental Forest stands on top of

In the suburbs of Tomakomai, broad-leafed trees

a layer of pumice and volcanic ash formed by the eruption

such as Mongolian oaks and painted maples grow togetherof Mt. Tarumae around 330 years ago. The topsoil, whichwith conifers such as Yezo spruces and Sakhalin firs. There iscontains nutrients, is only 5-10cm thick, and around 80% of ita total of around 2,715 hectares of natural and planted forest.

(the topsoil) is thought to have been created by earthworms.

Tomakomai Experimental Forest is the base for various unique

The density of earthworms living here is an average of 10 times

interdisciplinary studies.

greater than that of other areas. The formation of this topsoil

Litterae Populi Vol.56

Items from our Forest Museum, open to the public on the last Friday of every month (April to October).
Left: There are plenty of wood samples, as you would expect from a forest museum. The wood on the rightis from a 302 year old Glehn's spruce.
Right: A stuffed Yezo deer. These deer are only found in Hokkaido. Our collection also includes red foxes
and brown bears.

is complex, as is the relationshipTomakomai Experimental
Forest is one of our sevenexperimental forests. It is
located near the suburbs of
the industrial city of Tomakomai (population: around
170,000), with part of theforest open to the public.
Many people in the area
like to unwind by strollingthrough the forest or enjoying the vast expanse ofcolorful foliage in autumn.

gondola was set up in Tomakomai Experimental Forest.

between the plants that grow in it

Professor Hiura has been experimenting with newand the animals that feed on them.

methods since 1993. An example is his jungle gym. Made of

To learn about this relationship, ourscaffolding between the trees, the jungle gym makes it easy toresearchers partition off topsoil

perform work in the trees. It is used to observe the processes

around trees with steel sheets,that take place in the trees. Nobody had used a jungle gym

remove the earthworms by handfor these observations before, but jungle gyms have become

and investigate the effect on thea standard observation method now as they are relatively

trees. This method is possible

simple to set up and use. What started as outdoor researchbecauseonly

equipment unique to Hokkaido University has spread tolive under the fallen leaves on

experimental forests throughout Japan, helping researchers

the topsoil, not in the groundnationwide.

theearthworms

underneath. This is an example ofTomakomai Experimental Forest is visited byresearch that is only possible inresearchers from a variety of disciplines around the world,

Tomakomai Experimental Forest.

allowing them to network, come up with new ideas and start

Deer are pests that cause

collaborative studies. Professor Hiura is pleased with our rolefrequent problems here. Whenas a hub for researchers. "[It is] because I myself have a wide

there is not enough food for them,range of interests", he explains.

they eat the bark off the trees. The

Collaborations

betweenresearchers

build

layer just below the bark is used toconnections between disciplines and nations, just as thetransfer nutrients throughout theinteractions between organisms form ecosystems. This is one

tree. If the bark all around the trunk is eaten, the tree dies.

of the benefits of Hokkaido's nature-rich forest environment.

Populations of insects and small animals also decrease if

Exchanges between people leads to new global research.

undergrowth such as bamboo is eaten. This has been noted
to cause issues such as the soil loosening and being washedaway. Our researchers have fenced off one area of the forest
and are conducting studies that compare the area with deer
to the area without any. "But deer are not necessarily pests",
says Professor Tsutom Hiura, Director of our TomakomaiExperimental Forest. The natural world remains in balance aslong as there are only a certain number of deer. The food chain
and matter cycle between organisms are more complicatedthan people imagine.

The world's fourth and Japan's only forest canopy observation gondola. It is
30m high with an arm length of 41.5m. It
contains measurement equipment suchas a carbon dioxide density meter.

A research method developed by HU is now thestandard
Observation is an integral part of field research. Trees can growtens of meters high, and the area near the ground receives adifferent amount of sunlight and a different amount of waterfrom the roots compared to the area at the top of the tree. This
causes differences in the rate of photosynthesis, resulting ina variance in the size and thickness of the leaves. Ecosystemsof organisms living in the tree, such as insects and birds,
also differ, providing important information for research. To
observe these features, Japan's only forest canopy observation

Tomakomai Experimental Forest Website: https://tomakexpforest-e.jimdo.com/

The jungle gym developed by
Hokkaido University. Located between the trees and built
from pipes and couplings, thejungle gym makes it possible toobserve right to the end of allof the branches from the upper
trees to the lower ones.

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A Festival Full ofInternational Character
The Hokkaido University Festival is held in early June every year. As
our largest event, this iconic start to the summer in Sapporo is popularamong locals and tourists alike.

Feature:Our  Edges
Hokkaido University
FestivalThis year's Hokkaido University Festival was held at our

Learning about Various Cultures by Trying their Food

Sapporo Campus over a four-day period from the 4th of June

Our international students set up tents along the main street

4 to the 7th. This year marked the 57th Hokkaido University

near the Hokkaido University Museum, where they served

Festival, with 10 festivals organized by various classes, clubs,

foods from around the world throughout the Hokkaido

faculties, departments and international student groups

University Festival period. The stalls were planned and run bytaking place within our vast 1.77 million square meter campus.

the international students themselves as a constituent festival

Yuryo-sai festival was full of refreshment stalls andcalled the International Food Festival (IFF).

exhibits organized by the first-year classes in each faculty as

Started in the 1990s, the IFF is now one of the mostwell as by many clubs and organizations. The Science Festival,

popular of the diverse range of regular events in the Hokkaido

Medicine Exhibition, Health Sciences Festival, Dentistry

University Festival. For the 2015 IFF, 200 international students

Festival, Pharmaceutical Sciences Festival, Engineering Festival,from around 40 countries ran 26 wildly popular stalls, giving

Agriculture Festival and Veterinary Medicine Festival were held
to show the unique characteristics of eachfaculty and department, and international
students showcased and served theirnative cusine during our International
Food Festival.

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A stall representing Egypt, Morocco and India

visitors an opportunity to meet the international students
while enjoying food from their countries.
The students manning the stalls teamed up withinternational students from their own country as well as fromother countries (including Japanese students), creating adiverse group of participants. India, Indonesia, Thailand and
Bangladesh were particularly well represented, with around15 students running the stall for each of these countries.
Many of the stalls were from Asian countries, as students
from other Asian countries make up a significant proportionof our international students. However, there were also stalls
representing Azerbaijan, Germany, Poland, Turkey and Egypt making for a variety of colorful stalls.
The IFF is planned and run by the Hokkaido

Above: The Main Street is lined with greenery and runs north to south
across our Sapporo Campus. During the Hokkaido University Festival,a total of around 230 stalls line the street, drawing together both Sapporo locals and tourists.
Below: Alibay Mammadov, President of HUISA for the second year running. Mr. Mammadov ran a kebab stall at the IFF. "The stall was held inan Azerbaijani tent", he says, "some visitors visited multiple times inthe same day, or multiple days running. I could see that not only was
exchange taking place with the local people, a lot of international ties
were also being formed between international students from different countries."

University International Student Association (HUISA). HUISA isa planning committee consisting of 10 international students
elected by HU's international students every April. The
committee encourages international students at Hokkaido
University to support each other.
Alibay Mammadov, a doctoral student in the
Graduate School of Letters and President of HUISA, was able
to explain the key significance of the IFF: "It's good to see
people trying food from various countries and learning about
those countries' cultures." The Azerbaijan-born student led theplanning committee for the 2015 IFF. Planning began with arecruitment process in April, after which the committee helda succession of meetings until immediately before the IFF washeld, making thorough preparations so that everybody could
enjoy the festival.

The Syrian and Mongolian international students worked
together at this stall. The butter
coffee was particularly
amazing!

Many preparations needed to be made before thefestival began, including careful arrangement of the stalls so

Many students were involved in the running of
this big stall representing
the Indian international
students.

that those with similar food would not be grouped together
and the creation of a hygiene management system to prevent
food poisoning. It was also important to take measures toavoid issues related to the running of the stalls. The stalls could
only be represented by international students belonging tovisitors together, fostering close international ties. The passion

our graduate schools, and care was taken to keep restaurantof the students and the excitement of the visitors made for

operators out to protect the interests of the students. "Anothera lively Hokkaido University Festival, and we expect that our

purpose of the IFF is to help international students build skills

students' wide variety of arrangements will draw many visitors

by being involved in planning and running it", explains Mr.

to the elm forest again.

Mammadov. The hard work of many international students
produces an event that shows how truly diverse Hokkaido
University is. It also brings the international students and

The stall representing the Arab countries

The Polish stall

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Litterae Populi Vol.56

An Inquisitive Mind andFrontier Spirit

Guest

Norio
HosomiPresident and CEO,Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd.

Nippon Suisan Kaisha (known affectionately as Nissui) is Japan's leading marine products company. Its president, Norio Hosomi,
is an alumnus of Hokkaido University who
has built numerous business ventures creating a wide range of value from marine resources. In this issue, we asked Mr. Hosomi
about his memories of HU and his passion
for his work.

Going the Extra Mile:
Adding Value to Make a
Product Original
Litterae Populi Vol.56

15

From a young boy who loved the sea to a young man
studying fisheries sciences"I come from Miyazu in Kyoto Prefecture. It's famous for the
Amanohashidate sandbar. Since I grew up by the sea, I've loved
the sea and fish since a young age. I chose Hokkaido University's
School of Fisheries Sciences because I was drawn to Hokkaido.
At the time, the school gave us a lot of freedom, and there wasalso a close relationship between us and the professors. We
went to hot springs nearby together. At the time I entered theuniversity, a student movement was happening there. There
were no classes, so I spent all day playing mahjong in the dorm.
That might have been part of the reason why I studied so hardwhen classes started. (laughs)
For my thesis, I studied the survival rate of E. coli inwater. I investigated the rate at which E. coli decreases in isotonic
sodium chloride solution. I also remember that professors often
asked me to draw blood from rabbits in the laboratory. We had
to stick a needle into the rabbit's heart and take a little blood.
Because we were dealing with the live rabbits, it had to be doneright or the rabbit would die. Whenever I was asked to do it, it
felt so cruel, and I was always nervous about it.
I had planned on going to graduate school, but myfather was killed in a car crash. I had to go back to Kyoto foraround a month, and by the time I got back to the university
most of the employment exams were over. One of the professors
told me that I could still apply for Nissui, and recommended thecompany. This was how I began working at Nissui."Learning the joys of the job through challenges"The fisheries industry had hit its stride when I started working
at Nissui, as the fishing industry in the northern seas was still
thriving. My first job was to measure the level of mercury in theirmarine products at their central research laboratory. Mercury intuna was a problem at that time, so I was checking it all day long.
But it was during the five years that I worked here that I learned
how interesting our work can be. At the time, Nissui had been

"Sometimes you need to jump

using AF-2 as a synthetic disinfectant like other companies in thein the deep end."

We quickly began a project on how to maintain the same

-Takashi Mikami

industry, but found out that it was suspected to be carcinogenic.
quality of preservation without using AF-2. I was part of theteam for my experience in microbe research at the university,and the direction of the project depended on the researchdata I provided. It was very rewarding and interesting. We were
the first to solve the problem, and to this day we have the top
market share in fish sausages.

Takashi Mikami,

In my late 30s, I went to the US and worked with

Executive and Vice President, Hokkaido University

Unisea Foods for my experience in production and productTakashi Mikami was born in Hokkaido in 1949. He has a doctorate in engineering, specializing in civil engineering. He received his bachelor's andmaster's degrees in civil engineering at Hokkaido University, and was thenhired by Hokkaido University's School of Engineering as an Assistant Professor in 1974. In 1994, he became a Professor before eventually becoming
the President of the School of Engineering and Graduate School of Engineering in 2006. He assumed his current position as Executive and Vice
President of Hokkaido University in 2011. His motto is "go with the flow",
and his hobby is gardening.

development. At that time, we were producing and selling

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Litterae Populi Vol.56

imitation crab meat in the US but it was not going well, and we
started talking about withdrawing from the project. The CEO at
the time said that some of our food products staff should goover there and thoroughly investigate the situation. Our mission
was to rebuild Unisea Foods. A team of five of us spent four years

in Seattle from 1988, and managed to turn the company aroundso that it was making a modest profit by the time we returned toJapan.
At first I struggled with English. In meetings, everyone
would all start talking at once and I wouldn't have a clue what
they were saying. But after about two years in the US, speaking
English came naturally to me. I recommend people should
definitely go overseas if they get the chance. You can see things
that are completely different from in Japan, or, can see Japan
from the objective perspective points of view to the contrary.
Living overseas teaches you a lot of things that you can't learn
by being a tourist or staying for a short time."

Appreciating the bounties of nature and ensuring
the safety and high quality of our food"Nissui started a new mid-term management plan in 2015,
with a focus on adding value. An example is our Buri yellowtail
aquaculture. In nature, winter is Buri season. We approachedthis from the opposite perspective and developed aquaculture
technology that would allow the early collection of eggs fromthe fish. This allows us to deliver "waka-Buri", providing delicious
Buri even in summer. We have also succeeded in making theformula feed for adult tuna, and are making preparations to beable to deliver Bluefin tuna from a complete farming cycle by2017.
Of course, food safety needs come first above all
else. We have a quality assurance committee that meets once amonth. We receive feedback from a third-party perspective, andsome of this feedback can be harsh. However, by revealing
everything and discussing it, quality improves. We are constantly
taking this into account and I am confident that our foods havea high level of safety and quality as a result.
Nissui has five "genes" that are inherited since its
foundation: mission, innovation, global hands-on approach,and customer orientation. I remember that Hokkaido University
is built on a wonderful spirit as well - "be ambitious" and "be agentleman". "Being a gentleman" is particularly important. I lookforward to seeing upstanding graduates who break out of thebox and follow their own path, led by strong convictions.""The School of Fisheries Sciences
gave us a lot of freedom, which I
enjoyed."-Norio Hosomi

Norio Hosomi,

President and CEO, Nippon Suisan Kaisha, Ltd.
Norio Hosomi was born in Kyoto Prefecture in 1950. After graduating from
the Marine Food Science and Technology division at Hokkaido University's School of Fisheries Sciences, Mr. Hosomi began working for Nippon
Suisan Kaisha (Nissui) in 1973. He worked in Seattle, USA, then went on
to positions such as the manager of Nissui's processed food factory andthe head of Nissui's food production department. In 2003, he became a
director, supervising Nissui's fisheries and fine chemicals businesses before assuming his current position in 2012. His motto is "awareness comes
only through practice". His hobbies are golf, fishing and photographingwild birds.

Litterae Populi Vol.56

17

Refining
Toxicology

Field-based Toxicology and
Ecotoxicology

Mayumi Ishizuka,
Professor of Veterinary Medicine
Laboratory of Toxicology,
Hokkaido University Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine

Professor Ishizuka completed her doctorate in veterinary medicine at Hokkaido University. Her specialties are toxicology and ecotoxicology. She has been
involved in research on environmental pollution at the National Institute forEnvironmental Studies, and joined Hokkaido University as an assistant in2000. In 2010, she became the first female professor in the Graduate Schoolof Veterinary Medicine. She has received honors such as the Hokkaido University President's Excellence Award, a prize given to researchers who haveachieved outstanding results through their research activities. We can expect
even more from this pioneering researcher in future.

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Litterae Populi Vol.56

has become a significant problem since the by-productsof the mining activities pollute the area. Lead poisoningis also a serious problem. High concentrations of leadand cadmium have been found in livestock in Zambia's
lead and zinc rich regions. This environmental problem
is also a grim reality in other African countries, e.g., in
Nigeria, where 400 children died from leadpoisoning.
The toxicology laboratory staff. Collaboration is very important to Professor Ishizuka, who believes that research cannot be done alone. Sheadvises prospective researchers to become "someone who can deepen
their research but also look around them."

In the case of Nigeria, leadpoisoning had been discovered in livestock
before their deaths, and on talking to local
experts, Professor Ishizuka suggested thatthey might still be alive if appropriate

Drawn to Poison, Controlling Poison

environmental measures has been taken

Talking about poison would make many people shudder. We

based on comprehensive information fromare surrounded by toxic chemicals on a daily basis, but wevarious sources, including the veterinary

consciously and unconsciously keep them away so that we canfield. Mining pollution was also caused

live safely. Professor Mayumi Ishizuka in our Graduate Schoolby the Ashio Copper Mine in Japan.

of Veterinary Medicine studies poison and researches ways

"We must not allow this mistake toto control it. The field of toxicology is a relatively new field

happenof study in Japan. It seeks to understand natural poisons andIshizuka. Professor Ishizuka started adrugs, as well as the safety of various chemical substances.

symposium with African researchers inagain",

exclaimed

Professor

The whiteboard on the doorof Professor Ishizuka's room.
It is covered with her students'
drawings and resolutions.

Professor Ishizuka became interested in toxicology

2009 to ascertain the current situation inwhen she encountered the floral egg crab (atergatis floridus)

the area. The symposium is still being held

while studying at our Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine.

to this day, with more than 10 countries

Resembling a chestnut dumpling, this crab is found in the

now involved. To solve this problem, it is important to create

waters of Japan extending from Chiba Prefecture (near Tokyo)

scientific data on this toxin that is eating away at the people

to the tropical islands of Okinawa in the south. Its muscles

in places like Zambia and Nigeria and then raise awarenesscontain tetrodotoxin, the same toxin found in the famously

and educate people about countermeasures based on thosepoisonous fugu blowfish. Professor Ishizuka was intrigued

results. We need to work on putting the environmental

by the way this crab was able to stay alive despite the deadly

measures in place. Otherwise, the lessons Japan has learned

poison in its body.

about this pollution will go to waste.

Poison does not only come from living things.

Africa has a different social structure from Japan,

Poisons also exist in toxic man-made chemicals that are

and our team needs to work together with experts, officials

polluting the environment. However, being surrounded by

and various other people to improve the environment. They

poisons will not necessarily make an organism sick because ofare currently working with local authorities to find clues to thethe defense mechanisms found in the body. This is the theme

solution of this issue.

of Professor Ishizuka's research. "When we take cold medicine,

Professor Ishizuka says that her research in Africa

for example", she explains, "the ingredients are flushed fromis "rewarding work", and plans to continue working with thethe body in the urine after a certain period of time. The bodyother staff at the laboratory to tackle the issue of combined

removes toxic chemical substances by using enzymes to makepollution.

them soluble in water."
In some cases, however, an organism's biologicaldefense mechanisms become too strong. Super-rats are an
example of this. Rat poison has been used to kill rats in cities,
but 80% of rats in Tokyo area are now resistant to it. How did
rats build up this resistance? Professor Ishizuka is working withthe other staff at our toxicology laboratory to uncover the
mysteries of this defense mechanism.

Relaxation
Frogs remind Professor Ishizuka why she started!
Professor Ishizuka's treasured amphibian goods. Most of them are
gifts from students, friends, and acquaintances who know that she
loves frogs and other amphibians. Professor Ishizuka has loved themsince she was a child, and these goods inspire her to keep working
on her research when she is busy
with work or on overseas businesstrips.

How Human Society has Changed the Environment
Professor Ishizuka is also tackling research in Africa tofind out about the poisons people have made without
realizing it. On her arrival in Zambia in 2007, she was asked
to study mining pollution in the area. Although Zambia
has a prolific copper mining industry, mining pollution

Litterae Populi Vol.56

19

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Litterae Populi Vol.56

An Inquisitive Mind andFrontier Spirit

Guest

Sadayuki
Tsuchiya

Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

In this globalized world, universities are seeking to distinguish themselves andspread their wings. Sadayuki Tsuchiya, an alumnus of Hokkaido University, became
the Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology in August
2015. He and our President, Keizo Yamaguchi, talk about the frontiers of HU and thefuture of universities.

Keizo Yamaguchi: Congratulations on your appointment as 		Vice Minister.

It really made me think what a great place I was
studying at.

Sadayuki Tsuchiya: Thank you. I've met you several times 		Dr. Yamaguchi: I bet you also enjoyed the Central Lawn. That's a

before, but this is the first time I've had a discussion

popular place for people to relax, and it's an example

with you.

of Hokkaido University's great environment.

Dr. Yamaguchi: So, you studied in our School of Engineering,
didn't you?

Mr. Tsuchiya: It was very rich in nature, and that provided afertile ground for free thinking. When it came time

Mr. Tsuchiya: Yes, I studied in the Civil Engineering division. I

to apply for a job, the economy wasn't very good

didn't get into university on my first try and had toso I decided to just try whatever I could get. I took

reapply the following year. During that year, I read athe civil service examination and visited someone

political statement called the Nihon Retto Kaizoron

who had graduated Hokkaido University before(Remodeling the Japanese Archipelago). That wasme. They were working at the Japan Science andmy light bulb moment. That was what inspired me

Technology Agency, so I interviewed there andto enter civil engineering. I'm the type of person

received an unofficial job offer. It may seem like I've

who is immediately influenced by something that I

led my life haphazardly, but everything I've done

think is good.

has been something that I felt was important andDr. Yamaguchi: And then you studied at our new Graduate
School of Environmental Earth Science after you
graduated from the School of Engineering.

right for me.
Dr. Yamaguchi: Were there any events in your university days
that made an impression on you?

Mr. Tsuchiya: That's right. When I first started studying there,

Mr. Tsuchiya: As a student of one of the sciences, I was

the school borrowed buildings from the School ofgrouped together with all of the science students

Engineering, but later on we started having lectures- engineering, science, pharmaceutical sciences,at Furukawa Hall too. Furukawa Hall was very good.

agriculture and veterinary medicine. That meant

You can get outside by going out the window.

that my classes had students who thought about(laughs) Right outside is a statue of William S. Clark.

all kinds of things. In the year and a half before I

Litterae Populi Vol.56

21

started classes in the School of Engineering, I was

accommodation near the university. I think that thisin classes with people who were interested in all

distance from home leads to our students forming

kinds of things, and was discussing different topics

stronger bonds with other students and facultywith them all day. I think that as a result of this, it

Mr. Tsuchiya: Another edge that Hokkaido University has isapproaches once I got out into the world and had tothe diversity that comes from being a large generalthink of solutions to various issues.

university. Hokkaido University seems to enjoy new

Dr. Yamaguchi: This was back when our entrance examinations

things and give interesting things a try. It's also awere not specific to particular divisions, wasn't it? Invery laid-back university, so its power comes out

2011, we started a general entrance exam system

slowly and steadily rather than all at once.

that works according to that system. I believe

Dr. Yamaguchi: To this day, elementary school students arethat this is one of the merits of our university.

familiar with William S. Clark's exhortation, "boys,

It's only for one year now, but I think that it's very

be ambitious", and the students who come to us

stimulating for students to be able to spend timefrom outside Hokkaido seem to be drawn herewith people who have a wide variety of dreams andby a similar ambition. For these people to leave

perspectives. There have also been cases where

their homes and come to Hokkaido, we must have

Hokkaido University's edge over its competitors has

inspired them a lot.

become apparent. In 2012, the Nikkei newspaper

Mr. Tsuchiya: I have that impression as a graduate of Hokkaido

and Nikkei Human Resources conducted a joint

University, but as a member of the Ministry ofsurvey of business people's level of satisfaction

Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology,

with the university they graduated from. Hokkaido

I don't think that your results are quite in step

University was ranked first, with a 100% satisfaction

with your brand as a university that boldly takes

rate. All of the respondents replied that they wereon challenges. You have an image as a university

satisfied with us.

with a great frontier spirit, but I would like to see

Mr. Tsuchiya: I would definitely give the same answer.

you pursue new results that befit this and work on

Dr. Yamaguchi: Hokkaido University is one of Japan's top

becoming less restrained in the way you develop

universities - one could say that it's the best. Aroundyour strengths.

60% of our undergraduate students come fromDr. Yamaguchi: Nitobe College, our new school opened inoutside Hokkaido. The 40% from Hokkaido also

2013, has attracted attention from universities

includes many students from outside Sapporo who

all over Japan as a new venture. It is a uniquestay in student accommodation, so around 70-

program to produce graduates who can work in a

80% of our students are living away from home inglobal society, and is also distinct for its fellowshipKeizo Yamaguchi
President of Hokkaido University
Keizo Yamaguchi was born in Osaka Prefecture in 1951. He has adoctorate in science, specializing in differential geometry. He received
a bachelor's degree from Kyoto University's School of Science and amaster's degree from Nagoya University's Graduate School of Science before completing his doctorate at Kyoto University's Graduate
School of Science. Dr. Yamaguchi began working at Hokkaido University in 1978 as an assistant in the School of Science. He went on
to become a Professor in the School of Science in 1993 and then a
Professor in the Graduate School of Science in 1995. He then worked
in roles such as the President of the Graduate School of Science andFaculty of Science, Executive and Vice President before assuming his
current role in April 2013.

22

members.

came naturally to me to explore a wide variety ofLitterae Populi Vol.56

system. Students in the program work as a fellow

Mr. Tsuchiya: Your center for Arctic research is also an

for graduates who are working in a global society.

extremely good initiative, and reflects the uniqueIt's a powerful system that's very motivating forcharacteristics of Hokkaido University. In any case,students in the college. We also want our students

there are apparently many possibilities for Arctic

to challenge themselves in any way they can. The

research, and I look forward to hearing about new

things we try do not always go well, and I think thedevelopments in the future.

students need to learn that through experience.

Dr. Yamaguchi: You're talking about our Arctic Research Center,

Mr. Tsuchiya: People need to experience failure. It helps people

which we established in April 2015. The centerto grow. We need people to keep trying and not get

carries out collaborative cross-disciplinary research

discouraged the first time they fail.

to make active contributions to solving world-

Dr. Yamaguchi: We opened our International Center for Foodscale issues. We aim to make it a national center for

and Medical Innovation in our Northern Campus

Arctic research. Our collaborations with Russian and

Area. It's a place where members of industry,

Finnish universities are also sowing new seeds.

academia and government can come together with

Mr. Tsuchiya: Many Japanese universities are collaborating

the public in various forms to create the societies

with universities in Southeast Asia. So, yourof the future. Research is carried out across thecollaborations with universities in cold regions are

disciplines of food and medicine, centering on thequite unusual.

home, to achieve healthy lifestyles.

Dr. Yamaguchi: I believe that the key is to think about how

Mr. Tsuchiya: This is a very interesting initiative. You have madewe can make use of our distinct characteristics

health a unified vision and are coming up withas a general university in northern Japan to create aways to develop solutions. You start by pursuingunique edge over our competitors.

something interesting and then deal with the

Mr. Tsuchiya: You need to be the first to think of as many things

aspect of soundness second. (laughs) I would think

as possible. Globalization is not just about howthat this way of creating new value would makemany international students you have or how manyuse of perspectives and ideas from the arts, butof your students study overseas. I think you need to

Hokkaido University doesn't have any faculties forbe able to think strategically about which countries

art fields, does it?
Dr. Yamaguchi: That's right, even though we have 12 faculties- more than any other national university in Japan -and regions you will collaborate with.
Dr. Yamaguchi: Finally, what message would you like to leave
our students with?

none of them are in art fields. As a general university,

Mr. Tsuchiya: They definitely need to put "be ambitious"

if we did have such a faculty, we would produce a

into practice. I feel that that is something Japan isdifferent kind of graduate than before.

missing at the moment. I want the students to aim
high and give their all to a variety of endeavors.

Sadayuki Tsuchiya
Vice Minister of Education, Culture, Sports,
Science and Technology
Sadayuki Tsuchiya was born in Hiroshima Prefecture in 1953. After graduating from the Civil Engineering division at Hokkaido University's Schoolof Engineering, Mr. Tsuchiya completed a master's degree in environmental planning at our Graduate School of Environmental Earth Science. He
began working for the Japan Science and Technology Agency in 1979 andlater served as the Director of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency's
LA office and the Head of the Nuclear Fuel Division of the Atomic Energy
Bureau. The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, which Mr. Tsuchiya is currently the Vice Minister of, was established in
2001. Here, Mr. Tsuchiya worked in roles such as the Deputy Vice-Minister,
the Director of the Science and Technology Policy Bureau and the Assistant Vice-Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
before assuming his current role in August 2015.

Litterae Populi Vol.56

23

From

L u s a k a
Hokkaido University Office Serves as an Information
Center for Sub-Saharan Africans Seeking to Study in JapanW

e have an office in Lusaka, Zambia. The Republic of Zambia islocated in sub-Saharan Africa*, which
has been a highly developing area asof late. Africa has attracted attention
worldwide for its natural resources.
However, there is a need to address
the many issues affecting people in
Africa and the African environment asa result of this development, an example of this is how to improve the quality of life there.
Hokkaido University has
worked with the University of Zambia since the 1980s. Our involvement
began when our Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine took the lead in carrying
out Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA)'s Plan for TechnologicalCooperation in the University of Zambia's School of Veterinary Medicine.
We helped to start a veterinary education program there that has constantly developed over the past 30
years. This cooperative relationshipled to our Africa Office in Lusaka being set up at the University of Zambia.
Students taught by Japanese faculty
members have become faculty members themselves, and their students
have become faculty members too,passing what they have learned down
to each new generation. Hokkaido
University still holds a place in thehearts of these faculty members, and24

Litterae Populi Vol.56

we wanted to team up with them tocreate a new era.
We decided to place Studyin Japan coordinators at our Africa Office in Lusaka for the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science andTechnology (MEXT) as part of the Japanese government's "300,000 Foreign
Students Plan". Furthermore, two newcoordinators for Study in Japan (oneassociate professor and one lecturer)
and one new administrative officer
were also appointed. This office now
serves as an information center, providing information on opportunities
to study in Japan for sub-Saharan African people. Many African students
have dreamed of visiting and studying in Japan because of its advanced
technology, but have considered itout of their reach due to its distancefrom Africa. However, this office provides support to make Hokkaido University and other Japanese universities more easily accessible to thesestudents, and is working on initiatives
to bring outstanding African students
to Japan.
A laboratory for our Research Center for Zoonosis Control
was opened at the University of Zambia in 2007, providing a base for HU
researchers to study infectious diseases in Africa. HU researchers are also
working to improve the quality of life

in sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in thefield of sanitation engineering to provide clean water for people.
Lusaka is in the Southern
Hemisphere, and during the time ofthis magazine's publication would
have moved on from its cold, dry season into its hot, dry season. We hopethat you, too, will visit Lusaka andexperience "the real Africa". Marvel
at the magnificent flora and fauna,meet the friendly locals and take theopportunity to think about the future
development of Africa and ties between Africa and Japan in the future.
*The area of Africa to the south of the Sahara
Desert.

Keiji Yamaguchi

Specially Appointed Associate Professor,
Africa Office in Lusaka, Zambia
Associate Professor Keiji Yamaguchi graduatedfrom Hokkaido University's School of Veterinary
Medicine. He has worked as a veterinarian bothin Japan and overseas, and at one point taught in
the School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zambia. He is now working as a coordinatorfor Study in Japan.

1

1.

2

Can you spot the giraffe in the bush?

2. Giraffes camouflage themselves so they cannot beseen from a distance.
3. Intersection on Church Road in the evening. You
can also see a police officer controlling traffic.
4. Levy Junction Shopping Mall. This mall is packed
with shoppers even during the workweek.

3

4

Litterae Populi Vol.56

25

Campus Landscapes

Succulent fruits and clear autumn skies
Photographer: Akihito Yamamotoa

Our row of gingko trees lining Gingko Avenue was opened to the public on Sunday, October
25th, 2015. The first snow of the year began before dawn on that day. Those first flurries
greeted 3,200 visitors, who strolled through a tunnel of bright golden leaves that shone in
the sunlight on the crisp autumn day.
At the same time, the trees began to bear their autumn fruits in Yoichi Orchard(featured in 2014). Every year brings another great harvest throughout the orchard, withsweet, delicious apples, nashi pears, Japanese plums and grapes. The last fruits of theharvest are our Fuji apples, our slowest-growing fruits which ripen in the first week ofNovember. After this week it is time to begin pruning the bare grape vines, and as the days
become chillier, we will start preparing our vineyard for the winter.

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Litterae Populi Vol.56

b

d

c

e

a ・ Ono Pondb ・ The Hokkaido University Museum
c ・ Japanese archery facilitydd ・ Former School of Agriculture Libraryabe ・ Gingko Avenue

c
e
Main
Gate

N

Kita 13
Gate

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Litterae Populi Vol.56