The 6th Inductees

　Shigeatu Hatakeyama

Chairperson, NPO Mori wa Umi no Koibito /  Professor of Field Studies and Practical Learning, Field Science Education and Research Center, Kyoto University
Born in Shanghai, China, in 1943. Mr. Shigeatsu Hatakeyama, as an oyster farmer in Kesennuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, experienced the devastating effects of red tides on oyster quality. Realizing that conserving the forest upstream of the river pouring into the bay is essential in regaining a sound marine environment, Mr. Hatakeyama formed Kaki no Mori wo Shitau Kai (predecessor of NPO Mori wa Umi no Koibito) in 1989, organizing deciduous tree planting by fisherfolk, and initiating environmental education for children. Mr. Hatakeyama’s activities, which have been instrumental in educating the general public that woodland, river, and marine environments are closely interrelated, are recognized as having made significant contributions to the implementation of environmental conservation activities.