Nature, Water, and Energy in Japan and Poland: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Environmental Awareness―Japanese-Polish International Symposium―

EVENT

SCHEDULED:

2026.07.18

TITLE

Nature, Water, and Energy in Japan and Poland: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Environmental Awareness―Japanese-Polish International Symposium―

CATEGORY

On July 18, 2026, Nature, Water, and Energy in Japan and Poland: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Environmental Awareness―Japanese-Polish International Symposium― will be held at the Conference Room, 12th Floor, Research Institute Building (Building No. 14), Aoyama Campus, Aoyama Gakuin University.

ーFrom Forests and Fields to Water and Energyー
Today, humanity faces serious environmental crises such as climate change and biodiversity loss. To address these challenges, it is essential to bring together interdisciplinary and international expertise. This symposium aims to share the distinctive achievements in environmental studies at Aoyama Gakuin University and the University of Warsaw, and to explore ways of addressing environmental challenges through cooperation between the two universities. More specifically, researchers from both universities will hold panel discussions on four themes in which the two institutions have particular strengths in environmental studies, while also taking into account the social dimensions of environmental issues. In addition, the symposium will also introduce environmental initiatives and sustainability efforts undertaken by both universities.

Overview
Date and Time	Saturday July 18th, 2026 - 10:00 am to 5:15 pm (JST)
Venue	Conference Room, 12th Floor, Research Institute Building (Building No .14), Aoyama Campus
Format	Hybrid format (in-person and online) *the URL will be sent to the registered email.
Program	■9:30 Doors Open ■10:00–10:10 Opening Address Prof. Uchida Tatsuya (AGU Vice President for Public Relations and International Collaboration) Prof. Ewa Krogulec (UW Vice Rector for Development; Chair of the Rector’s Team for Ecology and Climate Crisis at UW) ■10:10–11:25 Panel 1: Environmental Thought in Japan and Poland: Comparative Perspectives Prof. Komatsu Yasuhiko [AGU] The Forests of Poland and the Fields of Japan: Reflecting on the Space Between Nature and Humanity Through Literature ・This presentation reconsiders the significance of the interstitial space between nature and humanity through works by Mickiewicz, Tokarczuk, the Man’yōshū, The Tale of Genji, and Kunikida Doppo’s Musashino. Dr. Katarzyna Starecka [UW] Forests as Mnemonic Landscapes: National Identity and Nature Conservation in Modernizing Poland and Japan ・This presentation examines the forest in Poland and Japan as a contested space of collective memory and national identity since the 19th century. It traces the evolution of ecological thought and forestry management amidst successive stages of modernization, focusing on political and socio-economic determinants of both nations' responses to environmental crises. Prof. Marcin Zych [UW] Between Mission and Responsibility: Biodiversity Conservation in the Narrative of Botanical Gardens ・Although the primary mission of botanic gardens is to conserve plant biodiversity, these institutions often also serve as a link between the public and academia. This presentation will explore the challenges of communicating science to society. ◇Facilitator: Prof. Torigoe Keiko [AGU] ■11:35–12:30 Panel 2: Water in Japan and Poland: Resources, Culture, and Environment Prof. Sanjō Kazuhiro [AGU] What Japanese People Seek in Water ・This presentation attempts to explore, from various perspectives, what Japanese people expect from water and the characteristics of those expectations. Prof. Artur Magnuszewski [UW] Hydropower Energy and Artificial Reservoirs Development in Poland: Historical Perspective and Future Plans ・Poland has limited hydropower potential due to its relief and climate. The development of reservoirs and power plants began in the early 20th century, peaking in the 1970s. Future growth focuses on energy storage via pumped-storage plants. Although relying on a renewable source, their environmental impact cannot be neglected. ◇Facilitator: Prof. Horie Masanobu [AGU] ■13:30–14:25 Panel 3: Future Energy Perspectives in Japan and Poland Prof. Dorota Porowska [UW] The Importance of Renewable Energy Sources in Poland's Energy Transformation: Opportunities and Limitations Resulting from Environmental Conditions ・Over the last 20 years, Poland has significantly increased its use of renewable energy. Investments in wind, solar, and geothermal energy depend on environmental factors and are viable only in specific regions. Future challenges include developing nuclear power, small modular reactors, and energy storage. Meeting energy demands requires new technologies supported by scientific research. Prof. Ishikawa Yasuaki [AGU] Technological Initiatives for Environmental Harmony in Photovoltaics ・While photovoltaics offers the advantages of being a renewable energy source, it is also important to ensure that it harmonizes with the landscape, the natural environment, and resource utilization. This presentation will introduce technological initiatives aimed at addressing these issues. ◇Facilitator: Prof. Ishida Hiroyuki [AGU] ■14:35–15:30 Panel 4: Society, Environment, and Sustainability in Japan and Poland Prof. Matsumoto Shigeru [AGU] Demographic Change and Household Energy Consumption ・How do rapid demographic changes in developed countries affect household energy consumption? This presentation introduces findings based on data from Japan and Europe. Prof. Agata Dziewulska [UW] The Value of the Sense of Security in Society – Poland and Japan ・This presentation explores the value of a sense of security as a necessary condition for collective action and social resilience. While contemporary security strategies favor a “whole-of-society” approach, active citizen engagement is only possible when individuals feel secure enough to cooperate rather than panic. Ultimately, eroding security weakens social cohesion and amplifies instability. ◇Facilitator: Prof. Masumoto Kiyoshi [AGU] ■15:30–16:00 Final Session: Academic and Institutional Responses to Environmental Challenges Prof. Ewa Krogulec (UW Vice Rector for Development) Prof. Ishida Hiroyuki, Prof. Date Naoyuki (Director of the Library), Mr. Hatanaka Taishi (SANDS (SIPEC and SDGs), a student organization of the School of International Politics, Economics and Communication, AGU) [AGU] ◇Facilitator: Prof Sueda Kiyoko [AGU] ■16:15–17:05 Roundtable Discussion and Open Discussion with the Audience ■17:05–17:15 Concluding Remarks Prof. Agata Dziewulska (Rector’s Plenipotentiary for the ‘Green Thinking Matter’: Platform for Dialogue) & Dr. Katarzyna Starecka (Coordinator of the Polish-Japanese Academic Collaboration Platform) Prof. Warita Satoshi (AGU Vice President for Strategic Planning) & Prof. Koh Shinji (Leader of Subcommittee on Building an International Collaborative Research Platform)
Languages	English and Japanese (simultaneous interpretation provided)
How to register	Please register using the following online registration form.
Organized by	AGU Polyhedra: Environmental Studies
Sponsored by	The University of Warsaw, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Tokyo, the Polish Institute in Tokyo, the Japan Foundation, and the Aoyama Gakuin University Organization for the Advancement of Internationalization and Organization for Integrated Research
Link to the Japanese Website	Please click here.
Admission	Free and open to the public (Advance registration required)

CONTACT

お問い合わせ先

お問い合わせ先

AGU International Joint Research Platform Office

4-4-25 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo JAPAN 150-8366
TEL / MAIL

aoyama-gakuin@jtb.com
受付時間

CONTACT

事務取扱時間

青山学院大学の各種お問い合わせ先についてご案内いたします。