In AY2026, 11 faculty members were newly awarded the title of Emeritus Professor of Sophia University, and two were awarded the title of Emeritus Professor of Sophia University Junior College Division. The conferral ceremony for Emeritus Professor titles for AY2026 was held on May 13.

At the opening of the ceremony, President Miki Sugimura delivered remarks and reported on the selection process, expressing appreciation for the achievements of the new Emeritus Professors. This was followed by the presentation of certificates to each recipient.

Following the presentation, Chancellor Sali Augustine delivered a congratulatory address, expressing respect and gratitude for the recipients’ accomplishments. The Chancellor also emphasized the importance of their continued involvement as members of the University’s intellectual community, and reaffirmed the University’s commitment to building on its traditions while advancing new initiatives and contributing to a better future.

Finally, Emeritus Professor Masayuki Fujimura delivered remarks on behalf of the newly appointed Emeritus Professors. Referring to the phrase “Life is like a relay race,” he described life and learning as a process of passing the baton from one generation to the next, noting that his own baton has been handed on to faculty and to the students who have graduated.

He also expressed his wish to continue supporting the University alongside them, even after passing the baton, likening this to running together within the relay zone. Acknowledging challenges such as rapid demographic changes and an uncertain socio-political environment, he conveyed his hope for the continued development of Sophia University and Sophia School Corporation, as well as his intention to remain involved in supporting their future as an Emeritus Professor. He concluded by expressing his sincere gratitude to all those who have supported him throughout his career.

A reception was held following the ceremony, attended by the President, the Chancellor, Vice Presidents, and current Emeritus Professors, to celebrate the appointment of the new Emeritus Professors.

The names of the newly appointed Emeritus Professors for this academic year are as follows:
( ) indicates their affiliation and title at the time of retirement.

Yasushi Hirosato (Specially Appointed Professor, Sophia University)
Ichiro Mitsunobu (Special Contract Professor, Faculty of Theology)
Masayuki Sema (Special Contract Professor, Faculty of Humanities)
Tomoyuki Iino (Special Contract Professor, Faculty of Humanities)
Takashi Okada (Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences)
Masayuki Fujimura (Special Contract Professor, Faculty of Human Sciences)
Atsushi Ichinose (Professor, Faculty of Foreign Studies)
Yasuko Tsuru (Professor, Faculty of Global Studies)
David Slater (Special Contract Professor, Faculty of Liberal Arts)
Shigeki Yasumasu (Special Contract Professor, Faculty of Science and Technology)
Naoki Fukui (Special Contract Professor, Graduate School of Languages and Linguistics)
Sachiko Kondo (Special Contract Professor, Sophia University Junior College Division)
Hirokazu Tangi (Professor, Sophia University Junior College Division)

I wanted to improve my English skills and broaden my perspective so that, if I become an English teacher in the future, I can better understand and support students from diverse backgrounds. To achieve this, I felt it was important to immerse myself in an English-speaking environment where Japanese was not commonly spoken and to experience life as a minority myself.

I wanted to study literature written by Native American and African American authors while also learning about the social and historical contexts behind their work, which led me to choose the United States. I also felt that Seattle, known for its racial, ethnic, and gender diversity, would be the perfect place to further broaden my perspective.

Since it was my first time living as a minority and as an international student from Japan, I worried about whether I would be able to fit in. However, both professors and local students were patient and supportive, even when my English was not perfect, both inside and outside the classroom.

To make up for my limited English skills and keep up with classes, I studied American literary history in greater depth, building on what I had previously learned at Sophia University. Looking back, I wish I had improved my conversational English skills and gained more knowledge about related social issues beforehand, as it would have enriched both my academic experience and personal interactions.

In class, students were expected to actively share their opinions and contribute to discussions. In Japan, I often felt comfortable blending in with others, but in Seattle, unique and original perspectives were valued and even encouraged.

I joined a taiko drumming club and worked together with local students to create performances. To improve the quality of our performances, we discussed musical expression in depth and designed practice routines that included not only basic drills but also physical training.

I was deeply impressed by how strongly people valued not judging others solely based on their social identities. For example, it was common for members of the LGBTQ+ community to introduce themselves using their preferred pronouns and express themselves freely through fashion and personal style.

Because of my limited English skills, I initially struggled to fully understand lectures and participate confidently in discussions. To overcome this, I prepared thoroughly before each class so that I can share my perspectives as a Japanese/international student that are unique. I also met with professors outside of class for them to understand my background then I felt more comfortable expressing my opinions in the classroom.

Experiencing life as a minority for the first time made me realize how fortunate and comfortable my life in Japan had been. Every act of kindness I received inspired me to become someone who can support and empathize with people from diverse backgrounds in the future.

My understanding of social identity deepened significantly, and I learned how important it is to stay proactive and to seek opportunities to expand my possibilities. Moving forward, I hope to continue supporting people with different values and backgrounds while remaining resilient in challenging situations.

Studying abroad offers opportunities to gain perspectives and experiences that are difficult to encounter in Japan within such a short period of time. If you want to expand your potential and contribute to creating a more open and inclusive society, I encourage you to take on the challenge.

Environmental conservation is one of the most pressing debates across the world. For decades, it has often been viewed as a choice between strict government regulation and voluntary community action. However, a new research study on the conservation of Tokyo’s Zushi-Onoji satoyama introduces a more effective approach that combines both.

Professor Mikiko Sugiura from the Graduate School of Global Studies/Center for Global Education and Discovery, Sophia University, Japan, introduces the concept of “gentle power,” a new framework that explains how ecosystems can be protected through trust, collaboration, and shared expertise rather than only rules and regulations.

The concept emerges from a 40-year case study of satoyama conservation in Tokyo’s Zushi-Onoji area, where local farmers, government agencies, and citizen volunteers have worked together to sustain wetlands, rice paddies, forests, and endangered wildlife. The findings of the study were published in Volume 8 of the journal Frontiers in Water on March 4, 2026.

The research focuses on the traditional Japanese satoyama landscape, a mosaic of forests, wetlands, and rice paddies shaped by generations of human involvement. These landscapes are ecologically significant because they support rich biodiversity while also maintaining water cycles and agricultural productivity (also called the hydrosocial cycle).

Prof. Sugiura explains, “Interestingly, biodiversity in satoyama is not sustained by untouched nature, but by the enduring relationship between people and the landscape.”

By combining document analysis and participant observation spanning from 2022 to 2025, Prof. Sugiura examined how the Zushi-Onoji Conservation Area evolved over four decades. The study observed changes in governance from early conflict over land restrictions in the late 1970s to a more collaborative system.

Local actors strategically engaged with existing legal frameworks to achieve bottom-up institutional change—securing tax relief measures and proposing a commissioned management system that formally transferred conservation authority from external contractors to the local farmers’ association. This process exemplifies how gentle power functions through collaborative restructuring grounded in the legitimacy of conservation practice, rather than coercion or confrontation.

What emerged was a new understanding of power in conservation. Rather than relying on regulations alone, local expertise became important for ecosystem management. Traditional knowledge of seasonal water control, paddy field temperature regulation, and habitat maintenance contributed by farmers was gradually recognized by authorities as essential scientific and ecological expertise.

This approach led to increased ecological benefits. The area continues to support endangered amphibian species listed in Tokyo’s Red Data Book, including the Tokyo Daruma Frog, Japanese fire-bellied newt, and Tokyo salamander. The study also emphasizes traditional intermittent irrigation practices called Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD), which may help reduce methane emissions from rice cultivation, linking local conservation to climate mitigation goals.

Prof. Sugiura notes, “What makes gentle power effective is that influence comes not from formal authority, but from proven knowledge, mutual trust, and visible ecological outcomes.”

While the study offers promising insights, the author acknowledges its limitations and calls for comparative research across diverse ecological and cultural contexts. But at the same time, it provides practical guidance for local governments and conservation organizations seeking to support community-based environmental management without relying solely on top-down regulation, positioning people as ecological partners rather than threats.

In an era increasingly shaped by climate change, urbanization, and biodiversity loss, the research offers a new way of thinking about conservation through trust-based collaboration and shared responsibility.

Looking ahead, Prof. Sugiura highlights an urgent concern, “As rice paddies and satoyama continue to disappear, the ecological knowledge embedded in human–nature relationships also risks being lost.” By emphasizing the value of local knowledge, seasonal practices, and adaptive learning, the research makes a strong case for nurturing these relationships now as a more resilient model for conservation in the years to come.

Dr. Mikiko Sugiura is a Professor at the Graduate School of Global Studies and is also affiliated with the Center for Global Education and Discovery at Sophia University, Japan. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a PhD in International Studies from The University of Tokyo, Japan, as well as a BA in Comparative Culture from Sophia University.

Her research interests include sustainable resource management, water governance, agricultural water use, institutional approaches to water rights and commons governance, and human–nature relationships, particularly in satoyama landscapes. Her academic profile includes multiple journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers, focusing on environmental and sustainability studies.

Funding Information

This work was supported by JST/JICA, SATREPS (Grant Number JPMJSA2301, “Securing the Sustainability of Oasis Societies Associated with Water and Land Use in the Western Desert”).

Media Contact

Office of Public Relations, Sophia University

sophiapr-co@sophia.ac.jp

How ideas, knowledge, and real‑world experiences connected throughout my study abroad

――What inspired you to enroll in the Faculty of Economics at Sophia University?

I spent my high school years in Hokkaido, where I was part of a close－knit class of just ten classmates. This environment gave me many opportunities to share my ideas through presentations and to take part in planning and carrying out various projects. At our school festival, for instance, we sold fair-trade products, and we also organized a campaign to bring a blood donation bus to campus. These hands-on activities were both meaningful and enjoyable, sparking my interest in marketing and ultimately guiding me to pursue studies in the Faculty of Economics. I was also inspired by a senior I admired who was studying at Sophia University, and seeing her there encouraged me to follow the same path.

――What inspired you to pursue a study-abroad experience?

My decision to study abroad was shaped by a major international sporting event held in Tokyo. I had been scheduled to work at the opening ceremony as a part-time staff member, but when the event was held without spectators, my role was cancelled. That day, I watched the ceremony on TV and was deeply moved by the sight of athletes and national flags from around the world. It sparked a strong desire to travel abroad and connect with people from different cultures. I chose Italy as my destination because I was studying Italian as a second language. With the application deadline approaching, meeting the requirements of my chosen university was not easy, and I remember dedicating myself to intensive English study during that period.

――What kinds of experiences and learning did you gain while studying abroad?

I studied abroad in Milan for about one year, beginning in the autumn semester of my third year. While there, I intentionally chose fashion-related courses that combined management with Milan’s distinctive strengths as a global fashion center. Throughout my time abroad, I experienced many moments in which classroom knowledge connected with real-world situations. I felt a sense of accomplishment when my Italian was understood in everyday conversations, and I was deeply moved by seeing famous works of art that I had previously studied in my world history classes. Looking back, I feel that this experience allowed me to plant many seeds－connections and perspectives that may grow and shape my future.

――What experiences from your study abroad were especially memorable for you?

One of the most memorable experiences during my study abroad was traveling to 20 countries as a backpacker. While I had always admired glamorous courtly cultures, I was surprised to discover that visiting historic sites such as old castles excited me the most.

I was also impressed by transportation systems that allow people to travel across different countries using a single card, which gave me new ideas about how society can become more convenient. This experience later influenced my career path and helped me recognize information technology as a possible way to contribute to manufacturing.

Applying what I learned in Italy to manufacturing that contributes to society

――How did you approach your job search?

I returned to Japan from Italy in August of my fourth year and had already decided to postpone graduation to focus on my job search. Although I had not yet chosen a specific industry, I was clear that I wanted to work in manufacturing.

During this time, the Career Center provided invaluable support. In my first advising session, I came prepared to discuss the experiences I focused on at university, as well as my motivations for applying, and described communication skills as my main strength. The advisor, however, helped me realize that my experiences more clearly reflected initiative. After revising how I expressed my strengths, it felt like a better fit for me. Receiving objective guidance from the Career Center was extremely helpful, and I am very thankful for their support.

――Why did you decide to work at Nomura Research Institute?

The opportunity came through a recommendation from a classmate. While Nomura Research Institute is widely recognized as an IT company, I learned that people with a humanities background can also thrive there, which encouraged me to join the internship program. Over the five days, I gained hands-on experience, including attending a meeting on an electronic money system in the financial division and proposing ideas to help prevent fraudulent use. I was drawn to the employees’ careful guidance and the company’s culture of mutual respect, and I began to strongly feel that this was where I wanted to work. After joining the company, I plan to take on work that allows me to turn my own ideas into reality by combining the perspectives of both a consultant and an engineer.

――What message would you like to share with current students?

After returning to Japan, many told me that having studied abroad would make job hunting easy. However, studying abroad is only one part of your journey. What truly matters is how you reflect on the experience—what you thought, what you felt, and what you learned from it. The perspectives and values you gain through these experiences are what will truly support you in your future. I encourage you to connect everything you experience, both abroad and in your student life, to the path you choose going forward.

Discovering Italian Cuisine and the Arts

In Italy, aperitivo is a social tradition of enjoying a drink before dinner, and Milan’s Navigli district comes alive with both locals and visitors. During my time abroad, I often shared aperitivi with friends after school or before attending performances at La Scala. These moments made me hope that similar customs might one day take root in Japan. La Scala also offers opportunities to enjoy world-class opera and ballet at reasonable prices. Being exposed to such outstanding performances broadened my cultural interests and became one of the most meaningful aspects of my time in Italy.

※Please note that the content of this article is correct as of October 2024