2024 Activity Report vol.37:Tokyo University of Agriculture

This program was implemented with the aim of fostering the next generation of human resources capable of contributing to forest conservation and sustainable management in the Republic of Djibouti, a country facing serious challenges such as forest degradation and desertification, hosted by Tokyo University of Agriculture (Tokyo NODAI). The invitees from the University of Djibouti included seven undergraduate students and one faculty member from the Faculty of Science. From January 22 to 29, 2025, they participated in a variety of programs based at Tokyo NODAI's Setagaya Campus.

On the first day, an orientation session was conducted, followed by a campus tour. The participants also visited the Food and Agriculture Museum, where they explored exhibitions related to Japanese agriculture, food culture, and environmental topics, and see a display of arid-land plants in the "Biorium." In the afternoon, a student exchange session was held. Djiboutian participants gave presentations introducing their country's geography, ecosystems, and socio-cultural background, while Japanese students shared perspectives on Japanese culture and forest landscapes. This mutual introduction helped build a foundation for cross-cultural understanding and collaborative dialogue.

Over the next three days, hands-on workshops were held focusing on forest science. On the first workshop day, participants studied methods for interpreting past climate information through tree-ring anatomy and dendroclimatology. The second day centered on analyzing the origins of plant water use using stable isotope ratios. The third day introduced analytical techniques utilizing advanced instruments, such as the stable isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IR-MS), for reconstructing climate data from tree-ring cellulose. Each session was led by academic staff from Tokyo NODAI—Dr. HINOKIDANI Ko, Dr. MOMOI Takao, and Dr. ASAKURA Yasuhiro—and provided opportunities for participants to acquire both theoretical and practical scientific knowledge.

On the morning of January 27, mixed teams of Djiboutian and Japanese students conducted a brainstorming session and gave presentations on the theme "Forest and Biodiversity Conservation in Djibouti." Through collaborative discussion, students from different cultural backgrounds deepened their mutual understanding and developed skills in cross-cultural dialogue and joint problem-solving. In the afternoon, the group visited Miraikan – The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation – where they explored exhibitions on environmental technologies and sustainability.

On January 28, participants visited the Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute and the Tsukuba Botanical Garden. At the research institute, Dr. TOMA Takeshi delivered a lecture and guided the group through the facilities, offering insights into cutting-edge forest science in Japan. At the botanical garden, Dr. OKUYAMA Yudai led a tour of greenhouses representing various climate zones, where participants learned about the characteristics and adaptive strategies of a wide range of plant species. As there are no botanical gardens in Djibouti, this visit was the participants' first experience in such a facility, providing a valuable opportunity to understand plant conservation and education efforts.

On the final day, a wrap-up session was held, where participants reflected on the week's activities and shared their future academic goals and aspirations. This program served as a meaningful step toward enhancing research and educational collaboration between Japan and Djibouti, and contributed significantly to the cultivation of future professionals in the fields of forest conservation and environmental science in Djibouti.

We sincerely thank all those who supported the successful implementation of this program. Our appreciation also goes to the participating students from Djibouti and Japan for their active engagement and contributions.