Officers and Staff

Directors and Staff

Directors, Managers, and Trustees

(1) Officers:

(2)Trustees

Kazuhiro Ueta (Professor, Kyoto University Department of Economics)

Takako Ousaka (Professor, Hanazono College, Department of Social Welfare)

Terutomo Oota (Secretary-General, National Liaison Council for Pollution Victims Organizations; Secretary-General, Kurashiki Pollution Lawsuit Plaintiffs Group )

Saburou Kato (Director, Environment and Civilization Research Institute)

Shintarou Koike（Managing Director, Japan Network for Earth Environment and Prevention of Pollution）　　　　

Susumu Takada (Professor, Ritsumeikan University, Department of Policy Science; Representative Manager, Osaka Urban Environment Council)

Sadashi Tsuboi (Managing Director, Osaka Environmental Preservation Co., Ltd.)

Naomi Tsurusaki (Attorney)

Eiichi Nisikawa (Professor, Kobe University of Mercantile Marine)

Ichizou Higuchi (Resident of Fuku-cho, Nishiyodogawa Ward, Osaka)

Sachiko Murasugi (Secretary-General, Nature Conservation Society of Japan)

(3)Advisors

Rikio Takahashi (Professor, Nihon University, Department of Living Resources Science; Director, Nature Conservation Society of Osaka )

Shigeto Tsuru (Professor Emeritus, Hitotsubashi University)

Chief Director Kimio Moriwaki

A Word from the Chief Director

　On September 11, 1996, the Center for the Redevelopment of Pollution-damaged Areas in Japan was established with Environment Agency permission. Ordinarily known as the "Aozora [Blue Sky] Foundation," the Center owes its existence to the generous support and cooperation of many people, to whom I express my deep gratitude. As industrialization proceeded at breakneck speed during the years of rapid economic growth, many of Japan's cities suffered from pollution in a variety of ways. In the Nishiyodogawa Air Pollution Lawsuit, citizens carried on their long struggle under the slogan "A Blue Sky for the Children." In other words, the wish of pollution victims was to eliminate pollution, take back a community where people can live in health and with peace of mind, and pass that on to the next generation. To make this dream a reality, part of the settlement payment obtained in the March 1996 settlement with the defendant corporations was used to create a fund for the Aozora Foundation, which means that this foundation was paid for with the precious lives and health of pollution victims. Pollution hasn't ended, and damage to the global environment continues. As we move closer to the 21st century, our experience with pollution will serve as a valuable lesson both now and in the future. With wishes for a community where dragonflies again populate the summer sky, we shall set to work by reassessing the environment in our immediate surroundings. Today's gathering represents the Aozora Foundation's first step. We hope that providing knowledge about events leading to Aozora's founding and about its future efforts will help more people share our feelings as we work to rebuild communities.

Director Agnes Chan (Singer)

May Blue Skies Cover the World!

This foundation was created with funds provided by people who have endured illnesses for long years, and I think it is wonderful how their gift will go toward activities to eliminate pollution for the world's children and our Earth's future inhabitants. My third child was born this autumn, and when you have a baby, it makes you aware of how important the environment is. I've been told that the Aozora Foundation's work consists in efforts to protect the environment so that all the world's children and mothers can be free of such worries. I too intend to help so that people in all countries can took up and see a blue sky.

Director Isoya Shinji Professor of Landscape Gardening, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology

From Green Community Development to a Green Society

There are many ways to improve society. Until now people have generally believed that actions have to be large-scale and government-led, while saying things like "Let's have dragonflies in a blue sky!" has been a rare exception, or considered a mere diversion. But now more and more people are questioning the information provided by science and technology experts who have thought that everything should be the same. Meanwhile, the citizens have sought something they could have direct physical contact with, and that they could create according to their own conceptions. With flower pots in front of their homes, small parks in their neighborhoods, and greenery in schoolyards and along streams, as well as community development throughout all of Nishiyodogawa, each person can choose his or her method and place. It is my hope that the Aozora Foundation will practice "green community development" like that.

Director Mitsutoshi Hayakawa Lawyer and Representative Director of the Citizens Alliance for Saving the Atmosphere and the Earth (CASA)

Betting Their Lives Begot Aozora

When I look back over the hard 18-year struggle in court, it is like a dream that we were able to settle with the defendant corporations, and that the settlement payment helped create a foundation like this. The Aozora Foundation is the product of a struggle by pollution victims not only in Nishiyodogawa, but all over the nation -- a struggle in which they staked their lives. Aozora's mission is realizing the hope of these victims: "A Blue Sky for the Children," which will necessitate the cooperation of many people. As one of the directors, I too will do my best to bring this about.

Director Kenichi Miyamoto Professor of Environmental Economics, Ritsumeikan University

A Landmark Project

Solving pollution problems once and for all means rejuvenating polluted areas into safe and beautiful communities. The Aozora Foundation is the first attempt in Japan to propose this task and try to carry it out. Victims staked their lives in campaigning and in winning valuable compensation, which they donated to benefit the entire local community. So as not to squander their noble intent, the local government, businesses, citizens, and researchers should work together as one in embarking on one of the great projects of our century: the rebuilding of a polluted area.

Director Yoshirou Serizawa Acting Chairman, Society to Eliminate Pollution from Osaka

Information Provider with a Citizens' Point of View

I express my heartfelt congratulations for the creation of the Center for the Redevelopment of Pollution-damaged Areas in Japan, which is one of the achievements of the pollution victims' movement. Pollution and environmental problems have come to the point where, because they have developed into global environmental problems, we wonder about the future of human society itself. We are now expected to provide convincing information on theory and action to the people in our communities, local governments, the national government, and even people around the world. I have expectations that Aozora will develop into an information provider with a citizens' point of view.

Director Hiroshi Mimura Professor of Urban Planning, Kyoto University

Restoring Community Environments Where People Can Live in Health

Until becoming a high school student I suffered considerably from juvenile asthma. When I recall the torment of nighttime attacks, and the wish of my parents to suffer in my place, I can get a slight firsthand understanding of the air pollution in Nishiyodogawa. I have renewed determination that, through my participation in the activities of the Center for the Redevelopment of Pollution-damaged Areas in Japan, restoring community environments where everyone from children to the elderly, and even their descendants, can always live in health will become the basis of my own specialty of urban planning as well.

Director Akio Morishima Professor of Law, Sophia University

An Unprecedented and Praiseworthy Endeavor

On October 13 the Aozora Foundation Directorate held its first meeting. I was moved to see how the young staff members, under Chief Director Moriwaki, are enthusiastically working on a variety of projects for redeveloping Nishiyodogawa Ward. It is wonderful how the people victimized by pollution are working to develop their own community with their own hands. This admirable endeavor is, I think, the first in Japan, and even in the world. I hope that everyone will persevere to overcome the inevitable difficulties, and that I will be able to be of some help.