Kazuhiko Takeuchi

Director and Professor, Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), The University of Tokyo

Person Type
Former Personnel
Institute
UNU-IAS
Education
2022
Contacts
takeuchi@unu.edu +81 (0)3-5467-1212

Kazuhiko Takeuchi graduated from the Department of Geography, the University of Tokyo in 1974. He obtained M.Agr. and Ph.D. from the Graduate School of Agriculture, the University of Tokyo. He has served as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University; an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Agriculture, a Professor in the Asian Natural Environmental Science Center, and a Professor in the Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Science at the University of Tokyo; and as Director and Professor, Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S) at the University of Tokyo. He also served as a Vice-Rector and Senior Vice-Rector at United Nations University from 2008 to 2016 and as an Assistant Secretary-General at the United Nations from 2013 to 2016. Since 2016, he has served as a Senior Visiting Professor at the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS). He has been Director and a Project Professor of IR3S at the University of Tokyo since 2017. He took up the position of Chair of the Board of Directors, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in July 2017. Prof. Takeuchi specialises in landscape ecology, landscape planning, and sustainability science. He engages in research and outreach activities on creating eco-friendly environments for a harmonious coexistence of people and nature, especially focusing on Asia and Africa. Recently, he has been working toward establishing a global foundation for developing the field of sustainability science aiming to build a sustainable society. He is deeply involved in the SATOYAMA initiative, aiming at the restoration and revitalisation of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes around the world, and Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) initiated by FAO.

Appointments

  • Lecturer, Faculty of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, 1977–1985;
  • Associate Professor, Faculty of Agriculture, The University of Tokyo, 1985–1995;
  • Professor, Asian Natural Environmental Science Center, The University of Tokyo, 1995–1997;
  • Professor, Department of Ecosystem Studies, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, 1997–present;
  • Director, Asian Natural Environmental Science Center, The University of Tokyo, 2004–2005;
  • Special Adviser to the President, 2005–2008;
  • Deputy Executive Director, Integrated Research System for Sustainability Science (IR3S), the University of Tokyo, 2005–present;
  • Vice President for International Relations, Executive Representative for the University of Tokyo Beijing Office, 2007–2008;
  • Vice-Rector, United Nations University, 2008–present;
  • Director, United Nations University Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP), 2009–2013;
  • (Senior) Visiting Professor, United Nations University Institute of Advanced Studies, 2009–present;
  • Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations, 2013–2016
  • Chair of the Board of Directors, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), 2017-present