Four Basic Functions

1. Environmental Education
2. Research and Testing
3. International Cooperation
4. Environmental Information

1.Environmental Education

Outline of the environmental education

In order to deal with our current environmental issues, it is necessary for everyone in the prefecture to correctly understand the essence of environmental issues and adopt an environmentally sound lifestyle, as well as for the government and corporations to make their efforts.

Thus, the center provides study opportunities for citizens of the prefecture to specifically consider what kind of actions to take and practice for environmental conservation in addition to considering the symbiosis with the environment through the relationship between society and environment, rather than simply offering information on environmental issues to citizens of the prefecture.       The main function is as an exhibition hall. A hands-on type exhibition is prepared for everyone from children to adults to encourage them to take an interest in such issues and enjoy while studying. The external ecology field is used for outdoor environmental education and demonstrates the mechanisms of nature and the relationship with our lifestyles through natural observation and agricultural experience.

Furthermore, there are an information section, an exchange section, a library, a laboratory, an environmental information room and a training room to support environmental education and environmental conservation activities for citizens of the prefecture.

Environmental education programs

The basic policies of the environmental education programs are established to provide opportunities to understand environmental issues from an environmental science viewpoint, to consider how to live in harmony with the environment and to develop systematic and comprehensive environmental education.

Specific programs are organized by utilizing the center facilities, its location conditions and the characteristics of those functions, while taking links with other facilities and role-sharing into account.

Original perspectives such as learning through experience and international exchanges are adopted instead of simply providing lectures.

Basic policies of the environmental education programs

1. Provision of opportunities for environmental education
   Provides opportunities of environmental education by planning lectures and observations through utilizing the various functions of the center.

2. Provision of space for educational activities
   Provides a space for citizens of the prefecture who strive to practice environmental education.

3. Support for environmental education
   Supports the collection and submission of environmental information, and exchanges between people undertaking environmental studies.  

 2.Research and Testing

The center also functions as a research institute that can handle a wide range of environmental issues.

It is configured of seven groups, namely the Global warming countermeasures, Atmospheric environment, Natural environment, Material cycles and waste management, Chemical Substances and Environmental Radioactivity, Water environment, and Environmental geotechnology.

Study exchanges with external research institutions and utilization of external research funds are also positively promoted. A research planning function that integrates those study functions is established at the center.

Comprehensive and interdisciplinary studies concerning the environment are carried out on the short- to mid-term issues faced by the prefecture, including priority research subjects, which focus on issues to be handled intensively. 

3.International Cooperation

Our social and economic activities have imposed a considerable load on the global environment through the use of natural resources and energy. The center contributes to environmental conservation of a global scale through its international cooperation in the environmental field as well as contributing to the promotion of local environmental conservation.

It also contributes to the nurturing of personnel and technological transfers for developing countries by sending specialists to such countries and accepting trainees from such countries. Furthermore, it actively carries out research activities with overseas research institutions and international cooperation such as monitoring activities related to global environmental issues.

An accommodation is also available at the center for overseas trainees and researchers. 

Outline of international cooperation

1  Acceptance of foreign trainees

• Trainees in sister provinces
  Acceptance of trainees from Shansi, China - the sister province to the prefecture

2  Exchanges in research activities with overseas research institutions

• Implementation of joint studies and mutual exchange of researchers and research/technical information , with overseas research organizations such as the Environmental Research & Training Centre (ERTC) in Thailand

• Acceptance of guest researchers from overseas research institutions

3  Sending of specialists

• Sending of specialists to developing countries and transferring of techniques and technologies accumulated through processes where pollution-related problems have been overcome

4  Participation in observation network of the UN World Meteorological Organization

• Participation in observation network of the UN World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and provision of CO2data

5  Collection/submission of international environmental information

• Submission of various information and study results for environmental conservation to the world  

4.Environmental Information

 Outline of the environmental information system

The environmental information system is prepared to collect/submit environmental information in support of environmental conservation activities and to improve the environmental awareness of people in the prefecture.

In addition to providing information on environmental education to the prefecture's populace, information on experimental research and testing to support research activities, information on environmental administration that is useful for understanding environmental decrees, and data on international contributions are provided directly to individuals, schools and environmental NGOs as well as overseas via the Internet, etc., through this system.

 Characteristics

One of the characteristics of this system is that various environmental information and data, such as environmental events and laws, environmental statistics and research results, can be seen simply via the Internet, while quizzes and games make learning about the environment more enjoyable.

Also, information is provided by using multi-media equipment so that visitors can more easily understand and actively access such information.