Lake Biwa Branch Office

Lakes are sometimes described as the "mirrors of the Earth." This is because they not only clearly reflect the impact of human activities in their surroundings but also capture the effects of global climate change. Carefully observing changes in lake environments and using this knowledge to predict the future is essential not only for considering the future and sustainability of the local environment and society but also for thinking about these issues on a global scale.

The Lake Biwa Branch Office was established in April 2017 within the Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute, a Shiga Prefectural institution located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture. This establishment was based on the Basic Policy on the Relocation of Government-Affiliated Institutions issued by the Government of Japan. Since its establishment, the branch office has been conducting research and investigations on water quality and ecosystems from its base in Yanagasaki, located on the shores of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest and oldest lake. Through these activities, our office aims not only to contribute to the conservation and restoration of Lake Biwa’s environment but also to provide fundamental information for evaluating the sustainability of the surrounding communities and the entire planet. Based on this fundamental information, we hope to work together with citizens to consider these critical issues.

Five years have passed since the establishment and Yabase-Kihan Island Base, our newly provided research space located within the Omi Environmental Plaza (in Kusatsu City, Shiga Prefecture), has now begun full-scale operations. Although the branch office is still a small organization with approximately ten members only, we aim to accumulate research findings that provide new perspectives on Lake Biwa and present them in a clear and accessible manner to the public. As we continue our work with two research bases, we sincerely appreciate your continued support for the evolving Lake Biwa Branch Office.