On Monday, June 15, 2015, Chuo University’s Korakuen Campus welcomed visitors from Bhutan, including Mr. Tenzin Dhendup, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forests and executives from the Biodiversity Center.

The visit followed an agreement by Professor Mikiko Ishikawa of Chuo’s Department of Integrated Science and Engineering for Sustainable Society to provide maintenance and support of Bhutan’s royal garden, urban greening, and biodiversity.

Eight guests from Bhutan greeted Yasushi Ishii, Dean of Faculty of Science and Engineering, together with executives from the Japan-Bhutan Friendship Association who supported the tour and training in Japan. Following an introduction of the Faculty by Dean Ishii, the guests visited different research rooms including environmental design (Professor Ishikawa), biomass energy (Professor Hatano), and development of new energy and water treatment system using algae (Professor Yamamura).The group then toured the Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens and Hamarikyu Onshi Teien (Garden) with Professor Ishikawa.

On June 16, with a special permission to visit the imperial palace gardens, the guests received an explanation on Tokyo’s green conservation and the sustainability and succession of garden culture. Mr. Tenzin, who supports the business promoting the development of human resources in horticulture and suburban greening, mentioned that they were highly impressed with the level of standard and sustainable technology for the conservation of garden culture in Japan. The guests from Bhutan is planned to visit Fukushima afterwards for a friendly visit.