Research Theme

Human Dimensions of Wildlife Management / Biodiversity Conservation

Human–wildlife conflicts, such as agricultural damage and human casualties caused by wildlife, occur worldwide. The human dimensions of wildlife management constitute a field that aims to solve such conflicts by obtaining information necessary for decision making through social science research. My research under the theme of the human dimensions of wildlife management includes an understanding of the attitudes of the local residents toward wildlife and factors influencing such psychological features, understanding and fostering of the behaviors of residents to prevent damage to the wildlife, designing effective wildlife policies, and evaluating outreach and management interventions conducted by the government.

Participatory activities targeting wildlife damage prevention in rural villages of Japan

One of my goals has been to introduce the concepts and tools of human dimensions of wildlife management (developed in the US) to Japan and conduct various research from the Japanese context. The book summarizes the results of a series of my study as well as the significance of conducting research on human dimensions in Japan and Asian countries.

Sakurai, R. 2019. Human dimensions of wildlife management in Japan: from Asia to the World. Springer Singapore.

Example of papers on human dimensions of wildlife management research

Residents’ perceptions of black bears [collaborative research with Hyogo Prefectural Government]

Evaluating management interventions [collaborative research with Tochigi Prefectural Government]

Media analysis on human-bear issues

Research on feasibility of reintroducing extinct species