Japanese Literary Awards

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Hiroshi Hasegawa

はせがわ ひろし

Hasegawa Hiroshi

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1948-10-03 （Okochi Village, Abe District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan (now Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City)）
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese

Career

Occupations
seabird researcher, ecologist, zoologist, university professor
Active Years
1971-
Affiliations
Toho University (Professor, Faculty of Science; Professor Emeritus), Kyoto University Wildlife Research Center (Adjunct Professor), The Morisita Memorial Foundation for Professor Masaaki Morishita (Special Honorary Researcher)
Influenced By
Masaaki Morishita
Influenced
seabird conservationists, environmental protection organizations

Education

Shizuoka Prefectural Shizuoka High School
Period: 〜1967
Year of Graduation: 1967
Country: Japan
Kyoto University, Faculty of Agriculture
Faculty of Agriculture / Department of Agro-Biological Sciences
Degree: 学士
Period: 1967–1971
Year of Graduation: 1971
Country: Japan
Kyoto University Graduate School, Faculty of Science (Doctoral program)
Graduate School of Science / Doctoral program (left after earning credits)
Period: 1971–1976 (単位取得退学)
Country: Japan
Attended doctoral program; left after earning credits (did not complete degree)

Awards

Tokyo Citizen Cultural Honor
1996
Organization: Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Result: 受賞
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award (Riso Education Foundation Science Prize)
1996
Work: Ride the Wind! The Albatross
Category: 児童書
Organization: Sankei Shimbun / Riso Education Foundation
Result: 受賞
Shogakukan Children's Publishing Culture Award
1996
Work: Ride the Wind! The Albatross
Category: 児童書
Organization: Shogakukan
Result: 受賞
Yoshikawa Eiji Cultural Prize
1998
Organization: Yoshikawa Eiji National Culture Promotion Foundation
Result: 受賞
Japan Academy Prince Philip Award (Edinburgh Award)
2000
Organization: The Japan Academy
Result: 受賞
Yamashina Yoshimaro Ornithological Award
2006
Organization: Yamashina Institute for Ornithology
Result: 受賞
Minister of the Environment Commendation (Wildlife Conservation)
2014
Organization: Ministry of the Environment
Result: 受賞
Endangered Species Recovery Contribution Award
2014
Organization: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Result: 受賞
Ocean Nation Promotion Contribution Award (Natural Environment Division)
2015
Organization: Related organizations
Result: 受賞
Japan Wild Bird Society Wildlife Conservation Merit Award, President's Prize
2024
Organization: The Wild Bird Society of Japan
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Ride the Wind! The Albatross

1995 Children's book / nature & science

A children's-oriented introduction to albatross ecology and recovery efforts. Based on field studies, it communicates the importance of conservation.

albatrossconservationfield research

Albatross: Symphony of Love

1995 non-fiction

A general-audience non-fiction account of years of research and conservation work, portraying the relationship between albatrosses and people.

history of conservationfield noteshuman-nature relationship

Island of the Albatross

1997 nature photo book / non-fiction

A compilation of observations and photographs from an island where albatrosses breed, conveying habitat changes and conservation efforts.

island ecosystemsbreedingphotographic record

On the Island of Okinotayuu: Uninhabited-Island Stay – Albatross Field Diary

2015 field diary / non-fiction

A diary-form compilation of long-term field research on an uninhabited island, detailing observations and conservation practice regarding Okinotayuu (albatross).

long-term studyisland ecologyconservation practice

Bibliography

  • Kisekirei — Observations of Parental Care (1983)
  • The Journey of Swans — From Siberia to Japan (1988)
  • The Albatross and Professor Big Albatross (1990)
  • Migratory Birds: Journeying the Earth (1990)
  • First Wild Birds (co-authored, 1993)
  • Ride the Wind! The Albatross (1995)
  • Albatross: Symphony of Love (1995)
  • Island of the Albatross (1997)
  • Obsessed with Albatrosses (2006)
  • On the Island of Okinotayuu: Uninhabited-Island Stay – Albatross Field Diary (2015)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
blend of scientific description and narrative field notesgentle, explanatory style aimed at children
Recurring Motifs
seabirdsrecovery and conservationisland nature

Legacy

A leading seabird researcher credited with contributing to the recovery of albatross populations. Widely respected for practical conservation based on fieldwork and public outreach through general-interest and children's books.

Academic Societies

  • The Wild Bird Society of Japan

In Popular Culture

  • Lectures and materials are available to the public; conservation lectures viewable on platforms such as YouTube

Trivia

  • He was deeply involved in efforts that helped save the albatross from the brink of extinction.
  • He is a leading advocate of renaming the species to "Okinotayuu".