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Minoru Yajima

やじま みのる

Minoru Yajima

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1930-07-18 （Nogata, Toyotama District, Tokyo Prefecture (now Nakano, Tokyo)）
Died
2022-04-26 （Hospital in Tokyo, Japan） age 91
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Tokyo, Japan (birthplace and primary residence) → Gunma Prefecture (served at Gunma Insect Forest)

Career

Occupations
Entomologist, Zoo director, Author, Radio commentator
Active Years
1957-2022
Affiliations
Gunma Insect Forest (Director, later Honorary Director), Tama Zoological Park (Director), Ueno Zoo (former Aquarium Director), Japan Hotaru Association (Honorary Chairman), Tokyo Zoological Park Society (Chairman)

Education

Tokyo Gakugei University
Faculty of Education (Science)
Period: 〜1957
Year of Graduation: 1957
Country: Japan
Graduated from the Faculty of Education, science program (1957)

Awards

Tanahashi Prize
1980
Organization: Japan Museum Association
Result: Winner
Commendation from the Minister of Education
1991
Organization: Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT)
Result: Winner
Shogakukan Children's Publishing Culture Award
1998
Work: The Black Locust Grasshopper
Organization: Shogakukan
Result: Winner
Zoology Education Award
2013
Organization: Zoological Society of Japan
Result: Winner
NHK Broadcasting Culture Award
2017
Organization: NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
Result: Winner
Sankei Children's Publishing Culture Award / Riso Education Foundation Prize
Work: The Black Locust Grasshopper
Organization: Sankei Shimbun / Riso Education Foundation
Result: Winner

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Black Locust Grasshopper

1998 Children's natural science

A children's book presenting insect ecology and the enjoyment of observation. Award-winning.

insectsfield observationchildren's science

What Fireflies Taught Me

2000 Nature / Ecology

An essay-style account of firefly ecology and the importance of their conservation.

firefliesconservationbiology education

Insect Notes

1983 Natural science

An introductory work compiling field notes and explanations about insects.

field noteseducationentomology

Ants Raising Butterflies: My Insect Field Notes

2002 Field notes / Essays

A field-notes style book based on observation and research, recording relations with organisms.

field notesnaturalistic observation

Bibliography

  • Collecting, Mounting and Rearing Insects (1961)
  • Science Album 2: The Cabbage White (1970)
  • How to Keep Insects (1973)
  • Insect Ecology Picture Book: Fun Observations (1974)
  • What Are Insects? (1975)
  • Insect Notes (1983)
  • The Black Locust Grasshopper (1998)
  • What Fireflies Taught Me (2000)
  • Ants Raising Butterflies: My Insect Field Notes (2002)
  • Mystery-Solving Insect Notes (2003)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Plain, approachable toneFocus on observational recordsUse of photographs and diagrams
Recurring Motifs
insect ecologynature education for childrenconservation and coexistence

Health

  • Pneumonia (cause of death)
    2022年4月
    Passed away in April 2022 in a Tokyo hospital due to pneumonia

Legacy

Minoru Yajima made major contributions to nature education in Japan through children's insect books and zoo administration. He served for decades as a radio commentator on NHK, promoting public understanding and conservation of nature.

Museums

  • Gunma Insect Forest Gunma Prefecture, Japan

Academic Societies

  • Entomological Society of Japan
  • Zoological Society of Japan

In Popular Culture

  • Known as a longtime respondent on NHK's 'Summer Children's Science Radio Consultation'
  • Familiar to a wide readership, including coauthorships with Leiji Matsumoto

Trivia

  • Participated as a respondent on NHK radio program 'Summer Children's Science Radio Consultation' from its start in 1984 until July 21, 2016
  • Founded the magazine 'Insectarium'
  • Co-authored 'Insect Fun Book' with Leiji Matsumoto