To all members of the Zoological Society of Japan, Incorporated Association

The Zoology Education Award Selection Committee (Yoshiro Takei, Toshiya Matsushima, Takayuki Takahashi, Takahiro Asami, Yoshitaka Nagahama; Yoshiro Takei serving as Chair) held a meeting at the Zoological Society office on Saturday, June 30, and nominated Ryoichi Matsuda, a member affiliated with the Graduate School of the University of Tokyo, to the Board of Directors as a candidate for the 2012 Zoology Education Award. Consequently, the Board of Directors unanimously voted (20 board members in agreement) to award the Zoology Education Award to member Ryoichi Matsuda.

Award Finalist Name, Affiliation, and Title
Ryoichi Matsuda, Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo

Name of the activity subject to selection: "Zoology educational activities for the young next generation, such as high school students"

There were 3 submissions this year. Chairperson Nagahama and four committee members (Asami, Takahashi, Matsushima, and Takei) held a selection committee meeting on Saturday, June 30, 2012, at the headquarters of the Zoological Society of Japan in Hongo, Bunkyo-ku. First, they confirmed that the 3 nominees for this year met at least one of the three criteria required to be eligible for the Education Award before proceeding with the selection. Since each candidate had made significant contributions to the popularization of zoology under different criteria, the selection was difficult, but after careful deliberation, it was unanimously decided to recommend Ryoichi Matsuda as the final candidate.

Reason for Award: Ryoichi Matsuda has energetically engaged in the following activities regarding zoological education and outreach: (1) He has participated in the International Biology Olympiad as the Japan Committee Coordinator since 2006, actively engaging in the education of contestants while supporting the Japanese Biology Olympiad behind the scenes for many years—such as accompanying overseas delegations and translating exam questions through the night. As a result, he has greatly contributed to Japanese contestants winning gold medals. (2) Since 2002, he has independently organized the "Saturday Special Lectures for High School Students" at the College of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo. As a practical example of "university-high school collaboration" initiated by academics to boost the academic motivation of high school students, this has had a tremendous impact on both high school and university education. (3) He has served as a member of the Liaison Committee for Education Issues in Science and Mathematics Societies representing the Zoological Society of Japan since 1998, and has addressed educational issues as the Executive Board Member for Education of the Zoological Society of Japan starting in fiscal 2003, submitting a petition to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology to review "yutori education" (relaxed education). As a result, the review was moved forward, significantly improving biology education. (4) He has maintained close contact with members of the Tokyo Biology Teachers' Association since 1993, contributing to the elevation of high school education levels from an academic standpoint by conducting teacher retraining—such as opening up the practical training sessions held at Komaba to high school teachers. Thus, although Mr. Matsuda's activities are not widely known to the general public like those of the inaugural awardee, Masanori Hata, he has steadily contributed to zoological education and enlightenment over many years.

Comments from the Selection Committee: This year's nominees (applicants) decreased from 7 last year to 3. As this is the only award by the Zoological Society of Japan—which has now become a public interest incorporated association—that is also open to non-members, we hope that next year even more candidates, including non-members and foreign nationals, will be nominated by members nationwide. In particular, we would like members of each branch to nominate many individuals who have steadily and continuously engaged in educational activities for elementary, junior high, and high school students, as well as the general public, in their local communities over many years.