Energy, Consumption, and Sustainability in Japan
The summer 2015 Study Trip “Energy in Japan” focused on two themes: stakeholders in Japan’s changing energy mix and consumption patterns and energy and environmental justice. A group of ten Oberlin College faculty and students participated. In preparation for the trip, student participants took a 2nd module course “Introduction to Environment, Sustainability and Energy in Japanese Society” and attended orientations on legal, medical and social aspects of study abroad lead by the Dean of Studies Office. All members learned survival Japanese and elements of cultural appropriateness. Participants were in Japan from May 27-June 12, 2015.
The group met with faculty and environmental student groups at partner institutions including Waseda University (Tokyo), Doshisha University (Kyoto), Tohoku University (Sendai), UNITAR and Green Legacy Japan (Hiroshima). Highlights included presentations by environmental activists and scholars on Japan’s energy policy and future, consumption & waste, and renewable energy. In Sendai, the team experienced natural hazard-related sites such as earthquake and tsunami hazard reduction museums and the coastal areas affected by the 2011 earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown. The group also visited significant cultural and historical sites with the aim of learning about cultural contexts.
Student participants included first and second year majors from EAS, ENVST, Art History, Anthropology, Biology, and Politics.
Faculty Facilitator:
Yveline Alexis (Africana Studies)
Katie Oertel (Chemistry)
Ann Sherif (East Asian Studies) (Study Trip Leader)