Curriculum Vitaes
Profile Information
- Affiliation
- Professor, Center for Global Education and Discovery/ International Cooperation Studies (Graduate School of Global Studies), Sophia University
- Degree
- Bachelor of Law(Mar, 1993, The University of Tokyo)Bachelor of Art(Sep, 2001, Sophia University)Master of International Studies(Mar, 2004, The University of Tokyo)Doctor of Philosophy(Mar, 2007, The University of Tokyo)
- Other name(s) (e.g. nickname)
- Mikiko Michelle Sugiura
- Researcher number
- 80463884
- ORCID ID
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4196-9806- J-GLOBAL ID
- 201301002250657785
- researchmap Member ID
- B000231021
Mikiko M. Sugiura is a Professor in the Graduate School of Global Studies, Sophia University. She also belongs to the Center for Global Education and Discovery.
She holds a Ph.D. and a master's degree, both in international studies, and the first B. A. in law from the University of Tokyo besides the second B. A. in comparative culture from Sophia University.
Her research focuses on developing institutional frameworks for sustainable water resources management, particularly river water use. She is keenly interested in issues related to sustainability, such as drought response, water rights systems (e.g., environmental water rights), and biodiversity conservation, based on the development of modern engineering technologies such as multi-purpose dams and long-distance water transfers.
Her teaching interests are in conservation, environmental science, development studies, and developing a trans-disciplinary approach to ecological issues.
Her interest, in other words, lies in the interaction between humans and nature, and she is particularly interested in how water resource management reflects the diversity of physical (e.g., climate) and non-physical (e.g., culture) conditions. In particular, she is strongly interested in the characteristics and trends observed in agricultural water use (especially in rice paddies) in the Asian monsoon region, where more than half of the world's population lives. She approaches irrigation commons, institutions, and conservation based on river flow characteristics (gravity-led, hydrological cycle, and fluctuation in volume).
Currently offers the following classes for undergraduate and graduate students: Conservation Studies, Environmental Science, Sustainable Development (for undergraduates), Environment and Development, Environmental History and Policies in Japan (for graduate students).
Research Interests
4Research History
11-
Apr, 2018 - Sep, 2021
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Apr, 2014 - Mar, 2018
Education
4-
Apr, 1999 - Sep, 2001
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Apr, 1989 - Mar, 1993
Committee Memberships
9-
Jun, 2024 - Present
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Apr, 2024 - Present
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Nov, 2022 - Present
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Oct, 2022 - Present
Awards
3Papers
33-
Frontiers in Water, 7 1629905, Jul, 2025
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Journal of Japan Society of Hydrology & Water Resources, 37(4) 351-358, Nov, 2024 Peer-reviewedLead author
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311-312, Sep, 2024 Lead author
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2023 ROMBUNNO.7-11(R) pp467-468, Aug, 2023 Peer-reviewedLead author
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WS-MWSCD Paper No.03, ICID Congress & 73rd IEC Meeting October 2022, Adelaide, Australia, 24-37, Oct, 2022 Peer-reviewedInvitedWater scarcity is a social and relative concept that necessitates considering the social and technological factors that determine the quantity and quality of water demand and supply. Thus, institutional responses to water scarcity are diverse and dynamic, reflecting climatic and geographical conditions. In the case of Japan, located in monsoon Asia and experiencing irregular rainfall and drought with a certain probability, a water use order has been formed based on the river-water use for irrigation as a stable source. In terms of increasing supply, modern advances in engineering technology have made it possible to augment river flows by releasing water stored in multipurpose dams, which has enabled the establishment and operation of the modern permitted water rights system, and a new water use order and its adjustment. The "drought coordination" (Kassui-chōsei) is an example of such a system, which was institutionalized in anticipation of voluntary coordination among water users due to the functions of multipurpose dams and the existence of river administrators. Although river water is "public water" and not subject to trade along with water rights, the implementation of various administrative strategies to create new water rights has also contributed to alleviating conflicts caused by social water shortages. In terms of reducing demand, field-based irrigation commons still play an essential role. Block rotational irrigation efficiently reduces demand as part of the nesting structure implemented by LID, a traditional mura-based Water Users Association. It implements a determined rate of water conservation through effective and efficient water management as part of the structure.
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2022 ROMBUNNO.6-36(R), Aug, 2022 Peer-reviewedLead author
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Global Environmental Studies, 17 29-49, Mar 26, 2022
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Environment: Science and Policy for Sustainable Development, 63(5) 14-25, Sep, 2021 Peer-reviewed
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2021 ROMBUNNO.6-34(R) pp.564-565, Aug, 2021 Peer-reviewedLead author
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ARDEC : world agriculture now, Mar, 2021
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ARDEC: Overseas Agricultural and Rural Development Center, (64) 31-35, Mar, 2021 InvitedLead author
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2020 631-632, Aug, 2020 Peer-reviewedLead author
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International Journal of Social Science Studies, 7(3) 93-100, May, 2019 Peer-reviewedWatarease-yusuichi, a man-made retarding basin, which has functioned as a flood control for about 100 years, entered a new phase in 2012 as a registered site under the Ramsar Convention. Through diversification of wetland use, despite the complexity of the root of the Convention’s “wise use,” Watarase-yusuichi represents a unique perspective on sustainable development so that wetlands can continue creating new value for human society. The emerging ecological function as the habitat for endangered fauna and flora exemplifies not only the universal paradigm shift in human involvement in the wetland’s use, but also the importance of the integration of stakeholders regarding the issues of wetland management as IRBM (the Integrated River Basin Management), which gives us more holistic perspective on a participatory and comprehensive approach to planning and management. Regarding the integration of stakeholders, despite the significant differences in original ideas on wetland management, it should be noted that five major types of stakeholders, including the local and scholarly communities, collaborated to device a future plan for Watarase-yusuichi through lengthy discussions.
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Water, Land and Environmental Engineering, 86(4) 33-36, Apr 1, 2018 Peer-reviewed
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Asian Journal of Environment and Disaster Management (AJEDM), 9(1) 49-62, 2017 Peer-reviewed
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The Japanese Society of Irrigation, Drainage and Rural Engineering, 85(1) I.23-I.28, 2017 Peer-reviewedKankyou-yousui-suiriken, the water right for biodiversity conservation, is permitted as a special water right that envisages the diversion of water in a river into other water environments. Conversely, other water rights are generally permitted for off-stream use. Because such water environments are not subject to the River Act, the significance of this system offers the river administrator a new and supplementary option concerning low-flow management. Having the major shift of conception of water in a river, this water right is novel in valuing the sustainability of biodiversity. It also shows some peculiarities in that this water right is permitted only when other water-right holders enjoy full appropriation, and it is provisional in terms of a short renewal period. One of the practical cases of this water right is utilizing irrigation and drainage infrastructures for the purpose of improving water quality by dilution. In this respect, LIDs (Land Improvement District) could contribute to the water right system.
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The 7th International Conference on Water Resources and Environment Research (ICWRER)、京都, Jun, 2016 Peer-reviewed
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Journal of the Japanese Society of Irrigation, Drainage and Rural Engineering, 83(11) 913-916, Nov, 2015
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Water and Heritage: Material, conceptual and spiritual connections, 2015 Lead author
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The Japanese Society of Irrigation, Drainage and Rural Engineering, 82(3) 133-139, 2014 Peer-reviewedResource-saving has become a global issue in the 21st century. This study examined the Mie irrigation scheme and analyzed the water-saving effects of its volumetric water charge system which is generally expected to save water used for rice field irrigation. The results showed that 1) the system saved water by reducing the required diversion volume from the water source in the periods with average river water level; and 2) the volume of water usage markedly increased in the periods of low water when the water saving effects of the volumetric water charge system was most anticipated. For the latter phenomenon, following reasons can be given; 1) some features of the fee structure, such as basic rate, low excess charge and long calculation period of one year, and in addition to that, 2) the supplemental function of the Mie irrigation scheme.
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14th Global Conference of the International Association for the Study of the Commons, Jun, 2013 Peer-reviewed
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Asian Journal of Environment and Disaster Management, 2(1) 93-100, May, 2010 Peer-reviewed
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XII World Congress of Rural Sociology, Jul, 2008 Peer-reviewed
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PADDY AND WATER ENVIRONMENT, 6(1) 115-128, Mar, 2008 Peer-reviewed
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Oral Presentation Proceedings The 2nd International WEPA Forum Water Environment Partnership in Asia, 116-120, Nov, 2007 Peer-reviewed
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Journal of Japan Society of Hydrology & Water Resources, 20(1) 34-46, Jan, 2007
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Journal of water and environmental issues, 20(20) 115-124, 2007
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Journal of Rural Planning Association, 23 25-30, Nov 30, 2004
Misc.
1-
77(1) 33-35, Jan 1, 2009
Books and Other Publications
10-
Sophia University Press/ Gyōsei, Jul, 2025 (ISBN: 4324115435, 9784324115435)
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Published by Sophia University Printed by Gyosei Co., Mar, 2023 (ISBN: 9784324112663)
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Sidestone Press, Leiden, 2015 (ISBN: 9789088902789)Water & Heritage … tells the story of water heritage in all its diversity. It reveals the technical ingenuity that water heritage has always inspired, and it presents the challenges that this heritage faces, along with possible solutions. Reflecting the depth of cooperation between UNESCO and ICOMOS, this book was launched … as a showcase of cooperation to increase dialogue on water heritage. – Irina Bokova (Director-General of UNESCO) Water is vital for life, and its availability has been a concern for mankind throughout the ages. Its presence has always been ascertained in a variety of ways and the development of human society everywhere is connected with various forms of water management. Man also needed to manage water to find protection from its dangers and the need for that is increasing...(cited from Amason)
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Routledge, New York, 2015 (ISBN: 9780415749978)This book uniquely explores the long-term impacts of displacement and resettlement. It shows that long-term post-project evaluation is necessary to assess the rehabilitation and livelihood reconstruction of resettlers after relocation. It focuses on large dam projects in a number of Asian countries, including Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Turkey, Sri Lanka and Vietnam, which are often ignored in Displacement studies in favour of China or India. Drawing on a wealth of empirical data over ten years, it presents crucial factors for successful resettlement by analysing lessons learned. The range of countries allow for a diverse and complex set of factors and outcomes to be analysed. Many of the factors for successful resettlement recur despite the cases being different in implementation period and location. The book presents highly original findings gathered by local researchers in the field directly talking to resettlers who were relocated more than a decade ago (cited from Amazon).
Presentations
30-
Panelist at TF-WEWM, International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage, 4th World Irrigation Forum and 76th IEC Meetings, Sep 9, 2025 Invited
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The 2nd International Sociohydrology Conferene, Jul 21, 2025
Teaching Experience
7-
Apr, 2021 - PresentEnvironment and Development (Sophia University)
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Apr, 2021 - PresentEnvironmental History and Policies in Japan (Sophia University)
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2014 - PresentConservation (Sophia University)
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2014 - PresentSustainable Development (Sophia University)
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2014 - PresentEnvironmental Science (Sophia University)
Professional Memberships
3Research Projects
11-
SATREPS：Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development, JST (Japan Science and Technology Agency)・AMED・JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency), 2023 - Mar, 2028
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Apr, 2025 - Mar, 2026
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SUP (Sophia University Press ) publication project in 2024 fiscal year, Sophia University, May, 2024 - Dec, 2025
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Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Apr, 2021 - Mar, 2025
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Apr, 2024 - Mar, 2025
Academic Activities
1-
Planning, Management, etc., Panel moderator, Session chair, etc.Local Organizing Committee of ISHC, Jul 19, 2025 - Jul 21, 2025
Social Activities
1Other
22-
Jun, 2025The finalized report of SACRU SDGs Project, contributing to the part of (e)
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Dec, 2024【科学研究費補助金基盤研究B「高等教育における学修成果の可視化に関する国際共同研究」 杉村美紀（上智大学）
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Nov, 2024本学SDGs&Sustainabilityレポート2023-2024 p.49掲載 https://diversity-sustainability.sophia.ac.jp/wp/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Sophia-University-SDGs-and-Sustainability-Report-2023-2024.pdf
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Nov, 2024https://www.sacru-alliance.net/satoyama-showcase-of-reconciliation-ecology/ SACRU