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[Topics] Ms. Rinka Nakao from the School of Agriculture receives the Yamakawa Award for FY2025!
On Thursday, September 25, 2025, the award ceremony for the Kyushu University Fund-supported Yamakawa Award was held at Shiiki Hall on the Ito Campus. Ms. Rinka Nakao, then a second-year student in the Faculty of Agriculture (currently a third-year student), received the award.
Giving to Kyushu U Grant-Supported Project "Yamakawa Prize"
The award, named after Kyushu University's first president, Kenjiro Yamakawa, aims to nurture the next generation of leaders. It recognizes undergraduate students who excel academically and demonstrate outstanding qualities in humanity, social awareness, international perspective, and expertise, as outlined in the Kyushu University Education Charter. These students are selected for their potential to play leading roles in various fields of society and to make significant contributions globally in the future.
Award theme and overview
The theme for which I was awarded the Yamakawa Prize is "Becoming a bridge between Japan and the World". Having grown up in diverse cultural environments―Japan, South Korea, and Thailand―due to my father's work, I have developed a unique global perspective. By combining this experience with my expertise in agricultural science, I aim to become a professional who can bridge different values and propose solutions to global environmental issues that are deeply rooted in local cultures and communities.
Inspiration behind my theme
During high school, I was deeply shocked by news of dugongs and sea turtles losing their lives in the waters of Thailand after consuming plastic waste. This prompted a strong interest in environmental issues, leading me to interview Professor Atsuhiko Isobe in Thailand, a leading expert in marine plastic research. I was profoundly inspired by his dedication to research as a bridge between Japan and Thailand. This experience ignited my desire to use my expertise in agriculture and my international background to tackle environmental challenges as someone who connects "people to people" and "knowledge to the field."
Future initiatives
In my fourth year, I plan to conduct research under Professor Takai in the Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science to gain a deeper understanding of how plastic pollution affects ecosystems. Looking ahead, under the guidance of Professor Isobe, I hope to conduct field research in Thailand. My goal is to investigate local waste management practices while exploring sustainable solutions tailored to the region, such as microbial degradation and the application of bioplastics, leveraging my knowledge of agricultural science. Additionally, I intend to participate in practical environmental conservation activities abroad to learn diverse perspectives and approaches to global challenges.
Career goals
I will continue to grow as a bridge between Japan and the world by deepening my focus on three core pillars: social responsibility, international perspective, and research. Through the field of agriculture, I do not simply want to be someone who "provides answers"; rather, I aspire to be a person who "builds the foundation for dialogue" to create solutions together. I believe this is the most meaningful role I can play in addressing global environmental issues today.