Regular researches form the core of the Museum’s research activities. They are either implemented individually by researchers from the Museum, or jointly with small groups of researchers.
The following research activities were carried out in the AY2007 as part of regular research projects:

• Department of Zoology
• Department of Botany
• Department of Geology and Paleontology
• Department of Anthropology
• Department of Science & Engineering
• Tsukuba Botanical Garden
• Showa Memorial Institute
• Institute for Nature Study Collection Center
• Center of the History of Japanese Industrial Technology
• Center for Molecular Biodiversity research

Research project title	Chief curator
Taxonomical studies of Japanese Lygaeidae	TOMOKUNI Masaaki
Taxonomical and biogeographical research of Tingidae in East Asia	TOMOKUNI Masaaki
Study of the systematic taxonomy of insects of the Reduviidae in Asia	TOMOKUNI Masaaki

Research project title	Chief curator
Research on marine mammals in the seas around Japan	Tadasu K. Yamada
Environmental monitoring based on indicators for marine mammals	Tadasu K. Yamada
Creation of a marine mammals stranding information network	Tadasu K. Yamada
Taxonomical studies of Zoarcidae	Gento Shinohara
Taxonomical studies of deep-sea fish in the seas around Japan	Gento Shinohara
Phylogeographic studies of terrestrornithes on islands	NISHIUMI Isao
Investigation into the creation of a comprehensive management system for genetic samples and taxidermic specimens of birds	NISHIUMI Isao
DNA barcoding studies of birds in East Asia	NISHIUMI Isao
Phylogenetic systematics and species differentiation of Insectivora,Talpidae	KAWADA Shin-ichiro
Morphological studies of dental morphology evolution in mammals	KAWADA Shin-ichiro
Review of the results of research on mammals by Professor KISHIDA Hisakichi	KAWADA Shin-ichiro

Research project title	Chief curator
Taxonomic studies of Cephalopoda in the seas around Japan	KUBODERA Tsunemi
Research on the biology of large midwater Cephalopods and potential biomass resources	KUBODERA Tsunemi
Taxonomic studies of Architeuthidae in Japan	KUBODERA Tsunemi
Research on the North Pacific minke whale stock structure using parasites as indicators	KURAMOCHI Toshiaki
Research on minke whales as top predators in the North Pacific ecosystem using parasites as indicators	KURAMOCHI Toshiaki
Parasitic fish fauna of Japan	KURAMOCHI Toshiaki
Parasitological and pathological studies on stranded Japanese whales	KURAMOCHI Toshiaki
Determination of Sparganum proliferum and molecular phylogeny of marine Diphyllobothrium	KURAMOCHI Toshiaki
Research on biodiversity in the neritic region off the coast of Indonesia	SAITO Hiroshi / HASEGAWA Kazunori
Taxonomical assessment of unregistered Polyplacophora and Mollusca specimens in the National Museum of Nature and Science collection, and computerized information processing	SAITO Hiroshi
Research on the classification of Polyplacophora in the Nansei Islands coral reefs and study of their distribution	SAITO Hiroshi

Research project title	Chief curator
Phylogenetic systematics of Noctuidae moths in Asia	OWADA Mamoru
Research on species differentiation among Zygaenidae	OWADA Mamoru
Classification and phylogenetic studies of Dinonycha in Japan and the neighboring countries	ONO Hirotsugu
Affinities among Chelicerate groups	ONO Hirotsugu
Classification and management of standard spider specimens	ONO Hirotsugu
Study of phylogenetic systematics and distribution of Pamphiliidae	SHINOHARA Akihiko
Study of phylogenetic systematics and distribution of East Asian Sawflies	SHINOHARA Akihiko
Phylogenetic systematics of Staphylinoidea beetles of Asia	NOMURA Shuhei
Research on diversity among edaphic beetles and their community structure	NOMURA Shuhei
Construction of an information processing system on the natural history of Coleoptera beetle specimens, and preparing information databases	NOMURA Shuhei

Research project title	Chief curator
Creating a biodiversity contour map	KATO Masahiro
Species differentiation in the Osmunda group	KATO Masahiro
Adaptations and evolution of Podostemaceae	KATO Masahiro

Research project title	Chief curator
Systematic taxonomy of Hypnaceae	HIGUCHI Masanobu
Research on the Bryopsida flora of Asia and Oceania	HIGUCHI Masanobu
Research on the plant species biology of Aconitum	KADOTA Yuichi
Research on the plant species biology of Japanese Cirsium plants based on population analysis	KADOTA Yuichi
Taxonomic studies of Saussurea in Asia	KADOTA Yuichi
Taxonomic studies of Ligularia in Asia	KADOTA Yuichi
Floristics in Nepal	KADOTA Yuichi
Research into the origin of mountain flora in the Japanese archipelago and their plant taxonomy and geographical features	KADOTA Yuichi
Taxonomic studies of Impatiens (Balsaminaceae) and Saxifrages (Saxifragaceae), found mainly in the Himalayan region of Southwest China	AKIYAMA Shinobu
Taxonomic and geobotanical research of Spermatophyta in East Asia	AKIYAMA Shinobu
Study of Saxifragaceae as related to floristics in Nepal	AKIYAMA Shinobu
Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of Filicales (Hymenophyllaceae) on a global scale	EBIHARA Atsushi
Molecular identification of Filicales gametophytes and analysis of their distribution	EBIHARA Atsushi

Research project title	Chief curator
Systematic taxonomy of lichens in East Asia	KASHIWADANI Hiroyuki
The role of lichens in the deterioration of cultural assets	KASHIWADANI Hiroyuki
Systematic taxonomy of cellular slime molds in Japan	HAGIWARA Hiromitsu
Slime molds biota of Oomiyama (Shiga Prefecture)	HAGIWARA Hiromitsu
Research on the bacterial biota of Sarcosomataceae (Discomycetes) in Japan	HOSOYA Tsuyoshi
Systematic taxonomy of Family Hyaloscyphaceae	HOSOYA Tsuyoshi
Systematic taxonomy of Phaeophyceae in Japan	KITAYAMA Taiju
Taxonomic studies of freshwater Fragilaria	TUJI Akihiro
Review of Bacillariophyceae classification in Japan through traditional reevaluation measures	TUJI Akihiro

Research project title	Chief curator
Research into the chemical classification and geographic features of Filicales with flavonoids as indicators	IWASHINA Tsukasa
Investigation into little-known substances focusing on polyphenols contained in plants	IWASHINA Tsukasa
Research into the gene expression regulation of flavanoids	IWASHINA Tsukasa
Research into the chemical classification of Saussurea with flavonoids as indicators	IWASHINA Tsukasa
Study of soil specimen preparation methods, and collection of samples	HIRAYAMA Ryoji
Research into the relation between organisms and soil porosity	HIRAYAMA Ryoji
Application of soil micromorphology to archaeological pedology	HIRAYAMA Ryoji
Species differentiation of Cyrtomium in East Asia	MATSUMOTO Sadamu
Taxonomic studies of Pteridophyta in the South Pacific Ocean region	MATSUMOTO Sadamu
Study of Pteridophyta in East Asia, particularly in Taiwan, China, and Bhutan	MATSUMOTO Sadamu
Research on life forms of Orchidaceae and evolution of nutrition intake methods	YUKAWA Tomohisa
Research on the propagation and preservation of plants	YUKAWA Tomohisa
Molecular-cytotaxonomy of Cycadophyta	KOKUBUGATA Goro
Species differentiation of Gesneriaceae	KOKUBUGATA Goro
Species differentiation of plants that are found both in the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and in Taiwan	KOKUBUGATA Goro
Phylesis and geographical distribution of Zosteraceae	TANAKA Norio
Phylesis and genetic structure of brackish water plants	TANAKA Norio
Genetic structure of tropical sea weeds	TANAKA Norio
Evolution of epiphytic characteristics of Liparis kumokiri (Orchidaceae)	TSUTSUMI Chie
Taxonomy, phylesis and evolution of Pteridophyta	TSUTSUMI Chie

Research project title	Chief curator
Distribution of minerals that contain rare metals in the Japanese archipelago	MATSUBARA Satoshi
Research on the mineralogy of zeolite	MATSUBARA Satoshi

Research project title	Chief curator
Requirements for the formation of secondary minerals on the earth’s surface	MATSUBARA Satoshi / MIYAWAKI Ritsuro
Petrological study of sandstone in the Japanese archipelago	YOKOYAMA Kazumi / TSUTSUMI Yukiyasu
Chronology of granite and metamorphic rocks in the Japanese archipelago	YOKOYAMA Kazumi / TSUTSUMI Yukiyasu
Study of the Earth’s chronology using an ion microprobe	TSUTSUMI Yukiyasu
Petrological study of volcanic rock	SANO Takashi
Chemical composition and crystalline structure of rare earth metals in pegmatite	MIYAWAKI Ritsuro
Research on the formation of gold and platinum group minerals	MATSUBARA Satoshi / MIYAWAKI Ritsuro
Processing of information related to minerals found in Japan, and creation of an information database	MATSUBARA Satoshi / MIYAWAKI Ritsuro

Research project title	Chief curator
Tertiary period plant groups and biostratigraphy in the Japan Sea rim Region	UEMURA Kazuhiko
Systematic taxonomy of Cretaceous and Palaeogene period plants in East Asia	UEMURA Kazuhiko
Creation of a database for Cenozoic period plant fossils of Japan	UEMURA Kazuhiko
Taxonomy of Tertiary period mammals of the Gobi Desert	TOMIDA Yukimitsu
Phyletic evolution of Leporidae fossils from China	TOMIDA Yukimitsu
Osteology of Pentalagus furnessi and comparative research with previous generations	TOMIDA Yukimitsu
Aquatic adaptations of Plesiosauridae	MANABE Makoto
Taxonomy of Diapsida reptiles of the Mesozoic period	MANABE Makoto
Research on late Miocene period vertebrate fauna fossils of the Northwest Pacific Ocean region	KOHNO Naoki
Phyletic evolution of the pinnipedia among Carnivora	KOHNO Naoki
Organizational evolution of the dental structure of marine mammals	KOHNO Naoki

Research project title	Chief curator
Taxonomy of Bacillariophyceae fossils and extant species	TANIMURA Yoshihiro
Paleoceanographic research of the Cenozoic period	TANIMURA Yoshihiro
Study of the evolution and paleontology of invertebrates in undersea caves	KASE Tomoki
Paleontological study of gastropods	KASE Tomoki
Paleobiogeography of the North Pacific Ocean Cenozoic period shellfish	KASE Tomoki
Phyletic evolution of Ammonitida	SHIGETA Yasunari
Recovery of biodiversity in the early Triassic period	SHIGETA Yasunari
Limnologic study of the Cenozoic period	SAITO Megumi

Research project title	Chief curator
Study of human bone fossils from the mid-Pleistocene period in Java and China	BABA Hisao
Statistical analysis of changes in cranial morphology over different eras, and its causes	MIZOGUCHI Yuji

Research project title	Chief curator
Re-evaluation of human bone fossils from the Pleistocene period in Japan	BABA Hisao / MIZOGUCHI Yuji / SHINODA Kenichi / KAIFU Yousuke / SAKAUE Kazuhiro / KONO Reiko
Research on the genealogy of Jomon and Yayoi period man through analysis of fossil DNA	SHINODA Kenichi
Molecular anthropological study of indigenous people of the Andes region	SHINODA Kenichi
Research on Java man fossils	KAIFU Yousuke
Development and verification of bone-age estimation techniques based on human bone morphology	SAKAUE Kazuhiro
Research on the functions and shape of teeth in primates, including humans	KONO Reiko

Research project title	Chief curator
Investigation into the development of science and technology, focusing on machines manufactured in Japan	SUZUKI Kazuyoshi
Conducting surveys and collecting material related to the development of technologies that laid the foundation for the growth of Japan’s manufacturing industry	SUZUKI Kazuyoshi / TANABE Yoshikazu
Development of electrical and electronic technologies in Japan	MAEJIMA Masahiro

Research project title	Chief curator
Research on the solid state properties of substances in the Earth’s deep interior, and the dynamics of the Earth’s interior	OOSAKO Masahiro
Study of astrophysics through observations of the pulsating variable star and other stellar bodies	SAIJYO Keiichi
Survey and collection of material related to the history of astronomy and geophysics	OOSAKO Masahiro / SAIJYO Keiichi
Physicochemical research into the use of heterogeneous catalysts	WAKABAYASHI Fumitaka
Surface chemistry of molecular reactions on single-crystal metal surfaces	WAKABAYASHI Fumitaka
Astrochemical research centered on the study of meteorites	YONEDA Shigekazu
Creating a database for information on meteorites found in Japan, and making the information public via the Internet	YONEDA Shigekazu
Conducting surveys, collecting and preserving specimens, and creating an information database for material related to the history of chemistry, particularly in Japan	YONEDA Shigekazu / WAKABAYASHI Fumitaka
Observational research on high-temperature emission-line stars	HORAGUCHI Toshihiro
Developmental research into the creation of books on astronomy, image databases, and archives of observational data	HORAGUCHI Toshihiro

Tsukuba Botanical Garden conducted the research activities listed under the “Plant Diversity and Conservation Division” of the Botany Department, while also taking measures to collect and grow outdoor plant specimens for research and exhibitions, and preserve endangered plants.

Showa Memorial Institute collects and stores research material on natural history and science, mainly of animals and plants. Researchers from Japan and overseas jointly conducted studies in these areas based on the Institute’s collection of specimens.

Institute for Nature Study has been designated a national monument by the Japanese government. It conducts biological research in natural regions in Japan and overseas, implements educational programs in nature studies and nature preservation.

Research project title	Chief curator
Biological studies of reproduction in Alcedinidae	YANO Makoto
Abnormal occurrences in Ivela auripes	YANO Makoto
Biological studies of Japanese laurels	YANO Makoto
Preparation of material for educational programs in nature studies and nature preservation	YANO Makoto
Research related to survey methods of bird populations: comparison of census and capture techniques	HAMAO Shoji
Research on the mutual evolution of Australian Gerygone and brood parasites	HAMAO Shoji
Conservational and biological studies of Dendrocopos kizuki groups in urban green belts	HAMAO Shoji
Research into the sneaking strategy of male Acrocephalus bistrigiceps, and successful reproduction	HAMAO Shoji
Biological studies of the abnormal multiplication of Trachycarpus fortunei, Japanese laurels and other plants in urban areas	HAGIWARA Shinsuke
Research into the creation of an information database for phenological material	HAGIWARA Shinsuke
Analytical Research on the growth of plants in the Institute for Nature	HAGIWARA Shinsuke
Research on Rhopalocera populations in the remaining urban green belts	HISAI Nobuo
Research on the habitats of rare small animal within the Institute	HISAI Nobuo

Research project title	Chief curator
Research on the heritage of industrial modernization, focusing on building structures	SHIMIZU Keiichi
History of industrial technology	SHIMIZU Keiichi / KUBOTA Toshio
Research on traffic- and civil engineering- related structure	KUBOTA Toshio

Research project title	Chief curator
Taxonomic and biological research of Triodontidae	MATSUURA Keiichi
Taxonomic study of young Balistidae	MATSUURA Keiichi
Taxonomic study of Lagocephalus	MATSUURA Keiichi
Research activities listed under “Land Plants Division” of the Botany Department, collection of specimens and other research material, storage, and creation of information databases	AKIYAMA Shinobu
Taxonomic study of Orchidaceae in Asia	AKIYAMA Shinobu