Outline

RECWET booklet
(Jul 2025 edition)

Since the establishment in 2000, we have been conducting research and development of cutting-edge water environment control technologies using diverse approaches based on the integration and collaboration of basic sciences such as microbial ecology and practical studies such as water treatment engineering in order to meet the social challenges and expectations of realizing a sustainable water environment.
In 2019, the center was reorganized into three divisions. We are currently promoting research and education in collaboration with water-related researchers in a wider range of fields within the university, including Chemistry and biotechnology, Civil engineering and Material engineering. Additionally, Laboratory of International Wastewater-based Epidemiology, which was established in March 2024, is working to implement technologies developed through industry-academia collaboration in society. Furthermore, in October 2024, Shinshu University/The University of Tokyo Collaboration Branch Office was established, aiming to integrate advanced research in the water field by collaborating with Shinshu University.
Moreover, our activities in the water fields, including international cooperation, human resource development, and hosting international conferences, mainly conducted in Asia, are gaining international recognition. We will continue to promote research and education activities with the aim of becoming an international research hub for water environmental engineering. We would appreciate your continued support for the activities of the center.

News & TopicsArchive＞

2026/01/29
[Lecture] Public Symposium at InterAqua 2026 (Prof. Takai, Emeritus Prof. Kato)

At InterAqua 2026 (Jan 28-30 @ Tokyo Big Sight), one of Japan's largest water business exhibitions, Research Group on Future Lifestyles and Water Science, chaired by Prof. Madoka Takai (Water Quality Control Technologies and Materials Development), held an exhibitor seminar on Jan 29.
At this open symposium, which was fully booked through advance registration, Prof. Takai gave opening remarks and an introduction to the research group, while Emeritus Prof. Takashi Kato (Shinshu U/UTokyo Collaboration Branch Office) gave a lecture.

Website
InterAqua 2026　 Seminar Schedule　 Details of the public seminar
Research Group on Future Lifestyles and Water Science

● 高井まどか (2026) 開会挨拶・未来のくらしと水の科学研究会の紹介
● 加藤隆史 (2026) 水の科学および自己組織化の化学を基盤とする水処理ナノ高分子膜の進展
未来のくらしと水の科学研究会 公開シンポジウム, InterAqua 2026, Jan 29, 東京ビッグサイト Aqua Stage.
2026/01/23
[Media] Announcement! "Women In Tech 30" 2026 (Prof. Oguma)

Forbes Japan announced "Women in Tech 30" 2026 in its March issue. Prof. Kumiko Oguma (International Water Environment), the first person from outside the West to be elected as the President-Elect of the International Ultraviolet Association, was selected as one of the 30 women who will change the world in the field of technology. Her activities and profile were introduced in the magazine.
Image：Forbes JAPAN MAGAZINE

● 小熊久美子 (2026) 欧米以外で初、国際紫外線協会会長に, 「Women in Tech 30」2026 テクノロジー領域で世界を変える女性30人, Forbes Japan 3月号 (1/23発売）, p.76-79.
2026/01/16
[Event] Special Seminar Series #69 (Dr. Junyue (Holden) Wang/Lecture)

Dr. Junyue (Holden) Wang from the University of Maine in the United States, who specializes in disinfection of pathogenic microorganisms and oxidation treatment of persistent organic matter, gave a lecture on his latest research findings in the morning of January 16th. Dr. Holden, who has been conducting research in the United States for nearly seven years, answered questions from each participant in detail. The seminar also included a participant from the Graduate School of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Seminar details

2025/12/25
[Award] Selected for Highly Ranked Scholar in 2025 (Emeritus Prof. Kato & Project Prof. Kitajima)

Emeritus Prof. Takashi Kato (Shinshu U/UTokyo Collaboration Branch Office) and Project Prof. Masaaki Kitajima (International Wastewater-based Epidemiology) were recognized as Top Scholars in ScholarGPS, run by Meta Analytics LLC in the United States, for ranking in the top 0.5% of researchers worldwide in the following research fields in 2025.

Takashi Kato, 2025 scholar profile and ranking
● Lifetime:
　#14,454　Overall (All Fields)
　#　 　4　Liquid crystal
Masaaki Kitajima, 2025 scholar profile and ranking
● Lifetime:
　#66　Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus
　#79　Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
● Prior Five Years:
　# 9　Wastewater
　#21　Environment (systems)
　#57　RNA
　#62　Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus
　#65　Severe acute respiratory syndrome
　#75　Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
2025/12/23
[Lecture] Invited lecture at Biotechnology Study Group (Prof. Takai)

Prof. Madoka Takai (Water Quality Control Technologies and Materials Development) gave a lecture at the "Biotechnology for the Future" study group seminar held online by the Japan Bioindustry Association on December 23rd. In the lecture, she introduced examples of applications for surface modification materials that prevent biofouling adhesion.

● 高井まどか (2025) アメーバハイドロゲルでバイオ素材の機能を解き放つ　― 生体物質の安定化と新たな応用展開, "未来へのバイオ技術"勉強会「バイオ素材百花繚乱20～社会課題の解決に資するバイオ素材3選」, 一般財団法人バイオインダストリー協会, Dec 23, Zoom配信.