SPEAKERS

Isamu Wakana

Marimo Researcher, Kushiro City World Natural Heritage Promotion Office

Born in 1957, Mizusawa City,Iwate Prefecture (now Oshu City),Wakana was raised in Hanamaki City. He studied plant physiology at Yamagata University and algae ecology at Hokkaido University Graduate School. Since 1991, he has been involved in the protection and management of the special natural monument Marimo in Lake Akan through the Akan Town Board of Education (now the Kushiro City Board of Education).
In addition to domestic work, Wakana has conducted field studies at marimo lakes around the world, including Lake Myvatn in Iceland, working to uncover the mysteries of the marimo and promoting conservation efforts. In 2012, he developed the Marimo Conservation and Management Plan, a guiding framework for marimo preservation. With the motto “Marimo belongs to everyone,” he leads community-based activities in collaboration with a global research network.
His research has contributed to a reevaluation of the natural environment surrounding Lake Akan, highlighting the unique ecosystem ofthe Akan caldera lake area. Building on these findings, he has been working on a project since 2024 to achieve World Natural Heritage designation for the Akan region.