Establishment of the Institute of Freshwater Biology and Acquisition of Research Facilities

Nagano University established the Institute of Freshwater Biology on April 1, 2021. Nagano University also officially acquired the former Ueda Station of the National Research Institute of Fisheries Science (Komaki, Ueda City, 24,000 square meters), which had become national property, on July 30, 2021. The acquired facilities are centered around two research buildings and include an outdoor experimental pond drawing water from the Chikuma River, a waterfront environment with a natural waterway, indoor and outdoor experimental breeding facilities using well water, and a large wet laboratory.

The Institute of Freshwater Biology will make full use of the facilities and equipment to conduct research with three main activities: (1) research on the nature of the Chikuma River basin, (2) an international and national research and education network base, and (3) promotion of cutting-edge biological research and aquaculture technology using the facilities, and contribute to the regeneration of the Chikuma River and the development of the region. Currently, the organization consists of 11 staff members, including a director (professor), an assistant professor, a visiting associate professor, four research support staff, two facilities management and technical assistants, an administrative director, and an administrative staff member.