Gifu University and Gifu Prefecture signed "Agreement on establishment of Gifu Prefecture Climate Change Adaptation Center (name tentative)" on January 17, 2020.

The Center will open within campus in April 2020. Gifu University researchers who are specializing in climate, water environment, forestry, agriculture, etc. will collect, sort and analyze possible impacts and data of climate change within Gifu Prefecture. Based on the information collected, they will predict effects from climate change on industries, businesses and natural environment in Gifu and will work to meet the needs of people in the prefecture. In addition, they will engage in human resource development to deal with risk management, and make their research outcomes public to raise people's awareness of changes in climate and environmental issues.

In 2018, the Climate Change Adaptation Act came into effect to tackle climate changes across Japan, and the joint establishment of the center between university (Gifu University) and local government (Gifu Prefectural Government) is the first in Japan enabling the center to be on the leading edge to fight extreme weather and the warming of our planet.

In the signing ceremony on January 17, President of Gifu University, Hisataka Moriwaki said, "The establishment of the center is the first in Japan in terms of realizing close collaborations between university and local government. In April 2020, the new Tokai National Higher Education and Research System will start, but our commitment to contributing to local community remains unchanged. We will continue to work closely with Gifu Prefecture."

Governor of Gifu Prefecture, Hajime Furuta also expressed his strong hopes for synergistic effects to be generated through strong cooperation with Gifu University.

Gifu University and Gifu Prefecture will jointly address issues for climate changes, environment, etc. in years to come.