Position

• Dean, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo 
• Professor, Department of Systems Innovation, The University of Tokyo
  
  
• Director, Academic Strategy Office, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
• Director, Corporate & External Relations Planning Office, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo
• Director / Principal Research Scientist, Ocean Resources Research Center for Next Generation, Chiba Institute of Technology

Biography

1985. 3    Bachelor of Science, Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, The University of Tokyo

1987. 3　    Master of Science, Department of Geology, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo

1990. 3    Ph.D., Department of Geology, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo

1990. 4 – 1991.10    JSPS Research Fellow at Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo

1991. 11 – 2000. 4    Assistant Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Science, Yamaguchi University

1997. 5 – 1997. 10    Monbusyo (MEXT) Fellowship Program for Japanese Scholars and Researchers to Study Abroad, Harvard University

1999. 3 – 1999. 4    Monbusyo (MEXT) Fellowship Program for Japanese Scholars and Researchers to Study Abroad, The University of Cambridge

2000. 5 – 2007. 3    Associate Professor, Department of Geosystem Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

2007. 4 – 2012. 3    Associate Professor, Department of Systems Innovation, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

2012 .4 – present    Professor, Frontier Research Center for Energy and Resources, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

2012. 4 – 2024. 3   Visiting Principal Scientist, Research and Development Center for Submarine Resources, JAMSTEC

2017. 4 – present    Director / Principal Research Scientist, Ocean Resources Research Center for Next Generation, Chiba Institute of Technology

2018. 4 – 2020. 3    Director, Frontier Research Center for Energy and Resources, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

2020. 4 – 2023. 3    Vice Dean, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

2023. 4 – present    Dean, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo

Prizes

The Commendation for Science and Technology by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (Public Understanding Promotion Category), Apr. 2023.

The Rare Earth Society of Japan Award (Shiokawa Award) for 2019, May. 2019.

2018 Nikkei Global Environmental Technology Awards (The Grand Prize), Oct. 2018.

Dean’s Award 2017 (Special Recognition) of School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo. Dec. 2018

Best Teaching Award 2016 of Faculty of Engineering, the University of Tokyo, Oct. 2016.

Contact

ykato@@sys.t.u-tokyo.ac.jp (Please remove one "@")

Message

Research activities require a strong inquisitive desire to know something new and comprehensive vitality including physical strength, intelligence and patience to support it. It is also important to have a passion for contributing to society and humanity. We welcome students with a passionate heart.