National Institute for Environmental Studies

The National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES:国立環境研究所, Kokuritsu-Kankyō kenkyūsho) was established in 1974 as a focal point for environmental research in Japan. In 2001 it became an Independent Administrative Institution. NIES is organised into eight centers, each of which is subdivided into a further number of sections responsible for different specializations within the broader field to which they belong. The eight centers are responsible for research in eight different fields, with programs dedicated to these research areas.

History
July 1971     Environment Agency established

November 1971 NIES Founding Committee established

March 1974    National Institute for Environmental Studies established

April 1985    Emperor Showa visits NIES

July 1990     Restructuring of NIES to include global environmental research

October 1990  Center for Global Environmental Research established

January 2001  Environment Agency becomes Ministry of the Environment. Waste Management Division established at NIES

April 2001    NIES established as an incorporated administrative agency. First five-year plan (2001–2005) commences List of Independent Administrative Institutions (Japan)