Dr. Kunio Iwatsuki was born in 1934 in Kaibara-cho (now Tamba City), Hyogo Prefecture, Japan.  He specialized in botany at the Faculty of Science of Kyoto University and completed a Bachelor’s Degree.  He also finished his Master’s Degree and earned his PhD. Degree at Kyoto University (Botany).  He served in various positions such as professor at Kyoto University, The University of Tokyo, Rikkyo University and The Open University of Japan, president of The Botanical Society of Japan, and member of the Science Council of Japan, the Central Environment Council, and Japanese National Commission for UNESCO.  He served as Director of Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo from April 2003 to March 2013.  Now he serves in a variety of posts including Director Emeritus of Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo, and Professor Emeritus of The University of Tokyo.

In 1994, he was awarded a Duke of Edinburgh Prize by The Japan Academy for his research, “Systematic Study of Plant Biodiversity and Conservation Biology on Threatened Species.”  He was also named a Person of Cultural Merit in 2007.

Museum of Nature and Human Activities, Hyogo: http://hitohaku.jp