On 6 December 2025, the Japan Mountain Day Foundation (JMDF) hosted the International Mountain Day 2025 Symposium: “Mountains and Water – Considering Glaciers and Watershed Communities” in a virtual format from Tokyo, Japan. Bringing together leading scientists and mountain practitioners, the event highlighted how glaciers, watersheds, and local communities are interconnected and why safeguarding mountain water cycles is essential for our collective future.
The symposium was organized to mark International Mountain Day (IMD), also to commemorate the event celebrating Japan’s accession to the Mountain Partnership in April 2025. As JMDF’s inaugural MP-related public programme, it aimed to strengthen Japan’s contribution to global mountain initiatives. Approximately 150 participants joined the study from across Japan.
Keynote speaker Professor Dr. Emeritus Osamu Matsuda (Hiroshima University), a leading scholar of SATOUMI and watershed culture, emphasized that “mountains are living reservoirs that nurture biodiversity, culture, and community identity.” Drawing from decades of fieldwork, he described how mountain–sea linkages shape daily life and why traditional knowledge remains vital for environmental stewardship.
The second keynote was delivered by Professor Dr. Daniel Hunkeler (University of Neuchâtel, Switzerland), who presented recent findings on the impact of climate change on groundwater recharge and glacier-fed river systems. He noted that shrinking glaciers will transform water availability across Asia and require new, collaborative approaches: “Only by integrating hydrology, community knowledge, and policy frameworks can we build resilience in mountain regions.”
The programme concluded with a panel discussion examining the future of watershed communities in Japan and beyond. The panelists underscored the importance of education, youth engagement, and cross-regional learning to strengthen adaptive capacity. Participants also discussed the need for international cooperation so that diverse mountain communities can speak with “one mountain voice.”
The symposium marked a major milestone for the JMDF. Japan is the only country in the world with a national holiday dedicated to mountains—“Mountain Day” on 11 August. By aligning this national initiative with IMD and the Mountain Partnership, JMDF seeks to amplify Asia-Pacific perspectives and contribute more actively to global mountain advocacy efforts.
JMDF President Masahiko Kaji stated, “Mountains sustain not only ecosystems but also our cultures and future generations. As a Mountain Partnership member, Japan is committed to connecting science, policy, and society to safeguard the world’s mountain environments.”
Comprehensive recordings, programme details, and speaker profiles are available on the JMDF website.
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