Yutaka Takahasi

Yutaka Takahasi (高橋裕, Takahashi Yutaka, July 28, 1927 – May 26, 2021) was a Japanese engineer notable for his work on river basin management and reduction of water-related disasters.^[1]

Takahasi received the 2015 Japan Prize "for the contribution to development of innovative concept on river basin management and reduction of water-related disasters."^[2]

His work showed that many previous 'river improvements' resulted in increase in flood discharges, with his recommendations changing Japanese river management policies from the 1980s onward.^[3]

Early life and education

Takahasi was the son of Goro Takahashi, an expert in citrus cultivation. He received his B.E. in Engineering from the University of Tokyo in 1950, where he also graduated with a Ph.D. in Engineering in 1964 while working as an Associate Professor.

Career and research

Takahasi was appointed Lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Tokyo in 1955, and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1961, and full professor in 1968. He became professor emeritus in 1988. He was also Professor in the Faculty of Engineering at Shibaura Institute of Technology from 1987 to 1998.

Death

Yutaka Takahasi died on May 26, 2021, at the age of 93.^[4]

Awards

1978 Nepal Suprabal Gorakha Dakshin Bafu
1981 L’Ordre des Palmes Academiques, Chevalier (France)
1987 National Land Agency Achievement Award for Water Resources
1994 Meijimura Award
1998 JSCE (Japan Society of Civil Engineers) Achievement Award
2000 IWRA (International Water Resources Association) Crystal Drop Award
2007 The Order of the Sacred Treasure, second class
2011 JAGH (Japanese Association of Groundwater Hydrology) Academic Award
2015 Japan Prize^[5]

References

^ Normile, Dennis (2015-01-29). "Work focusing on the health of humans and of rivers nets 2015 Japan Prizes". Science. AAAS. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
^ "The Japan Prize Foundation". The Japan Prize Foundation. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
^ Biswas, Asit K.; Tortajada, Cecilia (December 2009). "Yutaka Takahasi: A Tribute". Water Resources Development. 25 (4): 543–545. doi:10.1080/07900620903403427. S2CID 155025352.
^ "高橋裕（1927～2021 / 河川工学者東京大学名誉教授）が読売新聞コラム「顔」に記した水害の名言 [今週の防災格言494]". Shisokuyubi. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
^ "Laureates of the Japan Prize". The Japan Prize Foundation. Retrieved 17 December 2019.

[1] Normile, Dennis (2015-01-29). "Work focusing on the health of humans and of rivers nets 2015 Japan Prizes". Science. AAAS. Retrieved 2020-12-12.

[2] "The Japan Prize Foundation". The Japan Prize Foundation. Retrieved 17 December 2019.

[3] Biswas, Asit K.; Tortajada, Cecilia (December 2009). "Yutaka Takahasi: A Tribute". Water Resources Development. 25 (4): 543–545. doi:10.1080/07900620903403427. S2CID 155025352.

[4] "高橋裕（1927～2021 / 河川工学者東京大学名誉教授）が読売新聞コラム「顔」に記した水害の名言 [今週の防災格言494]". Shisokuyubi. Retrieved 14 October 2023.

[5] "Laureates of the Japan Prize". The Japan Prize Foundation. Retrieved 17 December 2019.

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