History

PI: Jun Akamine (Hitotsubashi University)

This research project aims to elucidate two primary objectives: (1) the adaptation of Homo sapiens to cold environments from a historical human evolutionary perspective, and (2) the processes of formation and geopolitical transformation of the circumpolar world by establishing a modern-to-contemporary, medium-term timeframe. A primary distinction between the Arctic and the Antarctic is that the Arctic is home to eight nation-states inhabited by diverse populations, including indigenous communities. This study seeks to situate circumpolar regions within their broader interregional connections.

The primary focus of objective (1) is Mongolia, which is posited to have been inhabited by the ancestral Yana population that migrated to Siberia. Through genetic and nuclear DNA analysis of human remains excavated from Mongolian archaeological sites, as well as artifact research, we aim to elucidate the process by which the ancestors of contemporary Arctic peoples adapted to cold environments.

For topic (2), with a primary focus on the fisheries sector, we aim to clarify the dynamics of global regional interconnections shaped by the flow of people, marine products, and capital, while tracing changes in the distribution process from production to consumption of seafood. Specifically, we will (a) examine the rise and fall of whaling industries in the North Pacific, North Atlantic, and Arctic Ocean, and (b) analyze how fisheries targeting cold-water species such as cod, herring, and salmon have formed and expanded from multiple perspectives, including technological and economic development, international treaties, domestic law, and consumer trends. We will position the contemporary issue of the “sustainable use of fishery resources” within the context of Japan, and conduct research that contributes to Japan’s international engagement.

Encouraging “responsible consumption” is a consideration not only in Japan, but also in other parts of Asia, where fish consumption is high. This project actively pursues outreach efforts to fulfill this social responsibility.