Koo Bonjun, IMS Assistant Professor
Researcher’s Profile
・Koo Bonjun, IMS Assistant Professor at Center for Creation of Symbiosis Society with Risk
・Research Interest: Disaster risk management, ultra-multidisciplinary research
After graduating from the new materials engineering faculty of a university in Korea, assistant professor Koo obtained master’s and doctoral degrees from Kyoto University’s Department of Urban Management. Koo brings a wealth of research experience in several countries to IMS.
As a university student, Koo served with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which implements Korea’s official development assistance (ODA); he was sent to Mongolia where he taught specialized knowledge to local university students. During his time there, he developed a strong interest in Mongolia’s air pollution problems and decided that he wanted to research natural disasters and the environment in developing countries. After returning to Korea and graduating from university, he went to work for the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), an international organization, where he researched green growth strategies in developing countries to support those countries’ green growth. Exposed to cooperative relationships with experts in various fields, he began dreaming of becoming a more sophisticated and more international scholar. Since Japan is a leader in environmental and disaster studies, he decided in 2016 to study at Kyoto University for master’s and doctoral degrees. While studying there, he was involved in research to solve air pollution using the community participation model. During his doctoral course, he received a scholarship and spent six months studying air pollution in Iceland. After obtaining his doctorate, he worked as a researcher at the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature. He took up his post at YNU, originator of safety engineering in Japan, in December 2022.
Through his work at YNU, Koo has advanced his research in cooperation with many stakeholders. He has obtained results in the field of ultra-interdisciplinary research, and through sustained efforts in the face of social change, his specific goal is to contribute to local communities.
What do you think about the research environment at IMS and the atmosphere there?
The feeling of freedom at IMS is very appealing. Everyone supports ideas proposed, and I have been able to accomplish many things here. At the recent Bosai Kokutai 2023, a national disaster prevention meet sponsored by the Cabinet Office and held at YNU, I took part in the children’s disaster prevention conference program. This event was very successful, thanks to the cooperation of numerous people, starting from the preparatory stage.
IMS is also an international research organization, which actively works with similar organizations in Korea, Norway, and many other countries. Recently, I made business trips to China and Korea to hold meetings about my projects and conduct local surveys.
Another point that makes IMS so great is that it is easy to communicate. If there is something I want to consult about, I don’t hesitate to approach the head of the center, other professors, or center staff. I really feel very fortunate to have been able to come to IMS.
What are you looking forward to from now on, as far as your life in Japan is concerned?
One of my professors once told me that I had adjusted well to life in Japan and to research methods here. In workplaces in Korea, speed is important. Meanwhile, in Japan, every step of the work is done with everyone working together to check that everything has been done properly. In terms of my personality, I think the latter style of work suits me better. And socially speaking, Japanese society values privacy, so people are careful not to intrude into others’ personal affairs. I want to enjoy life in Japan so that I can harmonize both work and personal life with the environment here.
Another point is that I love baseball. I often played baseball as a university student in Korea, and I often go to see baseball games since I’ve been living in Japan. I haven’t played in more than 10 years, but if I had the chance, I’d love to join a corporate team or a researchers’ team and enjoy playing with the team. That’s something I’m looking forward to in the future.
Since coming to YNU, I have been teaching graduate students for the first time. I was surprised to hear young people state their opinions directly; that frankness has helped narrow the distance between the students and me. I like this kind of relationship and atmosphere. When I guide research and students improve their research findings based on my advice, that makes me feel that teaching them has value and gives me satisfaction. I’m looking forward to enjoying interaction with students in the future as well.
Out of a perfect score of 100, how would you rate your life so far?
I’d say between 80 and 90. Looking back over my life so far, I’ve had many valuable experiences. In my 20s and 30s, I worked in international aid in Mongolia, conducted research in Japan, and worked in an international organization, so I’ve had a variety of experiences. Later, I obtained my doctorate, and I’ve also fulfilled my life and professional goals in Japan. I’ve been able to have a family as well.
At present, I would like to further improve my capabilities so that I can build a better career. Achieving all these goals may allow me to reach a score of 100.
What are your future goals in life?
As far as my research goals are concerned, I want to become No. 1 in the ultra-multidisciplinary research field. So far, few researchers are interested in this area, so through my work at YNU, I want many people to remember me as an expert in the field of ultra-multidisciplinary research. That’s my aspiration in research.
In terms of international exchanges, I would like to use the international network I have built up through my research up to now, to promote joint research and friendly relations with researchers from other countries so that I can act as an international hub. I’ve had experience as a researcher in several countries, not only in Korea but also in Japan, Iceland, and Mongolia, as well as in an international organization. That gave me the opportunity to establish many international connections, which has laid the foundations for my role as a bridge in the future.
As a researcher, my goal is to approach research with an open mind. I don’t believe there is anyone in the world who understands everything. Going forward, I want to have the courage to admit to what I don’t understand or am not capable of doing, display a flexible attitude toward opinions that differ from mine, and pursue self-development.