Dr. Isamu Yamada (1943–2025), Professor Emeritus of Kyoto University, passed away on June 9th, 2025. Professor Yamada joined the Center in 1975. After serving as an agricultural, forestry, and fisheries officer for eight years, he returned to the Center as an associate professor in 1988 and was promoted to professor in 1995. As an agricultural scientist, he conducted extensive research on forest ecology and human activities in Southeast Asia, making significant contributions to the development of comprehensive area studies on tropical forest ecosystems. He also dedicated himself to guiding students as a faculty member of the Graduate School of Agriculture’s Tropical Agriculture Program, the Southeast Asian Studies Program within the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies, and later within the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies. Upon learning of his passing, we, the Center faculty and staff, deeply mourn Professor Yamada’s loss and extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.

Director, Center for Southeast Asian Studies
Fumiharu Mieno