Our visiting associate professor, Marlène Ngansop, who stayed at TUFS during the spring semester of the 2026 academic year, has returned to Cameroon after completing her term. In addition to giving lectures at TUFS, she also delivered talks at the ASC seminar, at other universities, and to a class of Africa‑major students. We look forward to seeing her again in Japan!

Visit to the National Museum of Nature and Science, Tokyo-Ueno On the August 1 st, I visited the National Museum of Nature and Science in Ueno with Pr. Takanori Oishi. The museum is remarkably large, offering extensive exhibition spaces that cover various fields, including Japanese culture, natural history, biodiversity, geology, and scientific research. The organization of the museum allows visitors to explore the relationships between humans, nature, and scientific discoveries through different thematic exhibitions. Exhibitions on Japanese Culture and Human History A dedicated section of the museum presents the results of research activities conducted by the Research Institute for Humanity and Nature (RIHN), highlighting its interdisciplinary approach that integrates natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities to address global environmental challenges. Through collaborative research on biodiversity conservation, sustainable resource management, and human nature relationships, RIHN demonstrates the importance of combining scientific knowledge with social and cultural perspectives. This exhibition reinforced the idea that effective biodiversity conservation requires a comprehensive understanding of both ecosystems and the societies that depend on them. One section of the museum is dedicated to Japanese culture and human experiences, presenting objects, models, and research projects that illustrate daily life, cultural practices, and the evolution of human societies. The museum also showcases various research activities, including projects conducted in collaboration with the institution, highlighting the contribution of scientific research to understanding human history and interactions with the environment. Flora, Fauna, and Natural History Collections I also explored several floors presenting the flora and fauna of Japan and other regions of the world. The museum houses an impressive diversity of biological collections, including plant specimens, minerals, zoological collections and human evolution. This structure facilitates learning and encourages visitors to develop a deeper understanding of biodiversity and scientific discovery. Visitors can observe both taxidermy specimens and realistic representations of animals in their natural environments, providing a better understanding of species diversity, ecology, and evolutionary history. One of the highlights of my visit was the opportunity to take a photograph with the "Lucy" specimen, a highly realistic replica of the famous Australopithecus afarensis fossil. This representation provides an impressive visualization of human evolution and allows visitors to better appreciate the history of our species. Scientific Approach and Educational Value What distinguishes the Ueno National Museum of Nature and Science is the strong scientific approach underlying the entire collection. The information panels accompanying each specimen go beyond simple identification; they provide details on species ecology, behavior, biological characteristics, evolutionary history, and their significance within natural systems. This approach reflects the mission of a modern natural history museum, where collections serve not only for display but also for education, research, and knowledge transmission. Educational Importance & Reflection for the Millennium Ecologic Museum (MEM) A visit to the Ueno National Museum of Nature and Science represents a valuable learning opportunity, particularly for students and young people interested in science, biology, ecology, and research careers. As a curator at the Millennium Ecologic Museum (MEM), the first natural history museum in Central Africa, this visit was particularly inspiring. Located in Yaoundé, Cameroon, the museum is a scientific institution whose vision and mission are to conserve the biodiversity of Cameroon and the Congo Basin for present and future generations. Located in a natural site, MEM has developed the innovative concept of an eco-museum-laboratory, bringing together living biodiversity, scientific collections, researchers, and the public in a single location. Its activities encompass biodiversity conservation, scientific research, environmental education, scientific ecotourism, and the promotion of sustainable natural resource management. This experience provided me with valuable insights into the organization and development of museum exhibitions, particularly the thematic structuring and presentation of collections to make scientific knowledge more accessible, engaging, and relevant to diverse audiences. Together with Pr. Takanori Oishi, we discussed the possibility of developing similar exhibitions at MEM through collaborations with government ministries, universities, research institutions, and embassies in Cameroon. Such initiatives could strengthen scientific communication, promote biodiversity awareness, and further enhance the role of MEM as a platform for education, research, scientific ecotourism, and cultural exchange. Report and photographs by Dr. Marlène NGANSOP.

Visit to Jindaiji Buddhist Temple, Tokyo-Chofu On 31 July, I visited Jindaiji Temple, one of Japan's oldest and most renowned Buddhist temples. Located in Chofu, Tokyo. Dedicated to the Buddhist deity Jindai Daishi. It is particularly known for prayers related to good fortune, protection, and harmonious relationships. The weather was pleasant, making the visit particularly enjoyable. Beyond its architectural beauty and tranquil atmosphere, what impressed me most was the strong attachment of the Japanese people to their cultural and spiritual heritage. The temple complex also includes a cemetery dedicated to companion animals (pets), something I had never encountered before. It was my first time seeing a cemetery where dogs, cats, and other beloved pets are memorialized. I observed several visitors praying and paying their respects at these graves, illustrating the deep emotional bond between people and their animals and the respect accorded to them even after death. Throughout the visit, I observed worshippers participating in religious ceremonies, offering prayers, and making offerings at different shrines. Many visitors purchased or carried omamori (protective amulets), which are believed to bring good fortune, health, success, and protection from misfortune. Witnessing these daily religious practices highlighted how traditional beliefs continue to occupy an important place in modern Japanese society. The visit also provided a deeper understanding of the Japanese perception of the relationship between humans, animals, spirituality, and nature, where respect and remembrance extend beyond human life alone. I observe that, beyond its spiritual importance, Jindaiji Temple is also a vibrant cultural and social destination that attracts both local and international visitors. During my visit, I had a long and enriching conversation with some Japanese visitors, who were interested in learning about my stay in Japan, my research activities, and the significance of this international experience for my academic and personal development. This exchange made the visit even more memorable, demonstrating that the temple serves not only as a place of worship but also as a space where people from different backgrounds can meet, share experiences, and foster mutual understanding. Visit to Jindai Botanical Garden, Tokyo-Chofu On the same day, 31 July, I also visited the Jindai Botanical Garden in Chofu, Tokyo. Established in 1961, the garden covers approximately 49 hectares and hosts a remarkable diversity of plant collections, including more than 100,000 plants and cultivars. The garden is organized into several thematic areas, including the Rose Garden, Azalea Garden, Camellia Garden, Plum and Cherry Tree Collections, Aquatic Plant Area, Greenhouse, and sections dedicated to Japanese and Chinese peony tree species, among others. One particularly interesting section was dedicated to Japan's pioneer tree species, which naturally colonize disturbed environments following natural or human-induced disturbances. These species play a crucial ecological role by stabilizing soils, improving environmental conditions, and facilitating the establishment of later successional forest communities. Among the representative tree species observed were Quercus salicina (Japanese evergreen oak), Quercus variabilis (Chinese cork oak), Fagus crenata (Japanese beech), Carpinus japonica (Japanese hornbeam), Fraxinus sieboldiana (Japanese flowering ash), Koelreuteria bipinnata (Chinese flame tree), Cornus macrophylla (large-leaved dogwood), Celtis sinensis (Chinese hackberry), Styrax japonicus (Japanese snowbell), Neolitsea sericea (Japanese silver tree), Pinus densiflora (Japanese red pine), and Zelkova serrata (Japanese zelkova), all of which are characteristic components of Japan's temperate forests. The tour continued through the famous Rose Garden, which showcased an extraordinary variety of roses in a wide range of colours, shapes, and fragrances. Among the cultivars I identified were "Lilibet, Redcap, Fragrance, Annabelle, Queen of Jindai, Princess Chichibu, Peace, and Papa Meilland". I was fascinated by the distinctive names given to many of these roses, several of which are inspired by women's names or iconic female figures. I also explored the large greenhouse, where many flowering plants were in full bloom. The begonias were particularly striking, displaying countless shades of pink, red, white, orange and salmon. The richness and intensity of their colours made for a striking spectacle and illustrated the remarkable ornamental diversity achieved through horticultural selection. I also visited the section dedicated to tropical forest understorey plants, which featured a rich collection of ornamental species characterised by the diversity of their foliage, textures and growth habits. This section also fuelled my reflections on the Cameroon Embassy's participation in the Green Expo 2027, particularly with regard to showcasing Cameroon's exceptional tropical biodiversity and its various ecosystems. Another memorable experience was observing the collection of carnivorous plants, including species of Venus flytrap (Dionaea muscipula), pitcher plants (Nepenthes spp.), and sundews (Drosera spp.). Seeing these fascinating plants in their natural form was especially interesting because they are often portrayed in cartoons and movies as dangerous "man-eating" plants. In reality, they are highly specialized species that have evolved ingenious mechanisms to trap small insects, enabling them to obtain nutrients in nutrient-poor environments. Overall, the visit to Jindai Botanical Garden offered valuable insights into Japan's botanical richness, ranging from native forest ecology and ecological succession to ornamental horticulture and unique plant adaptations. The diversity of collections reflects Japan's strong commitment to biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and the preservation of its botanical heritage. The botanical garden is exceptionally large and remarkably well organized, with clearly identified thematic sections that make it easy for visitors to explore its diverse collections. Unfortunately, the intense summer heat and strong sunshine limited the duration of my visit, preventing me from exploring every section of the garden. Report and photographs by Dr. Marlène NGANSOP.

Our visiting associate proffessor. Marlène visited the Ambassador of Cameroon on July 27 and had a pleasant conversation. She kindly wrote a report about the meeting, so please take a moment to read it. Visit to the Embassy of the Republic of Cameroon in Japan On Monday 27 July, I had the honour of being received by His Excellency the Ambassador Dr Pierre Ndzengue of the Republic of Cameroon to Japan, in the presence of his close colleagues: the First Counsellor and the First Secretary. This visit provided a unique opportunity to present the main academic and scientific activities I have undertaken in Japan over the past five months. During our discussions, I outlined my teaching and research activities at the Centre for African Studies at the University of Tokyo (TUFS), as well as the collaborative projects we have established with Japanese institutions. I also highlighted TUFS's initiatives aimed at strengthening academic exchanges between Cameroon and Japan, notably through student and academic researcher mobility, as well as through the development of scientific partnerships between higher education institutions in both countries. His Excellency the Ambassador and his colleagues welcomed these initiatives and were delighted to note the active presence of Cameroonian researchers in Japan. They emphasised the importance of further developing academic exchange programmes and promoting opportunities for Cameroonian lecturers and researchers to teach at Japanese universities. They also expressed their satisfaction with Cameroonian researchers' commitment to strengthening scientific cooperation between Cameroon and Japan. Discussions also focused on promoting academic mobility in both directions by encouraging the exchange of Japanese students in Cameroon and Cameroonian students in Japan. The Ambassador reaffirmed the Embassy's willingness to support any initiative contributing to the development of academic, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two countries. A significant part of the discussions focused on Cameroon's participation in the 2027 International Horticultural Expo (GREEN EXPO 2027), to be held in Yokohama and dedicated to horticulture. The event's opportunities to promote Cameroon's horticultural, environmental, and cultural potential to the Japanese public and international partners were discussed. It was emphasised that universities and researchers could help showcase Cameroon's botanical potential at this international event. Finally, His Excellency the Ambassador expressed his support for the actions undertaken and gave his agreement in principle to support, in accordance with current administrative procedures, initiatives aimed at strengthening academic, scientific and institutional partnerships between Cameroon and Japan. ( Dr. Marlène NGANSOP)