Japan’s rice paddies are home to a diverse range of living creatures. One person dedicated to sharing the beauty of this ecosystem and protecting it is “Rice Paddy Sommelier” Takao Hayashi. Originally working as a designer, he became interested in biodiversity in rice paddies after learning about the endangered status of the medaka (Japanese rice fish). This led him to fully commit to environmental conservation efforts. For over 20 years, he has been bridging agriculture and nature conservation, developing unique initiatives such as the “Biodiversity Improvement Points Certification.” In this interview, we spoke with Mr. Hayashi about his journey as a “Rice Paddy Sommelier”, his passion for biodiversity, and his vision for the future.
The journey to becoming a Rice Paddy Sommelier
Morgane：Thank you very much for taking the time to speak with us today. When I visited your website, the first thing that caught my eye was your occupation: “Rice Paddy Sommelier.” Could you tell us how you came to use this unique title?
Takao Hayashi：Before I started calling myself a “Rice Paddy Sommelier,” there wasn’t really a profession that focused on conserving secondary nature—environments like satoyama1 and rice paddies, where humans play an integral role in maintaining the ecosystem. So, up until COP10 I listed my title on business cards as “Nature Restoration and Conservation Activist.” Today, this would be considered part of the regenerative movement.
After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, I used the title “Bio Analyst,” meaning a messenger who conveys the voices of living creatures who cannot speak. At that time, around 200 people had completed the “Bio Analyst Training Course.” However, the video game Biohazard (Resident Evil) was popular at the time, and the term “Bio” was often associated with negative connotations in Japan. Even my students were not fond of the title.
In 2016, after publishing my book Becoming a Rice Paddy Sommelier, I decided to adopt the title “Rice Paddy Sommelier.”
Morgane: Were you always interested in nature and rice paddies as a child?
Takao Hayashi: As a child, I loved reading books about dinosaurs, insects, and animals. During summer vacations, I would visit my parents’ hometowns in Chiba and Mie Prefectures, where I spent my time searching for aquatic insects, rhinoceros beetles, and stag beetles in the rice paddies and woodlands. Since both of my parents were designers who had graduated from art universities, I spent the autumn to spring months drawing constantly.
When I was around ten years old, my parents divorced, and my interests shifted toward rock music and martial arts, which provided me with a sense of belonging. However, since I was good at drawing, I decided to pursue an art career and enrolled in an art university. During my university years, I became the leader of the martial arts club and even placed second in a national shoot boxing competition. I loved entertaining the audience—it felt like it fulfilled my need for recognition.
By the way, one of my martial arts videos from my graduate school days has over 390,000 views on YouTube!
Morgane: Art school and martial arts… That seems like a path quite far removed from biodiversity. How did you reconnect with nature?
Takao Hayashi: After graduating, I worked as a graphic designer and later as an art director at an advertising agency. During that time, I was shocked to hear the news that the Japanese medaka fish had become an endangered species. Medaka were once so common that they were never even sold in pet shops—they were just ordinary fish found in rice paddies and small streams. If such a familiar creature could become endangered, I thought, what was happening to the world? I instinctively felt that the disappearance of what we take for granted was the most terrifying thing, and that realization led me to step into the world of ecosystem conservation. Think about it: if the air we take for granted were suddenly gone, we would die. If we lost access to water or food, we wouldn’t survive for long. That’s the same fear I felt when I learned that the medaka was disappearing—something that had always been there was suddenly vanishing.
Morgane: That sounds like an event that reflects the so-called “Holocene Extinction”… Was that the turning point that led you to shift from design to biodiversity conservation?
Takao Hayashi: Yes, I decided to change careers and joined the Japan Ecosystem Association, the organization that introduced the concept of biotopes to Japan. However, transitioning into this industry was not easy. In my first year, I didn’t even pass the first screening. The following year, I barely made it in as an alternate candidate. The competition was intense, with over a thousand applicants each year, and my colleagues came from prestigious national universities, science backgrounds, or had extensive field experience.
I had hoped to do fieldwork, but because of my background in art, I was assigned to editorial work instead. I had left design behind to start fresh, yet here I was doing design again! But in the end, my time there gave me invaluable knowledge about biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, and both domestic and international case studies—treasures that have shaped my career.
Morgane：There are over 4,000 nature conservation organizations in Japan. Why did you choose the Japan Ecosystem Conservation Society?
Takao Hayashi: Among the many nature conservation organizations, I was particularly drawn to the Japan Ecosystem Conservation Society because of its balanced approach—protecting not just individual species but also the ecosystems that support them. They were early adopters of concepts like biotopes, ecological restoration, and mitigation, all of which align with the idea of nature positivity. This was also the time when I became strongly aware of biodiversity as a core framework for designing a sustainable future.
They held study sessions on ecological restoration projects in the U.S. and Germany, as well as on organic farming in places like Cuba and Aya Town in Miyazaki Prefecture. By 2003, I had a clear vision of a world where humans and nature coexist harmoniously.
As I was contemplating where I could focus my efforts to help the greatest number of living creatures thrive, I worked on an illustration for a feature article about how 50% of Japan’s endangered species are those living in rice paddies and satoyama. Looking back, I realize my depiction of landscapes like rice fields and forests was quite poor, as I hadn’t observed them carefully enough at the time. However, that illustration made me realize that humans don’t only harm nature: we can also enrich it! Looking at it now, it is quite an embarrassing drawing, but I’ll share it here because it was a pivotal moment for me.
Takao Hayashi: After that, I joined the NPO Medaka no Gakkou (Medaka School), which primarily conducts surveys on the creatures living in rice paddies.
Morgane: When we spoke last year, you mentioned that it was tough to make a living solely from biodiversity conservation work at the beginning. How was that period for you?
Takao Hayashi: When I switched from being a designer to working in the conservation field, my income dropped drastically. And when I joined an NPO, it became less than half of that (for most NPOs, where the work is volunteer-based, even having a monthly salary is a rare privilege). So, I worked part-time as a sports instructor, teaching martial arts and yoga until late at night. Thanks to that experience, I found joy in speaking in front of people and making them happy, which later helped me with my work as a lecturer and writer. I also got in great shape, so I briefly tried modeling, but I quickly realized it wasn’t a good fit for me since I couldn’t stay still for long.
Through my work at Medaka no Gakkou, I was able to specialize in the field of “rice paddies.” The year I spent there was more fulfilling than my six years in university, and even after I became independent, I continued to maintain a close relationship with the organization, considering them as my mentors. From there, I worked with JA (Japan Agricultural Cooperative), co-ops, educational institutions, organic organizations, agricultural groups, and environmentally conscious producers. For over 20 years, I’ve been giving biodiversity lectures and continuing fieldwork about 50-100 times a year, focusing on agricultural lands.
Morgane: Over the course of 20 years, you’ve certainly had a wide range of encounters.
Takao Hayashi: Yes, I’ve had the opportunity to talk to farmers who practice various agricultural methods, and through them, I experienced the dedication to crop cultivation, local landscapes, food, culture, communities, and ecosystems. From these experiences, I came up with the term “rice paddy sommelier” by combining “rice paddy” (symbolizing rural landscapes, local, and hometown) and “sommelier” (someone who can express and appreciate the depth and differences of taste). I developed a way of savoring things using all five senses, plus a quantum sixth sense. It’s something that AI still can’t replicate, and that’s where I see both excitement and hope.
The “Biodiversity Improvement Points Certification”
Morgane: Could you tell us more about the “Biodiversity Improvement Points Certification” that you’re currently working on?
Takao Hayashi:When you think of certifications, you usually imagine a certification body that evaluates and certifies quality with a mark, which gives people peace of mind because they can just look at the mark and feel safe without much effort. The Biodiversity Improvement Points Certification is different—it’s the living creatures themselves that give their “thank you” and add points for the efforts of farmers in terms of environmental consideration. There are three major areas we focus on:
①Efforts for the future
②Efforts for food safety and security
③Efforts for enhancing biodiversity
This approach doesn’t reject the standards set by agricultural cooperatives, businesses, or retailers, like GAP (Good Agricultural Practice) or existing certifications like organic, pesticide-reduced, or IPM (Integrated Pest Management). Instead, it adds “thank you” points for these efforts. It also allows for a stronger local identity and expands the variety of choices available. Let me explain in more detail:
① Efforts for Food Safety and Security (Organic Farming Practices)
This approach doesn’t emphasize the traditional notion of not using chemical pesticides or fertilizers, as found in conventional organic certification. Instead, it focuses on a slower approach that aligns with the natural principles, which is the origin of the term “organic.” We encourage a more flexible approach. Consumers are generally already in safe spaces, but what if a farmer’s crops get a disease, and they use pesticides in a targeted, minimal way to mitigate the damage and prevent it from spreading? It’s important to consider whether this affects the creatures living on the farm later.
Rather than a strict “yes or no,” “black or white,” “0 or 100” approach, we want to share a more realistic perspective. This can help bring agriculture and consumers closer together and raise society’s understanding of fair trade and environmental issues. We also encourage not contaminating air, water, soil, or genes, ensuring sustainability and a focus on life beyond just the present moment or personal gain—keeping other life forms and future generations in mind. This approach is not just for agriculture, but for all industries.
② Efforts to Enhance Biodiversity
The first step is for producers to conduct a “living creature survey” to understand the general biodiversity on their farmland. Then, they are given points for specific efforts to improve ecosystem balance. This might include creating eco-friendly rice paddies, biotopes, or establishing green corridors that connect habitats for wildlife.
③ Efforts for the Future
This includes initiatives like food and agriculture education, local resource circulation, study sessions, and workshops. It’s about thinking of living creatures, future generations, the present, and the ancestors who have built the foundation for us. The points are awarded for large-scale social contributions that only farmers, as key species in the rice paddy ecosystem, can make.
Each of these efforts is scored, and the score is represented by “Sho” (姓), and as the score increases, the farmer approaches becoming a “Hyakusho” (百姓), a term that reflects the holistic respect for the farming profession. It’s a playful and meaningful certification system.
Morgane: Thank you for the detailed explanation! It’s very interesting that you not only assess current actions but also evaluate future efforts. When did this certification officially start?
Takao Hayashi: The “Biodiversity Improvement Points Certification” started in 2012 after a field visit to a region in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture, where the widespread use of insecticides was halted. The project was initiated by Michiaki Tokue, who had created organic marketing and home delivery distribution systems (like Daichi wo Mamoru Kai and Radish Boya), and who also established and produced the Organic Lifestyle Expo. Together with Atsuo Fujii, president of Anshin Nogyo, specialists in certifications like Co-op GAP and others (including the development of the Bee GAP), we have been working on this for many years. Following the COP10 and the Great East Japan Earthquake and nuclear accident in 2011, biodiversity was largely ignored by the public at the time, but the key figures in the organic and GAP communities realized its importance. This project has been presented annually at expos, with progress updates each year. Although it has evolved significantly from the initial idea of being “another organic certification,” we wanted to create something that was enjoyable and aligned with the times.
About the present and future of agriculture and nature
Morgane: Over the past 20 years of activities across Japan, have you noticed any differences in the challenges or characteristics of different regions?
Takao Hayashi: A common sight is the deteriorating landscape. Despite afforestation efforts reaching the tops of mountains, abandoned artificial forests are left untended. Due to depopulation and an aging population, once-beautiful rural landscapes have turned into wastelands or overgrown bushes. Because even mowing the grass has become difficult, people resort to spraying herbicides, leaving fields with red, dead patches in the summer. In recent years, solar panels have also increased, remarkably so. Many of Japan’s mountain forests are private land, so the government struggles with effective management. When forestry is no longer viable, landowners can’t manage the land either. It’s a series of problems. When agriculture, forestry, and fisheries no longer sustain themselves, the country’s land will deteriorate.
Morgane: This is sad.
Takao Hayashi: Even so, there are still a few regions where people struggling with depopulation are managing to preserve landscapes created by our ancestors, such as “terraced paddy fields” and “reservoirs.” In those places, old Japanese aquatic insects like the gengoro (diving beetle) and tagame (Lethocerus deyrollei) are surviving. We’re launching projects and collaborating with these wonderful areas, using biodiversity as our motto.
Morgane: This is where you are feeling a difference.
Takao Hayashi:Yes, the difference lies in whether people have given up or are fighting to preserve their homeland’s landscape and circular society, even in tough situations. It’s like the scene in the movie Mad Max where the protagonist, wandering through a desolate world, meets a key figure and gets inspired. That feeling is very real. These key figures think about their region even after working hours or on holidays, and they go to Tokyo on their days off to promote local agricultural products at supermarkets and restaurants. Because of passionate people like them, “slow living” agricultural products can find their markets, and these regions have more biodiversity than typical large-scale monoculture areas. I’ve seen firsthand how the actions of these community-driven individuals contribute to increasing biodiversity.
Furthermore, each region has its own climate and local characteristics, and there are experts in agriculture, as well as sake breweries that produce unique, small-batch Japanese sake that is not widely known in cities. Even famous sake breweries have unfiltered pure sake that can only be found locally. Dialects, temperaments, and cultures vary widely. When I first visited a new region, I wasn’t sure if the locals were angry or welcoming—it can be confusing. Japan’s local diversity is truly surprising.
From these observations, I feel that the current trend of centralization is unnatural. I believe we could be entering an era where regions express their individuality again, much like the Sengoku period. Not in terms of war, but in terms of proudly showcasing their regional uniqueness and biodiversity. I hope we can reach a time where people boast about their homeland and its biodiversity with pride.
Morgane: You conduct lectures and fieldwork on biodiversity for both adults and children. Do you feel a difference in their attitudes towards biodiversity?
Takao Hayashi: From the feedback I receive, children approach it with curiosity, while adults often reflect on their past, thinking, “I used to like this when I was a child,” and start reconnecting with nature and life through those memories. I try to make the lectures and fieldwork about being able to see things from the “perspective of living creatures,” hoping that through experiencing various species, participants can feel the fundamental value of life and the connections between all living things. For both children and adults, when they get to know living creatures, their negative feelings like “it’s scary” or “it’s creepy” tend to diminish. They start noticing the beauty and cuteness of these creatures. One girl, for instance, was afraid of spiders, but after a biodiversity survey event, she asked me to draw a spider on her T-shirt. I did so with an oil-based marker, and she seemed to really like it. Later, I was told she wore that T-shirt again. When people of all ages, from children to those in their 80s, gather for a biodiversity survey, conversations happen across generations during species collection and display. I feel that “living creatures” have the power to bring a community together as a shared topic.
Morgane: What are your views on the connection between agriculture and biodiversity in modern society?
Takao Hayashi: To put it simply, Japan’s land is narrow and steep, so traditional (sustainable) agriculture could coexist with nature in the satoyama. It looked like this: mountains → satoyama → human settlements. It is said that 50% of Japan’s endangered species are live in rice paddies and satoyama. The reason for this is that the buffer zone between nature and humans used to be the agricultural land. In the past, because of the low-tech nature of farming, we couldn’t clear mountains or trees with heavy machinery, nor could we reinforce rivers and water channels with concrete and monopolize water for human use, like we do now. Nature is said to have no straight lines, so there was a variety of shapes of farmland, crops, and species that matched the terrain. Where crops couldn’t be planted, plants grew, providing habitats for birds, small animals, and insects. Through human intervention, plants that are prone to overgrowth, such as bamboo and reeds, were kept in check, allowing sunlight to reach the forest floor and opening up the water surface, creating spaces for birds, dragonflies, aquatic insects, and small flowers. Traditional farmers helped make these living creatures shine.
Morgane: What about the situation now?
Takao Hayashi: Now, crop varieties are dwindling, and farmland is being consolidated into large-scale operations. In the 1960s, in Europe, farmland was also industrialized, depriving creatures of their habitats and polluting water with excessive use of fertilizers. Later, the EU shifted to supporting small-scale farming as it was better for the environment.
However, the mistakes and subsequent shift that happened over 60 years ago in Europe are not widely known in Japan. That’s why I believe that enriching biodiversity through agriculture is the most effective approach. I continue the grassroots work of investigating the creatures in rice fields and encouraging people to connect with nature. If it’s not enjoyable, it won’t last, so I’ve developed a sheet for environmental diagnosis using illustrations and points, and we also have biodiversity songs as entertainment to link agriculture, nature, and consumers. By the way, the people who saw this sheet thought it was interesting and thus launched the “Biodiversity Improvement Points Certification”.
Which side has the greater biodiversity: right or left?
The correct answer is “Right”!
Left: While well-maintained rice paddies have a larger cultivated area, they result in monoculture, which reduces biodiversity.
Right: Smaller rice paddies have more ridges, which increases plant diversity. These ridges serve as hiding places and overwintering sites for frogs and aquatic insects, as well as transformation spots for insects from larvae to pupae, enhancing biodiversity conservation.
Morgane: Codo’s website is mainly visited by organizations like businesses and government agencies. What advice would you give to organizations that want to take action to protect biodiversity?
Takao Hayashi: Whether it’s nature-positive initiatives or efforts to stir people’s inner emotions and smooth out community relations, many aspects come into play. I believe that each company should focus on what they are good at, and by tackling it in a way that’s enjoyable and sustainable, they will see returns that not only meet societal norms but also inspire their core business.
On the spot, I coined a term: “Mixed Multi-perspective Culture.” Both businesses and local governments have the potential to create regional cultures. If we can leave a gift for future generations through landscapes, biodiversity, and food culture, we might be thanked a hundred years from now. Isn’t this great?
It may be difficult to find an answer immediately, but if you conduct biodiversity surveys, you may find treasures right at your feet. What was once seen as a “burden” or “weakness” in underdeveloped areas, such as their landscapes or low-tech culture, might turn out to be a region’s charm point. By shifting our thinking toward creating local circular economies, we can build wealth through trade and business. I believe this can give birth to “cool and solidly sustainable” companies and communities.
Morgane: Thank you for the advice! As we are approaching the end of this interview, do you have any “fun facts” about biodiversity that people should know?
Takao Hayashi:The three key elements of biodiversity are ecosystems, species variety, and genetic diversity. If you keep these three elements in mind, aiming for a nature-positive future, you’ll be able to enjoy observing biodiversity anywhere. Among them, exploring nearby creatures is a great way to sharpen your awareness. Try taking photos of or writing down the living creatures around your home using your smartphone—it can be surprisingly interesting. If you classify vertebrates into five groups—mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish—the first thing you’ll notice is the birds coming to your balcony or garden. Birds are easy to spot during the day, and you can often hear their presence through their calls, making them a basic subject for wildlife observation.
Next, focus on smaller creatures like snails, insects, and other arthropods. Insects are the most prosperous group on Earth, so if you start taking an interest in them, your everyday life will become much richer. Nowadays, AI tools can help you search for names, so you could take pictures of bugs that enter your house or crawl on your walls and use technology to identify them. Also, you can start noticing roadside plants as soon as you step out the door. If you commit to learning one species at a time, by the end of a month, you’ll see many more things that were previously hidden, all thanks to a growing sense of wonder!
Morgane: “To first notice the biodiversity around us”… This sounds easy to do! As a last question, do you have any new initiatives or projects that you’re looking to challenge or expand upon?
Takao Hayashi: One challenge I’d like to pursue is exporting the Japanese perspective on biodiversity! Since each country has its own regional characteristics, I feel I need to travel and broaden my own sensory horizons. Since anime and manga have gained international recognition, I’d love to host biodiversity survey events abroad.
Morgane: Overseas expansion, that sounds exciting!
Takao Hayashi: In December, I established Mielka LLC and launched the “Biodiversity Mielka Project” (a community revitalization initiative through “experiential emotional visualization” to achieve nature-positive goals). The project focuses on the idea of “mixed multi-perspective culture,” where not only scientists but also those from the humanities, arts, social sciences, economics, history, sports, music, and even cuisine can engage in biodiversity discussions. I want to broaden the overall richness of adult minds in society.
Morgane: What about initiatives targeting younger generations?
Takao Hayashi: For the next generation, I’ve been teaching environmental-related subjects at educational institutions for about 18 years. Recently, I had the opportunity to participate to a Biodiversity Collage, and it was so fun and easy to understand. I feel like it can reach a broader age group and be applied in various workplaces for environmental education. I’m excited about its potential!
Furthermore, I’d like to create an environment where young people who have received environmental education can work toward improving biodiversity (nature-positive) and create jobs out of it. My goal is to make “living creature surveys” and “biodiversity certification” become mainstream professions that shed light on various lives and cultures, making it a vital part of supporting our daily lives. I consider this my “mission work.”
Morgane: Best of luck with everything! Thank you so much for your time today!
To go further
Takao Hayashi
Mielka LLC CEO
Rice Paddy Sommelier
Takao Hayashi graduated from Musashino Art University, Faculty of Art and Design (Master’s Program). After working as a graphic designer, for a nature conservation organization, and for an agricultural NPO, became independent. He currently conducts rice field biodiversity surveys, environmental education guidance, and lectures on biodiversity across municipalities, schools, companies, agricultural organizations, and museums nationwide in Japan. In 2012, he developed the “Rice Paddy Environmental Diagnosis Checklist” which visualizes rice field biodiversity in an engaging way through visuals and quantification. This tool has been featured in multiple annual issues of the specialized magazine Gendai Nōgyō (Modern Agriculture) and has been adopted for the “Biodiversity Improvement Points Certification” which promotes environmentally friendly agriculture. Takao Hayashi has authored numerous writings and media commentaries on agriculture and biodiversity. To accelerate the social implementation of nature-positive biodiversity efforts, he has established Mielka in December 2024. His Publications include 100 Familiar Life Forms and Become a Rice Field Sommelier.
Morgane Benoist
Codo Advisory
Sustainability Consultant / Administrative Coordinator
Graduated from Aix-Marseille Universite, Morgane Benoist is a sustainability consultant with expertise in EU-Japan climate cooperation and intercultural relations. She acts as Codo Advisory’s main facilitator and trainer for education services, while also providing support to consulting projects. She is a certified trainer for Climate Fresk and Biodiversity Collage, as well as a certified facilitator for Digital Collage and 2tonnes (France). She is also a regular contributor to Codo Advisory’s monthly column “Codo’s Insights,” where she analyzes ESG policies and trends in Japan and around the world.
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- Satoyama (里山) refers to the traditional rural landscapes in Japan where human settlements coexist harmoniously with nature. It typically includes a mix of forests, rice paddies, grasslands, and streams. ↩︎