I trained in biochemistry at the Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Tokyo (Ph.D, 1982), and worked as a Research Scientist at the National Institute for Environmental Studies (since 1982). I served as a Research Associate in the Toxicology Program, University of Maryland (1988–1989), and as Director of the Council of Science and Technology Policy (2006–2008). My research interests include mechanism-based biological monitoring of environment chemicals and applying these monitoring systems to environmental risk assessment. My current research concerns the regulation mechanisms of gene expression by dioxins, in vivo mutagenesis caused by environmental chemicals (e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their oxidized forms) and development of in vivo bioassays, and health risk assessment of environmental chemicals. As a member of the Committee on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances of the Central Environment Council and the Expert Committee on Chemical Substances/Contaminants of the Food Safety Committee, I am also involved in the regulation of chemicals in Japan.