Jane Goodall Institute Japan - ジェーン・グドール インスティテュート・ジャパン

Hello, I’m Mina Oba, Executive Director of the Jane Goodall Institute Japan.

When I was a young girl, I saw a National Geographic film featuring Dr. Jane Goodall and I was fascinated by how she climbs the trees and observing wildlife in the forest. Ever since, I idolised her and she has been my role model.

When I stand in nature, or when I am facing a difficult decision in life, I often ask myself, “What would Jane do?” Lately, The Book of Hope is like a lucky charm for me, letting me open it randomly to find the words I need.

Life is unpredictable—but often, that’s where the magic begins. During the tough days of the pandemic, I longed to hear her voice. As a magazine editor at the time, I sent her a request to speak at our online event. That encounter eventually led me to work alongside her today.

Now 91, Dr. Jane’s eyes have seen the devastation of nature—but they also reflect its incredible resilience, its power to recover.

In 1985, after witnessing once lush forests vanish and wild habitats be destroyed, Dr. Jane chose to travel the globe using her voice to speak out for animals who can’t speak for themselves.

At the same time, she sees hope. New shoots sprouting on barren mountains, helping hands reaching out to save species, children and communities rising to protect the future and more.

Nature rises again and again. And people can rise with it. Dr. Jane reminds us of this—and tells us that each and every one of us is hope. She shares this message quietly, yet with unwavering strength.

Back in 1960, driven by a passion to understand animals more deeply, Jane met Dr. Louis Leakey and began her field research on chimpanzees in the forests of Africa.

She made a groundbreaking discovery that wild chimpanzees make and use tools. This moment shattered the long-held belief that only humans used tools. It opened a new window into the minds of animals and invited us to reconsider what it means to coexist with the natural world.

For over 60 years since, Dr. Jane has dedicated more than 300 days a year to traveling and speaking across the globe, reminding us: “Every individual matters, every individual has a role to play, every individual makes a difference, and we can choose what kind of difference we’d like to make.”

Global warming, biodiversity loss, widening inequality, ongoing war and violence……Today’s youth around the world are overwhelmed by the scale of these issues. Many feel powerless, unsure of how to respond.

In 2024, the Nippon Foundation conducted a survey of 1,000 young people (ages 17-19) in six countries: Japan, the U.S., the U.K., China, South Korea, and India. Among them, Japan was the only country where fewer than half believed that their actions could make a difference— and only 15% of Japanese respondents said they have hope toward the future of their country.

To those who feel this way—We want to share a story with you.

In 1991, Dr. Jane launched Roots & Shoots, a youth action program encouraging young people to think, learn, and act for people, animals, and the environment. Today, it spans over 70 countries and continues as a global movement.

Believing that Japanese youth need Roots & Shoots too, we relaunched the Japan chapter in winter 2023. Through our “4 Step Formula” guide — Get Inspire, Explore, Take Action, Celebrate — we’ve been steadily expanding practical, inquiry-based learning for youth and educators across Japan.

Together with everyone who still believes in the future, we hope to spread this message:
“Together we can, together we will, together we must change the world”. Please help us share and spread Dr. Jane’s words and wisdom—and with future generations.

With hope and gratitude,
Mina Oba
Executive Director, Jane Goodall Institute Japan