Mika Sasaki

Growing up in Shiga Prefecture, Mika developed an early interest in urban design and the environment through witnessing first-hand the close relationship between human activity and nature.

She studied architecture and landscape design at the University of Shiga Prefecture, later earning master’s degree in urban design and built environment at the Institute of Science Tokyo (formerly Tokyo Institute of Technology), where her research examined public spaces and communities through a socio-ecological lens. While studying abroad in Sweden, she conducted research on citizen science communities and volunteered in migratory bird monitoring –an experience that solidified her commitment to safeguarding climate-vulnerable regions, ecosystems and the cherished landscapes and lifestyles of local communities.

Driven by a desire to foster dialogue that enables transformative change, she joined Climate Integrate in 2025. Her current research focuses on government subsidies and budgets for decarbonizing housing and buildings. She actively explores approaches that bridge regional initiatives and research with communication, seeking ways to make sustainability concepts resonate more widely with stakeholders. She is also an avid admirer of the black-faced spoonbill.