Professor Taro Yamauchi’s laboratory (SmileLab) research activities were featured in the evening edition and digital version of The Asahi Shimbun.
Globally, access to hygienic sanitation facilities remains a major challenge. In many regions, practices such as open defecation and the use of “flying toilets” are still common, and even school sanitation facilities may be inadequate or nonfunctional. These poor sanitary conditions have serious consequences not only for public health but also for educational opportunities.
Professor Yamauchi’s laboratory members have conducted extensive sanitation research in Southeast Asia and Africa. Drawing on fieldwork experience in these regions, they emphasize the importance of sanitation systems that are appropriate for local lifestyles and social contexts. Their work has focused on developing sustainable solutions, including composting toilets that recycle human waste as a valuable resource.
In addition, they have promoted community-led sanitation initiatives that empower local residents to improve their own sanitary environments. In the article, Professor Yamauchi discusses Japan’s internationally recognized toilet technologies and shares insights from their extensive research and sanitation support activities in Indigenous communities.
Article published in Asahi Shimbun Digital:
朝日新聞 （いま聞く）山内太郎さん 北海道大学総合博物館長 トイレ先進国日本、できる支援は（2026年5月26日）」
Link：https://www.asahi.com/articles/DA3S16470797.html ]