History
Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute (LBERI) was established through the reorganization and integration of the Lake Biwa Research Institute and Shiga Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science (Environmental Division). By building upon the research achievements, expertise, and human resources cultivated to date, LBERI has enhanced its functions to address emerging environmental challenges.
Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science (Environmental Division), Shiga Prefecture
| April 1977 | Shiga Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Shiga Prefectural Environmental Center were merged to form the Shiga Prefectural Institute of Public Health and Environmental Science |
| March 1986 | Deployment of the air quality measurement vehicle Aozora |
| March 1989 | Launch of the water quality research vessel Mizusumashi II |
| March 1998 | Deployment of the air quality measurement vehicle Aozora 2 |
Lake Biwa Research Institute
| April 1982 | Lake Biwa Research Institute was established |
| December 1982 | Completion of the Lake Biwa Research Institute |
| March 1993 | Launch of the research vessel Hakken |
| March 2000 | Launch of the autonomous underwater robot Tantan |
Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute
| May 1999 | Basic Concept Review Committee established |
| May 2000 | Formulation of the Basic Concept |
| June 2000 | Establishment of the Development Review Committee for the Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute (tentative name) |
| May 2001 | Formulation of the Basic Plan for the Development Project of The Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute |
| October 2003 | Commencement of construction of The Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute |
| March 2004 | Establishment of the Working Group for the Development Review of The Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute |
| April 2004 | Establishment of the Preparatory Office for the Opening of The Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute |
| March 2005 | Completion of The Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute |
| June 2005 | Opening of The Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute |
| April 2007 | Renaming of the Japanese name of the institute |
| February 2013 | Received the FY2012 Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Award for Community Development (Award for Research and Testing Institutes) |
| April 2014 | Transfer of the Research Division of the Shiga Forest Research Center to The Lake Biwa Environmental Research Institute |
| January 2015 | Concluded a comprehensive collaboration agreement with the Research Institute of Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries, Osaka Prefecture, a local incorporated administrative agency |
| January 2015 | Completion of the water quality research vessel Biwakaze |
| February 2017 | Concluded a basic agreement with the National Institute for Environmental Studies, National Research and Development Agency |
| April 2017 | Opening of the Lake Biwa Branch of the National Institute for Environmental Studies, National Research and Development Agency |