title: National Institute for Environmental Studies
text: # National Institute for Environmental Studies
  
  The National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES:国立環境研究所, Kokuritsu-Kankyō kenkyūsho) was established in 1974 as a focal point for environmental research in Japan. In 2001 it became an Independent Administrative Institution. NIES is organised into eight centers, each of which is subdivided into a further number of sections responsible for different specializations within the broader field to which they belong. The eight centers are responsible for research in eight different fields, with programs dedicated to these research areas.
  
  ## History
  
  July 1971 Environment Agency established
  
  November 1971 NIES Founding Committee established
  
  March 1974 National Institute for Environmental Studies established
  
  April 1985 Emperor Showa visits NIES
  
  July 1990 Restructuring of NIES to include global environmental research
  
  October 1990 Center for Global Environmental Research established
  
  January 2001 Environment Agency becomes Ministry of the Environment. Waste Management Division established at NIES
  
  April 2001 NIES established as an incorporated administrative agency. First five-year plan (2001–2005) commences List of Independent Administrative Institutions (Japan)
  
  