Soil research may appear to be a basic and slowly progressing area of science. However, it
will play a critical role in allowing human beings to survive and prosper. Future soil research
should follow each path as far as possible for the good of humankind and the planet.
This book clearly reveals how Japanese pedologists have understood the soils of Japan and,
I strongly believe, will provide readers with directions of future soil research.
Kochi, Japan
Katsutoshi Sakurai
May 2019
President of the Japanese Society of Pedology
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Foreword by Katsutoshi Sakurai