Yutaka Takahasi

was a Japanese engineer notable for his work on river basin management and reduction of water-related disasters.

Takahasi received the 2015 Japan Prize "for the contribution to development of innovative concept on river basin management and reduction of water-related disasters."

His work showed that many previous 'river improvements' resulted in increase in flood discharges, with his recommendations changing Japanese river management policies from the 1980s onward. Provided by Wikipedia