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John Gathright was born in 1962 in the USA and raised in Victoria, BC, Canada by a family of Scottish descent and tradition, and first came to Japan in 1985 for a brief stay that turned into a life and love for Japan and her people.
A graduate of Nanzan University, he later earned his doctorate from Nagoya University, and was the first to publish scientific papers on the benefits of purpose-specific tree climbing programs.
Gathright has pioneered organized Tree Climbing in Japan and established the first official school for Tree Climbing (and certification) in Japan; and was also a key figure in the establishment of the following official arborist organizations in Japan:
* Japan Arborist Association; and
* Arborist Training Institute of Japan.
He also established a "Treehab" program to allow people of all abilities to climb the world's largest trees. Gathright is an author of nine books, and works as a media commentator while teaching at Chubu University. He resides in the mountains of Seto, Japan with wife and two sons. Gathright is affectionately known as "John-san" (Mr. John) in Japan.
John obtained his undergraduate degree in International Business Management, graduating with honours, at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan. His academic pursuits would later bring him to Nagoya University where Gathright obtained his Doctorate of Agriculture at the Graduate School of Biocultural Sciences.
After obtaining his Ph.D., Dr. Gathright would join the faculty of Chubu University as a professor, and where he still lectures and conducts research.
John's career as an educator and curriculum advisor began many years earlier as an author writing books and columns that were widely adapted and used in Japanese national textbooks and university entrance exams.
At Chubu University, Gathright leads a special tree-climbing program for university students who are preparing for careers in special-needs education, as well as elementary and junior high school teachers.
Presently, Gathright is also leading a team of young researchers who are using tree climbing techniques to conduct canopy research. Examples include Musasabi (Japanese Giant Flying Squirrels) and Tardigrades.
Outside of the lecture hall, John conducts ongoing research, and frequently represents Chubu University at speaking engagements, as well as media and promotional events.
