Professor Hayashi was born in Hiroshima in 1946 and grew up in Toyama. After graduating from the Faculty of Agriculture, the University of Tokyo, he became a visiting researcher at Harvard University and a visiting associate professor at Cornell University. He became a professor at the University of Tokyo in 1990. In the past, he has served as Temporary Adviser, World Health Organization (1986); President, Japanese Society of Human and Animal Relations (1995-2002); President, Japanese Association of Veterinary Anatomists (1996-2002); Vice President, World Association of Veterinary Anatomists (1998-2004); President, Dean’s Meeting of Agricultural Faculties in Japan (2000-2002); and President, Asian Association of Veterinary Schools (2002-2004). He is currently serving as Vice President, Japanese Society of Portly Resource Science (2002-present); President, Japanese Agricultural Foundation (2005-present); and Vice Director, Yamashina Institute of Ornithology (2006-present). He is also a member of International Whaling Commission since 1980.