Funabashi studied biology and complexity science at the University of Tokyo, then obtained his PhD from CREA, Ecole Polytechnique, France. He is a licensed veterinarian. Through a childhood interest in collecting insects and animals, he discovered from experience the fundamental difference between the behaviors of living organisms in cultivated versus wild environments. After pursuing several academic disciplines, he finally found his calling in applying life sciences to natural environments. Funabashi’s goal is to establish a new approach to food production he calls "Synecoculture™," symbiotic agricultural methods based on biodiversity, since agriculture is an area where sustainability, environmental and human health issues overlap. He hopes to develop this into a new paradigm capable of restoring both human societies and ecosystems.