Tomonobu Imamichi, a decorated philosopher and a professor emeritus of the University of Tokyo who proposed a new framework of ethics, died of colon cancer at a Tokyo hospital Saturday, people close to him said. He was 89.

The Tokyo native studied philosophy at the university and taught at universities in Europe as well as at Kyushu University and his alma mater.

He proposed what he called "eco-ethica" from the 1970s, a new framework for exploring challenges for human beings faced with expanded options for making ethical choices in their actions as a result of advances in science and technology.

Besides works in his specialty of philosophy, he also published "Dante 'Shinkyoku' Kogi," a book on a series of lectures he gave on Dante Alighieri's "Divine Comedy." He was given the Marco Polo award on outstanding books on Italy given by an Italian foreign ministry affiliate for the work.

He was also awarded a Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1986 and the Third Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, by the government.