Title : INT9403 Japan's Polar Research Type : International Document NSF Org: SBE / INT Date : April 6, 1994 File : int9403 JAPAN'S POLAR RESEARCH This report summarizes Japanese polar research activities and budgets based on information obtained from the Polar Research Section of the International Division, Bureau of Science and International Affairs, Ministry of Education, Science and Culture and from the National Institute for Polar Research. I. ANTARCTIC RESEARCH History In preparation for the International Geophysical Year (IGY) (1957-1958), the Japanese Government, in 1955, initiated participation in Antarctic research and established the Headquarters for Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition within the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture (see organization chart). The first Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition established Showa Base at 69o00'S and 39o35'E on the Ongul Islands, Prince Harald Coast in 1957. Mizuho Base (70o42'S and 44o20'E, 2230m above sea level, about 270km southwest of Showa Base) and Asuka Base (71o32'S and 24o08'E, 930m above sea level, about 670km west-southwest of Showa Base) were added in 1970 and 1984, respectively. In 1973 the National Institute for Polar Research was established as an inter-university research institute, replacing the National Science Museum Polar Research Center. The current 11,600-ton research vessel "Shirase" was commissioned in 1983 at a cost of Yen 24 billion. The 35th Japanese Antarctic over-wintering party departed Tokyo aboard Shirase in November 1993. Basic Policies for Implementing Antarctic Research The last comprehensive review of Japanese Antarctic research was in 1976 when the Headquarters for Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition issued "Basic Policies for Future Plans for Antarctic Activities." Japanese research activities since then have been based on the "Basic Policies," taking into consideration annual observation results, international cooperative research trends, and advice from Antarctic Treaty Council member countries. Basic Policies: 1. Promotion of research with priority on academically meaningful research. 2. Promotion of basic research related to Antarctic resources, including environmental problems. 3. Strengthening of international cooperation on scientific research and expansion of research area. 4. Strengthening of facilitation and transportation to enable the above 3 items. Japan's Antarctic Research Activities The Ministry of Education, Science and Culture has established, in addition to routine observations, the following main Antarctic research thrusts: 1. Continued research on snow ice and geological surveys in the largely unexplored East Queen Maud Land area 8-year project from 1988 - Research on coastal area bare rocks, comprehensive monitoring/measurement of geographical features, geological surveys, plate movements of inland mountainous areas, and survey on meteorites in East Queen Maud Land area (20-50oE and 80oS). 2. Observation of upper stratosphere by polar patrol balloon 3-year project from 1990 - Long-term/vast area observation of various phenomena in the upper stratosphere using equipment mounted on polar patrol balloons. The purpose is to elucidate ozone dynamics as it relates to global-scale climate change and the relationship between ozone and aurora phenomena. 3. Deep ice sheet dome drilling observation Deep drilling (planned depth of 2,500m) on the Queen Maud Land dome (77o22'S, 39o37'E, 3,807m above sea level) in the east Antarctic inland area to elucidate from the Antarctic ice sheet changes in global climate and environment over the past 150-200,000 years. Internationally, IGBP (International Geosphere-Biosphere Program) has pointed out the importance of climate/environment reconstruction by studying ice sheet cores in polar areas. The United States, France and Japan are cooperatively promoting research on this project in Antarctica. 4. Antarctic atmospheric chemical observations 5-year plan from 1992 - Observations around Showa Base on the concentration and change of atmospheric trace elements, long-term monitoring of background level of atmospheric trace elements, evaluation of latitudinal effect by using vessel-based observations to elucidate circulation and exchange of atmospheric trace elements from ocean to atmosphere, from stratosphere to troposphere and to snow ice sphere. This study is meant to assess the role of Antarctica in global environmental change. 5. Data collection from global observation satellites 5-year plan from 1992 - Comprehensive monitoring of the atmosphere, snow ice, sea ice, and biosphere, including research on clouds from a meteorological viewpoint, atmospheric environment in polar areas, change in ice sheet and sea ice area, and marine primary production. 6. Comprehensive research on sea ice organisms The seasonal waxing and waning of the sea ice surrounding Antarctica affects exchange of energy and materials between the atmosphere and ocean, and creates a unique biosphere, thus impacting significantly on global-scale processes including the carbon dioxide cycle. Comprehensive research on sea ice organisms will elucidate their roles in the Antarctic sea ice area. To be noted is that this plan responds to IGBP objectives and is viewed as a part of GOFS (Global Ocean Flux Study). Division of Responsibilities The National Institute for Polar Research and researchers from universities conduct geological surveys, including climate change and topography/geology, research on snow and ice, marine biology, and upper stratospheric physics, including observation of aurora. The Institute provides facilitation, training of expedition members, and procurement of equipments. The Meteorological Agency, Geographical Survey Institute, and other ministries/agencies conduct routine observation on ocean, weather, currents, ionosphere, geography/topography, gravity, etc. The Defense Agency provides logistical support and transportation. Japanese FY1993 Budget for Antarctic Research 1. Research Expedition Yen 182 million Expedition of research group and related expenses 2. Observation Yen 664 million Routine observation which requires long-term data acquisition and research observation on specific themes: (1) Routine Observation Yen 232 million (2) Research Observation Yen 384 million (3) Observation data collection and packing Yen 48 million 3. Showa Base Yen 751 million Management of Showa Base, including maintenance of machines and snowmobiles 4. Marine Transporation Yen 1,877 million Transportation of expedition group and observation equipments by Antarctic Research Vessel "Shirase" 5. Training Yen 17 million Training for expedition group members 6. Headquarters Yen 42 million Plenary to be held at Headquarters for Comprehensive Promotion of Antarctic Observation ------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Budget: Yen 3,532 million Japanese FY1994 Budget Request for Antarctic Research Over the past five years, the Japanese Government budget for Antarctic research has been: Budget % JFY (Million Yen) (change from previous year) ------- ------------- --------------------------- 1989 2,928 1990 5,104 74 (2,200 million yen for purchase of one helicopter) 1991 3,053 -40 1992 3,531 16 1993 3,532 0 1994 3,836 (Request) 9 The Japanese fiscal year 1994 (April 1, 1994 - March 31, 1995) Antarctic research budget calls for: 1. Research and observation at Showa Base a. Ice sheet deep drilling b. Observation of chemical substances in the Antarctic atmosphere c. Research on snow ice and geological survey in East Queen Maud Land d. Comprehensive research on sea ice organisms. 2. Repair work on buildings at Showa Base, as they are more than 30 years old. 3. Periodical inspection of observation ship, Shirase, to secure marine transportation. 4. Expenses of hosting the 18th Antarctic Treaty Meeting to be held in 1994 in Kyoto with 250 attendees from 40 countries and 10 organizations. II. ARCTIC RESEARCH Arctic Environment Research Center The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) was established in 1990 by 8 countries with territories or territorial waters north of 66.5oN. As a member of IASC, Japan established a Sub-Committee on Arctic Research within the National Committee on Antarctic Research in the Science Council of Japan to deal with IASC issues. The Arctic Environment Research Center was established in 1990 within the National Institute of Polar Research to conduct research and observation on global-scale climate and environment in cooperation with domestic and foreign universities and research institutes. The Center conducts both its own research and cooperative research activities with domestic and foreign researchers, and coordinates on IASC activities. As the Center's own research is focused on environmental changes in the atmosphere, ocean and biological systems, the Center's research personnel were selected to promote such research. Budget for Arctic Environment Research Center % Fiscal Year Million Yen (change against previous year) ----------- ----------- ------------------------------ 1990 56 1991 84 50 1992 86 2 1993 86 0 1994 103 (Request) 20 Organization of Arctic Environment Research Center Number ------ As of JFY1993 Professor 2 Associate Professor 1 Assistant 3 Visiting professors JFY1992: one from China JFY1993: one from the U.S. Arctic Research Activities Priority research areas include the following: 1. International cooperative research on Arctic river waters. 2. Arctic Climate System Study project of the World Climate Research Program. 3. Research on paleo-climate and environmental change in Greenland and Svalbard. 4. Research on production processes for marine organisms in Bering Sea, Okhotsk Sea, and Canada's northern islands. 5. Monitoring of polar ecosystem in permanently frozen areas. 6. Research on aurora. 7. Earth sciences research. NSF/T:KShinohara - 7 -