JAMSTEC set "Leading project" aside from usual research sections, to focus on research development tasks which the government takes its initiative, e.g., development of real-time monitoring system for massive ocean-trench earthquake, active contribution to the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report, and research for submarine resources and recyclable energies with upgrading of exploration technologies.

JAMSTEC has a primary role to the contract researches requested by MEXT such as "Dense Oceanfloor Network system for Earthquakes and Tsunamis", "Research concerning Interaction between the Tokai, Tonankai and Nankai Earthquakes".
JAMSTEC explores earthquake related research intensively to aim for the contribution to the development of the state-of-the-art ocean floor observation technology, advancement of simulation models of earthquake recurrences, disaster reduction and mitigation.
JAMSTEC develops real-time dense Oceanfloor network system around the area of Kumano-nada off Kii peninsula.

• Dense Oceanfloor Network System for Earthquakes and Tsunamis (DONET)

JAMSTEC has launched a new leading project, "Submarine Resources Research Project" on 1st April 2011, to achieve intensive researches and developments corresponding to high social needs for resource exploration. This project carry out researches for the genesis of submarine hydrothermal deposit and Co-rich Mn crust which are highly expected for huge available ore resources, and researches for generative system of methane expected as clean energy source. Additionally, MARITEC (Marine Technology and Engineering Center) in JAMSTEC, which has long been developed AUVs such as "URASHIMA", will advance the developments of AUV/ROVs applied for submarine resource exploration.

• Submarine Resources Research Project

• SPIRE (Strategic Programs for Innovative Research)
  Projection of Planet Earth Variations for Mitigating Natural Disasters (Field 3)