The Deep-Sea Scientific Drilling Vessel Chikyu, operated by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), will embark on Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP)* Expedition 343 Japan Trench Fast Drilling Project (JFAST). JAMSTEC will call for the proposals for media reporting of JFAST from who wish to gather materials onboard Chikyu, in order to disseminate the significance and activities of scientific drilling conducted by Chikyu.

* The Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) is an international marine research drilling program dedicated to advancing scientific understanding of Earth by monitoring, sampling, and instrumenting subseafloor environments. Through multiple platforms, preeminent scientists explore IODP principal themes: the deep biosphere, environmental change, and solid Earth cycles. IODP has operated since October 2003, funded jointly by the Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology and the U.S. National Science Foundation. Additional support is provided by the 17-member European Consortium of Ocean Research Drilling, the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Australia, India, and New Zealand.

From Wednesday, April 25 to Friday, April 27, 2012 during the Expedition 343 Japan Trench Fast Drilling Project (JFAST)

From Friday, March 16 (9:00a.m.) to Monday, March 26, 2012 (5:00p.m.)

Please submit the following documents to the address below:

(1)

One copy of project proposal with company representative signature

(2)

Two copies of company outline

(3)

One copy of application for the project (PDF file)

*Project proposal is format free.
*Application should be sent by FAX, E-mail, or mail. We would like you to describe the contents on the E-mail format when you send by E-mail.

[Address and contacts]
Mail: Mr. Hasebe
   Press Office, Planning Department,
   Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)
   2-15, Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa 237-0061, Japan

Phone: +81-46-867-9196
Fax: +81-46-867-9195
E-mail: press@jamstec.go.jp

(1)

To be appropriately organized in order to report the project

(2)

To have a proven report experience.

(3)

To be sure to release the report by the end of July 2012.

(4)

To conclude an agreement with JAMSTEC on handling images.

(5)

To observe the rules of JAMSTEC when you are onboard the vessel.

A maximum of three will be acceptable but this may change depending on the successful proposal(s).

A maximum of three people.

The selection committee in JAMSTEC will screen the project proposals.
The selection may be conducted only by application documents if we receive a large number of applications.

The project should meet the following criteria:

(1)

Project contents have scientific basis.

(2)

Project is promising to promote understanding of earth science and awareness of disaster prevention.

(3)

Project will promote and contribute to accurate understanding of significance and activity of scientific drilling by the Deep-Sea Scientific Drilling Vessel Chikyu.

Please note that the title and the company of accepted project will be announced on the website.

For embarkation and disembarkation, we will utilize the helicopter for exchanging the crew of the vessel. The helicopter will depart and land at Sendai Airport. It would take approximately one and a half hours each way. It does not cost for boarding a helicopter.

(1)

Shooting equipment, supplies, conveyance expenses, labor costs, travel expense to Sendai Airport, etc. are to be borne by the applicants.

(2)

Meals fee onboard, accommodation fee, etc. (1,848yen per day expected) should be paid in cash at disembarkation.