International Activities Update：2024.07.05
Global challenges such as climate change, ocean acidification, and the loss of marine ecosystems cannot be addressed by a single country. Research and development related to the oceans and the Earth are vast and complex, and requires international cooperation and collaboration.
As a national research and development agency at the forefront of Japan's marine science and technology, JAMSTEC collaborates with research institutions, universities, and industries at a domestic and international level to help solve global issues. JAMSTEC aims to build a sustainable future by disseminating scientific knowledge about the oceans, Earth, and life, and information of the global environment, which are obtained through our research activities.
Collaboration with overseas research institutions
We have memorandums of cooperation with 22 overseas research institutions to promote global cooperation and collaboration.
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The President of the Republic of Palau visiting JAMSTECThe Minister of Higher Education and Research of the French Republic visiting JAMSTEC
NOAA Administrator visiting JAMSTEC Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Australia to Japan visits JAMSTEC
Contributing to international cooperation through multilateral intergovernmental frameworks
IOC: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
The IOC was established in 1960 to promote scientific research to improve knowledge of the marine environment and resources through cooperation among member states. The IOC is the only United Nations agency dedicated to promoting international cooperation in scientific research and activities related to the oceans, including ocean observation and research; collection, management, and exchange of oceanographic data; establishment of tsunami early warning systems; education and training; and regional cooperation.
JAMSTEC participates in international ocean observation and research programs and related projects sponsored by the IOC. In addition, JAMSTEC researchers lead the promotion of regional ocean science and technology and international cooperation as Chair of the IOC Western Pacific Sub-Commission (WESTPAC), and JAMSTEC staff member is seconded to the IOC Secretariat in Paris to support IOC activities.
In Japan, JAMSTEC serves as the secretariat to support the work of working groups of experts, which compile opinions on various issues related to the IOC in order to cooperate in promoting IOC activities. Support for the work working groups.
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IPCC：The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change※1
Researchers recommended by JAMSTEC contribute to producing IPCC’assessment reports.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) was established in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to provide comprehensive assessments of anthropogenic climate change, its impacts, and adaptation and mitigation measures from scientific and socio-economic perspectives.
UNFCCC：United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change※2
We actively disseminate our research findings through the international framework of the UNFCCC to help address the global challenges posed by climate change.
The Convention was adopted in May 1992, and the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has been held annually since 1995 with the aim of stabilizing the concentration of greenhouse gasses (carbon dioxide, methane, etc.) in the atmosphere.
GEO：Group on Earth Observations
Through in-situ observations of oceans, climate, biodiversity, earthquakes, etc., and the publication of observational data and scientific information, we are contributing to the establishment of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)※3 promoted by GEO.
GEOSS is a Global Earth Observation System of Systems, sponsored by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), in which more than 100 countries participate. GEOSS is an international framework that aims to integrate global Earth observation data and use it for policy-making to address global issues such as climate change.
G7 FSOI：G7 Future of the Seas and Oceans Initiative※4
JAMSTEC experts participates in the Working Group of the Future of Oceans Initiative under the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology, leading discussions on issues such as Arctic research, the creation of a digital twin of the ocean, and the maintenance and improvement of global ocean observations that should be focused on in the future.
This working group was established under the auspices of the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Science and Technology to discuss various issues related to marine science.
The Ocean Decade※5
JAMSTEC actively participates in the implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2017, and contributes to the advancing ocean science and achieving sustainable ocean management. JAMSTEC contributes to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular Goal 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts and Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
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Japan and France Collaborate to Deploy Next-Generation Underwater Observation System in the South Pacific"The Ocean Decade" was proposed by UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), and a declaration was adopted at the 72th UN General Assembly in 2017 designating the period 2021-2030 as the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Arctic Council (AC)※6
Japan participates in the Arctic Council (AC) as an observer, and JAMSTEC contributes to its activities by providing scientific knowledge on the current status of environmental changes in the Arctic region and its future projections.
The Arctic Council (AC) was established as a high-level intergovernmental consultative body based on the Ottawa Declaration of September 19, 1996, to promote cooperation, harmony, and exchange among Arctic nations on common Arctic issues, such as sustainable development and environmental protection, with the participation of indigenous communities and others. Various meetings, including ministerial meetings, deputy ministerial meetings, high-level Arctic working level meetings, and sectoral working groups are held as required.
Support for other international projects and initiatives
International Ocean Discovery Program (IODP)※7
JAMSTEC are leading the development of international ocean drilling science by operating the Deep-sea Scientific Drilling Vessel Chikyu. In cooperation and collaboration with Kochi University, we store, manage, and provide core samples. Additionally, through the Japan Earth Drilling Science Consortium (J-DESC), we are supporting domestic researchers to participate in IODP/ICDP (International Ocean Drilling Program), thereby leading the research community.
IODP is a multilateral international cooperation project launched in October 2013 under the leadership of Japan, the United States, and Europe. The project aims to elucidate global environmental changes, the internal structure of the Earth, and the biosphere within the Earth's crust by drilling the deep seafloor using the Japanese deep-sea scientific drilling vessel Chikyu (approximately 57,000 tons, owned and operated by JAMSTEC), the JOIDES Resolution provided by the U.S., and a Mission Specific Platform (MSP) provided by Europe. The project is expected to be completed by the end of September 2024.
Argo project
The Argo Project is an international scientific effort to establish a system for monitoring and understanding the state of the world's oceans in real time. The project is operated in cooperation with international organizations such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), as well as other relevant organizations in participating countries. In Japan, the project is promoted through cooperation among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (implementing agency: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology), the Fisheries Agency, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the Japan Meteorological Agency, and the Japan Coast Guard.
The Global Ocean Ship-Based Hydrographic Investigations Program (GO-SHIP)
GO-SHIP is an international shipboard observing program, and the successor to the World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WOCE) of the 1990s. In the program, high-precision observations are repeated along defined lines approximately every 10 years. The goal of the program is to continuously conduct observe long-term changes on a decadal scale. Japanese participating organizations include the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (implementing agency: Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology).
One Ocean Network for Deep Observation
JAMSTEC participates in the international deep-sea observation project "One Ocean Network for Deep Observation (OneDeepOcean)" led by the French National Institute for Ocean Development (IFREMER). From May 4th to 8th, the IFREMER research vessel Antea conducted the KASEAOPE-1 research cruise in the Coral Sea off the coast of New Caledonia. During this expedition, JAMSTEC monitored seasonal changes and studied the fauna using observational equipment such as the Edokko-1 seafloor observation system and the JAMSTEC-developed environmental DNA sampler. The valuable observational data obtained from these underwater observation systems will be made available to the local community in New Caledonia. This project is an international cooperation under the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030).
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In South Pacific, French and Japanese scientists develop a new generation of underwater observatories - IfremerTowards a sustainable ocean
Today's oceans face a number of global challenges, including rising sea temperatures and sea levels due to climate change, ocean acidification, marine debris, and loss of biodiversity. Under the theme "The Science We Need for the Oceans We Want," the United Nations Decade of Marine Science is promoting efforts to advance marine science not only for scientists but also with the participation of various stakeholders working together to create and protect the oceans we desire. JAMSTEC is actively participating in and leading various programs and projects under this campaign, contributing to the building of a sustainable ocean for the future.