February 22, 2008
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
The Research Vessel KAIYO, operated by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC; Mr. Yasuhiro Kato, President), had departed from private quay of Yokosuka Headquarter and commenced the search operation right after its arrival at the research area (North Latitude 34.34, East Longitude 139.47) at 21:20 on February 22, 2008. This operation was commissioned by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) at the request of the Ministry of Defense.