Japan is located in a distinctive marine environment, characterised by the presence of trenches that extend to depths of several thousand metres or more. In terms of the size of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Japan ranks sixth in the world. Exploration and observation of a wide area of the ocean, including such deep-sea areas, is essential for scientific research on the understanding and conservation of the marine environment, earthquakes and disaster prevention, life and earth sciences, and geology. Heretofore, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)-operated underwater vehicles and research vessel fleets have spearheaded endeavours in deep-sea exploration and oceanographic observation. However, it is anticipated that, in the future, there will be a requirement for more advanced and highly efficient exploration and observation capabilities.
The Research Institute for Marine Technology and Engineering (RIMTE) is dedicated to the advancement of fundamental engineering research and the development of elemental technologies, related to the domains of high-precision, unmanned, labour-saving, efficient, and miniaturization. The findings of these studies have precipitated research and development underpinned by system engineering, with the objective of establishing new deep-sea exploration and oceanographic observation systems, which are intended to contribute to scientific research, as well as to MDA and economic security.