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Antarctic Research What Is Japan Monitoring in Antarctica? State of Conservation in Antarctica

Antarctic Research What Is Japan Monitoring in Antarctica? State of Conservation in Antarctica

Antarctic Research What is Japan monitoring in ? State of Conservation in Antarctica

Antarctic observations have been Specially Protected Areas, and entry To understand Antarctica is conducted under the fundamental without permission is prohibited. policy to protect the precious The Treaty also prohibits the natural environment. Based on the introduction of non-native plants Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on and animals to Antarctica, so the Environmental Protection to the dog sleds once necessary for Antarctic Treaty, various conducting observations can no to decipher the Earth's future. environmental measures have been longer be used. Extreme caution is taken around the globe and exercised to protect Antarctica's restrictions have been placed on natural environment. Not only is it human activity in Antarctica. illegal to transport plants, animals Regions of the continent that are and minerals out of Antarctica, extremely environmentally valuable there are also restrictions on animal are designated as Antarctic approach distances.

Permanent Research Stations and Japan's Research Stations in Antarctica (as of 2009) Maitri Station (India) Neumayer Station () () () SANAE IV Station Syowa Station () () The Future of Antarctica is the Future of Bernardo O'Higgins Station () Asuka Station (Argentina) Humankind.

Marambio Base (Argentina) Halley Station Antarctica. Nearly two centuries have passed Captain Arturo Prat Base (Chile) (UK) Mizuho Station since humans first set foot on this icy continent. (USA) In the past, Antarctica was an explorer's dream, a Vernadsky Research San Martín Base (Argentina) Base (Ukraine) Belgrano II (Argentina) () stage where nations put their pride at stake, and at times, the subject of territorial disputes. Now, Dome Fuji Station came together to sign the Antarctic Treaty, an Rothera Research with the help of humankind, researchers are Station (UK) agreement that deemed Antarctica as a common exploring the continent's natural phenomena to heritage of humankind, deferred all territorial Mizuho Station Zhongshan Station (China) both learn about the Earth's past and attempt to Progress II (Russia) claims on the continent and banned military forecast its future. Because of almost no human (Australia) operations there. Based on this, a system activity, Antarctica is a rare place where the Permanent Stations allowing scientists to freely conduct observations 2 on King George Island Earth's environment can be accurately and research at any time was created. Since 3 Jubany Base (Argentina) monitored. The countries of the world must Comandante Ferraz Station (Russia) signing the Antarctic Treaty as one of the Base (Brazil) Amundsen–Scott South Pole Station (USA) cooperate with each other to conduct Professor Julio original signatories, Japan has played a major Escudero Base (Chile) observations and research and monitor the Station (Russia) role in promoting scientific research, Presidente Eduardo global environment based on the results of these Frei Base (Chile) international cooperation and environmental Estación Marítima Antártica (Chile) efforts. To do this, Antarctica has to be preserved Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin conservation in Antarctica. Airfield (Chile) as a common heritage of humankind that belongs Great Wall Station (China) to no one. As of 2010, 28 countries maintain research (Korea) Station (Poland) stations on Antarctica, and it is a commonplace ( / ) (Russia) for scientists to visit each other bases freely and (Uruguay) Antarctica: The Borderless Continent. conduct in joint research. The environmental McMurdo Station (USA) (Australia) In 1957 and 1958, 66 countries joined forced to data observed in Antarctica does not only affect () launch the International Geophysical Year (IGY) certain countries, it contributes to all of the project. Japan's participation marked the countries and all of the people on the Earth. beginning of its Antarctic observations. Several Antarctica may be a faraway frozen continent, The continent of Antarctica is about 37 times the size of Japan. of these countries reaffirmed the importance of but the research activity there is closely linked to Dumont d'Urville Station (France) Antarctica with this international campaign and our daily lives in Japan. Jezek,K.,and RAMP Product Team.2002.RAMP AMM-1 SAR Image Mosaic of Antarctica. Fairbanks,AK: Alaska Facility, in association with the National Snow and Ice Data Center,Boulder,CO.Digital media.

Data on Antarctica Antarctic Treaty and Environmental Protocol Area: About 13.88 million km2 Avg. ice thickness: 1,860m Applied to all of the land and ice effect in 1961. It comprised 14 sovereignty claims (37 times the size of Japan) Max. ice thickness: 4,776m shelves south of 60° S latitude, the articles, including the following Article 5: Prohibition of nuclear Avg. altitude: 2,010m Antarctic Treaty was initially four: explosions and disposal of Ice volume: About 25.4 million km2 ratified in 1959 by 12 signatories Article 1: Limit of usage to radioactive wastes Highest point: 4,892m (90% of Earth's ice) — Argentina, Australia, , peaceful purposes (military The Treaty reached its initial Avg. temp.: -10.5°C : 50mm/year at South Pole Chile, France, Japan, New usage prohibited) 30-year expiration date in 1991, Zealand, Norway, South Africa, Article 2: Freedom of scientific but no country has demanded it (Syowa Sta./annual avg.) (same as a desert) the (now Russia), investigations and promotion be revised or abolished. As of Lowest temp.: 89.2°C Distance the and the of international cooperation 2010, the number of member (at Russia's ) from Japan: About 14,000km United States — before going into Article 4: Suspension of territorial states stands at 48. The flags of the original signatories of the Antarctic Treaty are a symbol Regular international meetings are held of peace on the continent (at South Pole). in accordance with the Treaty. Diverse Natural Environment in Antarctica Antarctica holds many clues The icy continent's natural since 1957. environment is rich with , a submarine diversity. One case in point are its volcano, is a breeding ground for volcanoes. Two of the most penguins. The island is a well-known volcanoes are Mt. horseshoe-shaped caldera that to understand how the Earth Erebus (3,794m) and Deception wraps around a bay which is also Island. The United States' home to hot springs. Deception McMurdo Station and New Island last erupted in 1970, and Zealand's Scott Base are located at today only plumes of volcanic has evolved since its born Volcanic smoke from Mt. Erebus the foot of Mt. Erebus, and they smoke can be seen on occasion. It have been observing the volcano is also a famous tourist attraction.

Evidence of the Ancient Continent of Gravity Anomalies Around Syowa Station 38° 40° 42° 44° Gondwana 36° 46° Approximately 200 million years ago, Antarctica was part of Gondwana, a supercontinent that -65° -65° incorporated present-day Africa, South America,

Australia, India and other land fragments. -66°° -66- ° Antarctic Gondwana began to break up about 180 million Ocean years ago. At that time, Antarctica was warm, Coastline 7° forest-covered land near the Equator where -67° -67°-6 dinosaurs roamed. There are massive coal-bearing strata in the Transantarctic -6868° -68°-68 Mountains which are proof of the existence of 4 large forest at one time. Syowa Station -69°69° -69° 5

Secrets of Gondwana under the Ice and -70° -70° the Ocean The force of attraction and rotation create a centrifugal force that acts on the Earth. How did the supercontinent of Gondwana form -71° -71° Gravity is a combination of these two forces, and and break apart? The answers to these questions scientists can understand the Earth's inner structures by lie deep under Antarctica's thick ice. Since Antarctica measuring gravity anomalies, -72° -72° scientists cannot directly explore the bedrock Yamato the difference between gravity Mountains that is theoretically calculated under the ice, they explore the internal structures and that which is actually measured. The red and blue of the Antarctic continent and the Antarctic -73° -73° sections on the map correspond to topographically Ocean by beaming radio waves from aircraft and high and low areas. Since 50 researchers cannot extract generating artificial earthquakes to analyze data directly from the ice -74° -74° under Antarctica, they gravity anomalies. measure gravity anomalies in an effort to gain insight into 38° 40° 42° 44° Antarctica still holds many clues to understand 36° 46° how continental plates shifted and the ice sheets fluctuated how the Earth has evolved. in the past.

Sør Rondane Mountains

Syowa Station Geological Diversity in Antarctica Rubies and Sapphires from Antarctica Napier Complex Africa Western in Antarctica is truly Earth's crust initial formed. The Rayner Complex If Antarctica was connected to are renowned for the gem Syowa Station and the Mt. Riiser-Larsen North diverse, ranging from 3.8 billion Rayner Complex, which encircles surrounding areas the other continents at one time, minerals they produce, and in America India year Archean terrain to currently the Napier Complex, and the Syowa Station then there is nothing fact, rubies and sapphires have Princess Elizabeth Station Antarctica active volcanoes. The oldest rocks Lützow-Holm Complex, which (Belgium) unreasonable for scientists to been found near Syowa Station Asuka Station Lützow-Holm Complex South occur in the Napier Complex, includes the area around Syowa Mawson Station (Australia) find similar rocks and minerals as well. In fact, the stones from America Australia located about 600km east of Station, both contain rocks from different continents. The each of the regions are Rayner Complex Syowa Station. Containing rocks formed between 500 million years Yamato-Belgica Complex illustration on the right is a extremely similar. Traces of 500km formed about 3.8 billion years and one billion years ago. There Sør Rondane Mountains reconstruction of Gondwana. tectonic movements from ago, the Complex provides two complexes are still young About 200 million years ago, hundreds of millions of years Rubies (top) and sapphires (bottom) Exposed rocks Reconstruction of Gondwana researchers with an invaluable when compared to the Napier Geological distribution near areas where Japan are marked in red. Syowa Station would have been ago can still be found in the found near Syowa Station opportunity to explore how the Complex. conducts observations. right next to southern India and geological formations of (200 Ma) Sri Lanka. These two countries Antarctica. History of the

Due to sediments carried by scenarios suggested, which Antarctic observations help us , the continental shelf explain how the Antarctic ice sheet around Antarctica contains a has been formed. In the first one, record of how the Antarctic ice the ice sheet was formed on the sheet grew and shrank in size over Antarctic continent during its understand how the Earth's the years. The Antarctic ice sheet travel toward the south after its first reached the size of the entire break-up from Gondwana which continent in the Cenozoic era occupied over lower latitudes. The about 34 million years ago. Then, other scenario suggestes that the with having passed through ice sheet was formed due to environment has changed. Ice sheet in the Sør Rondane Mountains several growing and shrinking cooling by a decrease in phases, the present Antarctic ice concentration of the greenhouse sheet appeared approximately 14 gas CO2. million years ago. There are two

The of the Ozone Hole and the Exploring Mysteries Locked in Ice unprecedented rates over the past 200 to 300 Regulation of CFCs years. In 1995, Japan expanded its Antarctic research Through its Antarctic observations, Japan has area with the opening of Dome Fuji Station In 2007, Japan successfully drilled the full 3,035m played a key role in understanding of global which is located on a summit of the Antarctic ice from the surface of the ice sheet to the bedrock. environmental changes, including the discovery of sheet of the elevation of 3,810 m with the ice Expectations are high that new facts on the the ozone hole in 1982. This discovery attracted the thickness more than 3000 m on the continental global environment will be revealed. attention of the world, and led to the banning of bedrock. certain ozone-depleting chlorofluorocarbons The purpose of the activities at Dome Fuji Station (CFCs). In the stratosphere, the ozone layer plays an is for the exploration of changes in the global important role by absorbing most of the 's environment and climate from the ancient past rays. The ultraviolet rays hitting until today. We bore into the ice sheet and take Antarctica have the potential to damage the natural samples called ice cores with 10cm in diameter. 6 environment and harm human health. At a summit such as where Dome Fuji Station is 7 Japan was the first country in the world to detect the located, the ice sheet does not flow horizontally. ozone hole because it had accumulated a wealth of The falling snow has been accumulated together data on ozone having monitored it continuously with atmospheric minor constituents and since 1961. More recently, Japan has been monitoring itself on the previous snowfall one many atmospheric minor constituents that affect the after another for a long time such as tens of Earth's climate, and its thousands of years. Consequently, a series of the activities include inter- ice cores derived at Dome Fuji Station is like a nationally collaborated time capsule that has carefully preserved observations in Antarctica information on the Earth's past. By analyzing the to predict the future of the ice as well as the air and aerosol particles trapped ozone layer and launching in the ice, we are starting to reveal a history of The reason why the ozone hole appears massive balloons to collect over the Antarctic region is because polar the environmental changes during alternating air samples. stratospheric (PSCs) — a specific 100,000 year glacial and interglacial cycles. We type of clouds in which reactions conducive The tropospheric and stratospheric atmosphere over Syowa station has been monitored to occur in spring— are have also confirmed that CO2 has increased at drilling at Dome Fuji Station where the average annual temperature is -54.4°C. for long time by using sondes balloon-borne meteorological instruments. generated during the extreme cold of winter.

InterglacialGlacial Interglacial Glacial Interglacial Glacial Interglacial (ppmv) Increase in CO2 300 The Expanded Ozone Hole Using Ice Cores to Understand Glacial and Interglacial Cycles concentration since Change in CO the Industrial 2 Revolution 260 concentration The ozone hole appears over remains very large. The image The graph on the right hand side concentration of atmospheric 220 Antarctica in the Spring on the right is compares the show the changes in temperature CO2 represented by the red line. (September) and disappears in ozone layer of September 1979 and CO2 concentrations over the One can see how changes in CO2 180 the Summer (December). While with that of September 2006. past 340,000 years determined levels have coincided with (°C) the size of the hole differs from There was no ozone hole in 1979, from the analysis of air trapped temperature changes over the 4 year to year, one of the biggest but by 2006, the hole (the gray in ice cores. This shows how the past 340,000 years, but concent- Deviation from current 0 loss of ozone was recorded in portion of the image) had grown Earth's climate has fluctuated rations since the Industrial temperature 2006 when the hole grew to to cover the entire continent. during alternating 100,000 year Revolution in the 18th centuryare -4 twice the size of Antarctica. The glacial and interglacial cycles. Of the highest on record. -8 hole's expansion seems to have * The white portion at/around the south poleis an unmeasurable area. 1979 2006 © JMA particular interest is the 340,000 300,000 250,000 200,000 150,000 100,000 50,000 Present stopped recent years, but it still yrs. ago yrs. ago yrs. ago yrs. ago yrs. ago yrs. ago yrs. ago day The Colors and Shapes of Auroras Depending on the altitude where Antarctica is Earth's window they originate, auroras can be divided into three main colors: red, greenish white and pink. Curtain-shaped auroras will often be red at the top and greenish white in the middle. This difference is due to to outer space. the differing energy ranges of the aurora particles and the types and Corona aurora Curtain-shaped aurora Ray-band aurora densities of atoms and molecules that occur at different altitudes.

Japan: One of the World's Biggest Mysterious Auroras: When Solar Wind Scientists of the world have joined forces to Holders of Meteorites Meets the Earth's Magnetic Field pursue research into the mechanisms of how solar wind and magnetosphere interaction create One of the biggest contributions of JARE is Japan has made significant contributions to the field auroras and what effects this may have on our collecting the large number of Antarctic of space science with its aurora observations. Some environment. meteorites. Antarctica is a treasure-house of people may wonder what connection there is meteorites. Following is a reason why Antarctica between ethereal auroras and space science, but is a prime collecting side for meteorites, and it auroras are actually discharge phenomena caused was Japanese scientists who discovered the when solar wind and the Earth's magnetic field mechanism. work together as a dynamo and generates electric Meteorites that strike Antarctica are preserved in power. In other words, they are upper atmosphere the ice which transports them, over tens and phenomena, not meteorological phenomena like rainbows. hundreds of thousands of years, toward the sea. The JARE searches for meteorites in the Sør Rondane Mountains. 8 The stripes in the background of the sky due are a crevasse. However, when the ice reaches the inland There are many unsolved mysteries in the auroral 9 mountains, it is damed up and sublimated by the through the surface for long time. Based on this phenomena. To shed some light on auroras, wind and the sun. Meteorites preserved in the ice idea, Japanese scientists have recovered about Japanese researchers use special cameras, radars can be gathered on the side once they break 16,800 meteorites through 2010. Since the and to engage in continuous monitoring Antarctic meteorites are protected in the ice, they from various aspects. One of the tools used for Meteorite Accumulation are kept clean in and on the ice, making them aurora observations is the monochromatic all-sky Mechanism excellent specimens for research. imager and the on-line color digital camera Falling meteorites developed by National Institute of Polar Research Meteorite collection site Japan has helped advance the field of planetary Ice pushed up by mountains (NIPR) in Japan. These instruments have been sublimates, exposing meteorites science with the understanding of early solar Carried to sea installed at Syowa Station, Chinese Zhongshan by moving ice system. Antarctic meteorites are also Ice Station and United States' Amundsen-Scott Station, contribute junior and senior high schools and joint observations have been conducted by for science education. Mountains scientists in these countries. Furthermore, Japan is Bedrock one of 11 countries involved with SuperDARN, a Antarctic Ocean Antarctic Ocean network of about 30 radars used for international joint auroral observations. Large antennas of Syowa Station SuperDARN radars.

Martian meteorite

The Many Types of Meteorites Lunar meteorite Syowa Station—On the Front Line of Aurora Observation

There are many different types were discovered in Antarctica.ctiicca. Auroras occur around both observation facility in , the Iceland of meteorites in Japan's mete Some of the lunar meteoritesriittes magnetic poles of the Earth in geomagnetic conjugate point of Aurora particles onite collection, including nine found in Antarctica are fromm tthe areas called as the auroral zones. Syowa Station, and it continues to Geomagnetic field line lunar and 11 Martian few side of the moon oppositeosssite Syowa Station is located directly observe northern and southern Auroral zones meteorites. We humans have to where the Apollo missionsiooons under the southern auroral zone, auroras simultaneously. These Aurora particles access to moon rock samples touched down. JARE wwill making it the ideal spot for two facilities constitute almost the brought back by lunar missions continue to actively collectingctiing observing auroras. Taking only conjugate (a pair of points such as Apollo, but we first meteorites in order to advanceannnce advantage of this location, Japan connected by a geomagnetic field Syowa Station realized that rocks from the the field of planetary science.. has always stood at the forefront line) on Earth where auroral Schematic illustration of conjugate aurora observation moon had been projected to 0 5 10 (cm) of aurora research. observations can be steadily Earth when lunar meteorites In 1983, NIPR established an conducted. Hidden Animal Ecosystems Revealed by Penguin-attached Cameras : an exciting By attaching tiny cameras to penguins, researchers observed the vertical distribution of krill — the main food of penguins — as well as the penguins’ hunting and challenging field success A survey conducted by the Japanese research team in 2006 found that Gentoo penguins have about a 25% for Marine Life Science! chance of finding krill when they dive 5m or deeper.

Southern Ocean Ecosystem and Global Antarctica and its surrounding waters are expected to Antarctica: New Era in Marine Antarctic ice shelves, some of which are 150m be particularly sensitive and vulnerable to Environmental Change environmental change. There are potential impacts Since penguins and seals spend most of their thick. Collapse of ice shelves may have large The pelagic environment is the water column away on the Southern Ocean ecosystem for environmental time in the sea, it is difficult to study their impact on the distribution of this fauna. change, e.g. global warming, sea ice-reduction, UV from the bottom or the shore. Plankton and nekton are ecology, and the research has lagged behind the major components of organisms that live suspended in exposure, harvesting impact, invasive species and The camera loggers, originally developed for the their liquid medium. Generally, plank- ton is by far the ocean acidification. study of terrestrial animals. To solve this Antarctic research, are now used around the most abundant organism in the ocean and they form Plankton is particularly sensitive to changes in their problem, researchers have been developing small world. Many animals equipped with camera the key flow of the pelagic food chain. environment. They are short live, grow and mature tracking devices called data loggers and loggers are now being used as autonomous ocean The plankton represent over the 95 % of the biomass of rapidly and thus have rapid turnover in their the Southern Ocean ecosystem. It comprises of populations. Furthermore, phytoplankton is directly applying them to seals and penguins in observers phytoplankton and zooplankton including krill. sensitive to change in oceanic and atmospheric Antarctica since 1980s. Phytoplankton as well as a complex microbial loop conditions through nutrient input, circulation, comprising bacteria, viruses, microzooplankton and wind-driven mixing, irradiance, etc. Due to the Data loggers revealed that emperor penguins can dissolved organic material (DOM) that recycle carbon significance of plankton in the Southern Ocean dive up to 564 m and that Weddell seals can dive and package material into large particles. Phyto- Ecosystem, their sensitive, to environment, and the 10 potential impact of changes in the plankton on higher up to 741 m and stay underwater for up to 67 plankton fix inorganic carbon and nutrients using light 11 energy in the surface waters by photosynthesis and trophic levels, as well as ecosystem service such as minutes. The hidden world of marine mammals CO uptake, the efficiency of the biological pump and contribute to the movement of CO2 between 2 has started to be revealed. Furthermore, atmosphere and ocean. DMS production etc., it is essential that we can (m) identify impacts of on them. The geomagnetic data loggers have revealed the 0 Crustaceans are also important members of zoo- effects of climate change on Southern Ocean plankton in Southern Ocean. Particularly, copepods ecosystem cannot be predicted without a detailed detailed swimming pathways of marine animals. and Antarctic krill are key groups in terms of biomass 100 understanding of the plankton. Based on this policy, Research using data loggers has taught us other with often aggregate into huge and dense swarms. Japan has maintained a long term Plankton They feed on phytoplankton and other parts of the Monitoring Program on JARE Voyages for nearly 40 things as well. Animals equipped with recently microbial loop, and form the essential link between years. developed camera loggers are now providing 200 microbial production and higher predators. All the 0 plankton components (phytoplankton, zooplankton researchers with new information about the and microzooplankton) play key roles in the uptake of underwater environments that humans were 300 200 CO , formation calcium carbonate and the vertical flux 2 never able to see before. Using camera loggers of these compounds to the deep ocean. They also 400 regulate the production and release of the attached to Weddell seals, the Japanese research 400 climate-activity gas, dimetylsulphide (DMS). Any 0 Underwater movements team found the rich fauna underside of the 200 of Weddell seals substantial changes in the plankton composition, 600 (m) revealed by data loggers function or abundance will have significant impacts on 400 (m) the ecosystem function, as well as flow on effects to resources such as krill, fishes, squids and also for the survival of iconic Antarctic marine mammals and birds. Plankton sampling on research vessel

Sinking Sinking current Upwelling current The Antarctic Ocean: Driving Force of Ocean Circulation Key Species: Antarctic Krill Upwelling The Antarctic Ocean drives the ocean. This process Euphausiid crustaceans are Antarctic krill serve as prey of global ocean circulation. When generates global ocean conspicuous members of every kind of larger predators the ocean freezes in winter, salt circulation. Southern Ocean plankton such as fishes, squids, penguins, is squeezed out of the ice, Scientists believe it takes about community. Collectively, they seals and whales and as Surface current thereby increasing the 2,000 years for ocean water to are referred as “krill”. Among consumers of phytoplankton.

Seafloor current concentration of salt in the circulate around the globe once. them, 6-cm long shrimp-like This is why it is said to be a key seawater below. This water, Since this circulation acts as a Antarctic krill (Euphausia species in Southern Ocean Deep-water current which is heavier than normal heat transfer system for the superba) is reputed to have the ecosystem. Standing stock of Antarctica seawater, sinks to the ocean entire ocean, it is an extremely largest biomass as a single Antarctic krill has been to order Ocean water takes about 2,000 years to circulate around the Earth. floor to become deep water, and important factor in the planet's metazoan species on planet, of 109 ton in Southern Ocean. it flows in the deepest parts of long-term climate control. playing a key role in the However, it is considered that structure and function of annual sustainable yields are Southern Ocean ecosystem. ultimately not to exceed 105 ton. Making Japan Comfortable with Technology from Antarctica

Construction on Antarctica is in Antarctica early on. Co- Advanced Japanese technology limited to a six-week period in generation systems that collect summer. This led to the birth of excess heat from generators to make prefab buildings—structures which hot water have been used by every can be assembled in a short period research team since the first of time. An airtight building can be expedition. supports the Japanese Antarctic built just by connecting panels full Syowa Station was opened in 1957 of good insulation together. To with four prefab buildings, but now ensure the effective use of limited it is a state-of-the-art research Japan's first prefab building was used by the first expedition. fuel supplies, cutting-edge energy facility with 60 buildings. Research Expedition. efficiency technology was adopted

Syowa Station: "Mother Station" of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition.

Advanced Japanese Technology on the Front Lines of Antarctic Research Antarctic expeditions cannot conduct their research without to carry them, along with supplies and fuel, to Antarctica. In 2009, Shirase (AGB-5003) was commissioned as the successor of the former Shirase (AGB-5002), an that supported the Japanese Antarctic Research The SM-100 large snow vehicle is used for inland traverse Expedition for 25 years. To help prevent marine pollution, the new Shirase was equipped with double-hulled fuel tanks, and trash processing and wastewater purification facilities were installed to 12 bolster the conservation of Antarctica's environment. 13 The snow vehicles and sleds at Syowa Station, which are used for inland traverse to Dome Fuji Station, are also packed with advanced Japanese technology. Not

only can the SM-100 large snow vehicle, which is used INTELSAT satellite communications system for trips to Dome Fuji Station, be driven in temperatures as low as -60°C, it is made of steel that can withstand temperatures as low as -100°C and has rubber caterpillar treads that maintain their elasticity even at -60°C. In 2004, a satellite communications system was installed, thereby giving Syowa Station access to e-mail and internet as well as an extension telephone line to the National Institute of Polar Research in Tokyo. Wastewater treatment building (Photo taken during construction) All of these technologies have been refined are are now used to make our lives more comfortable.

Shirase: Made with the Latest Japanese Shipbuilding Technology Antarctic Observation and Environmental Protection before being discharged. The In today's world, ships are typically Measuring 138m in length and To ensure that the damage caused to remaining sludge is taken back to built with a specific purpose in 29m wide with a load the Antarctic environment is kept to Japan for processing. Furthermore, all mind, be they tankers, cruise displacement of 20,000t, the the bare minimum, the Japanese solid waste is carried back to Japan. Renewable energy is being used at the liners or marine research second generation Shirase is a Antarctic Research Expedition stations as well. Currently, there is a vessels, but the world-class icebreaker that can conducts a wide array of environ- mental protection measures in 55kW solar power generation facility icebreaker for the advance through 1.5m-thick ice compliance with the Protocol on operating at Syowa Station and a Japanese Antarctic continuously. The latest Japanese Environmental Protection to the 10kW wind turbine is being tested. Research Expedition shipbuilding technology was Antarctic Treaty. For example, the Japan aims to use more renewable must possess many poured into making this vessel. wastewater from Japanese research energy in the future, and plans are in Maximum cargo weight: 1,100t functions and perform the works to upgrade the current Shirase can carry 100t more than stations is processed in septic tanks at the highest level. and purified to a level on par with facilities. its predecessor and is equipped with Solar power generation facilities two large helicopters. that of Tokyo's municipal water Expedition Calendar Midnight Sun 10 11 12 1 2 9876543 10 11 12 4321 You can join us in an Antarctic Previous overwintering expedition Summer expedition activities Overwintering expedition activities ●Early Feb.: Overwintering expeditions change ●Late June: Midwinter Festival (Winter Solstice) Next summer expedition Mid February Next overwintering expedition Previous overwintering expedition and summer Late March Late November expedition Late March Late November Mid February Members disembark Expedition departs Japan by air depart Members disembark Shirase Expedition departs Japan by air Previous overwintering Shirase research expedition! Boards Shirase in Australia Syowa Station Fly back to Japan from Australia Boards Shirase in Australia expedition and summer Fly back to Japan vexpedition depart Syowa Station from Australia

Shirase Mid November Mid December Mid April Mid November Mid December Shirase returns to Tokyo Arrive at Syowa Station Mid April Depart Tokyo Arrive at Syowa Station Depart Tokyo Shirase returns to Tokyo

Experts from Many Fields Work Together in Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, is Antarctica. operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Antarctic observations are promoted on a government-wide basis under the supervision of Antarctic expeditions are divided into two groups: the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition the summer expedition and the overwintering Headquarters (Director: Minister of MEXT). expedition. Summer expeditions conduct observations for three months (December - Electrical work Vehicle maintenance Construction and civil engineering Communications The National Institute of Polar Research serves as February) during the Antarctic summer, while the the core organization for Antarctic observations. It overwintering expedition conduct observations conducts research observations in cooperation for a full year. Expeditions consist of observation with numerous researchers from universities and members who handle the research and routine research institutes and manages Syowa Station observations and logistics staff who maintain the and Japan's other facilities on Antarctica. stations and day-to-day activities. In order to 14 The National Institute of Information and conduct observations and day-to-day activities Communications Technology, the Japan Meteoro- with limited manpower, each expedition members 15 logical Agency, the Japan Coast Guard and the must be experts in their field. Geographical Survey Institute all conduct routine Today, many experts work together in Antarctica observations. Shirase, the vessel used by the to pursue research with an eye on the Earth's future. Framework for Japanese Antarctic Monitoring observation Medicine Environmental conservation Research Expedition

National Institute of Information and Japanese Antarctic Research Communications Technology Expedition Headquarters Dispatch of Japan Meteorological Agency expedition Japanese Antarctic members Director: Minister of MEXT Japan Coast Guard Research Expedition Geographical Survey Institute (JARE) Related agencies National Institute of Polar Research HQ staff Academic experts Universities, companies etc.

Secretariat: MEXT “Shirase” Antarctic Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force observation ship

Power generation Cooking Equipment, outdoor, safety management Administrativel work

JARE Members *May differ annually JARE Recruitment Guidelines Expedition leader Research expedition members 1. Open positions 2. Application period ●Must recognize your res- Routine are selected from among experts Public recruitment is typically You can apply every year ponsibility as an expedition observations : NIICT / : JMA / Seafloor and tidal research: JCG / : GSI Observa- recommended by partner adopted for the following between early November and member for a national project. tions Research institutions and from public positions. (This way change mid-December from the NIPR observations Project-based research / Monitoring: NIPR, university researchers and technicians recruitment. If you are from year to year) homepage. Please direct any inquiries on Machinery: Electricians, Communications: Radio operators General Logistics: Antenna technicians, passionate and have expertise Antarctic research expedition ◎Cook vehicle mechanics, Cooking: Cooks INTELSAT operators, and experience that can assist 3. Application requirements member recruitment to: ◎Physician Logistics maintenance engineers, Medicine: Physicians construction engineers, Japanese Antarctic Research ●Must possess the required ◎Equipment/outdoor/safety managers National Institute of Polar Research power generation technicians Environmental Conservation: Syoervusirs equipment/outdoor/safety managers, Expedition, you, too, can join us. experience and expertise ◎Environmental supervisor 10-3 Midoricho, Tachikawa, Tokyo Administratives ●Must be mentally and ◎Construction Engineers 190-8518 physically health and able to ◎Monitoring researchers www.nipr.ac.jp work as a team 042-512-0655

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