Germany, Japan Discuss Future Joint Research in Arctic

A delegation of leading Japanese polar scientists and governmental functionaries has met with scientists from the Alfred Wegener Institute and the Center for Marine Environmental Studies (MARUM) in the House of Science in Bremen.

The delegation was led by Takashi Kiyoura, director of the office of Research Funding Administration, Science and Technology Policy Bureau, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, and Technology (MEXT), Kazuyuki Shiraishi, director of the des Japanese National Institute for Polar Research and Masao Fukasawa und Wataru Azuma, directors of the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC).

During their talks the scientists exchanged information about research programs and ongoing projects in the Arctic. They also discussed options for future cooperation.

Japan wants to enhance its research activities in the Arctic, but does not have an own polar research vessel. That’s why the Japanese polar scientists are interested in joined expedition on the German research icebreaker Polarstern.

It would not be the first cooperation between Germany and Japan in polar research. Scientists from the Alfred Wegener Institute have been working with Japanese experts for many years now, especially in the fields of glaciology and atmospheric research.