JAMSTEC Should be a first Choice for a Visit During Your Japan Travel

JAMSTEC stands for Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology was renamed from Japan Marine Science and Technology Centre in April 2004.

http://www.jamstec.go.jp/chikyu/eng/ChikyuImages/video2.html

JAMSTEC’s main objective is “to contribute to the advancement of academic research related to the ocean for the benefit of the peace and human welfare.” JAMSTEC will need to address the following challenges related to research and development over the next 15 years:

• An integrated understanding and prediction of global environmental changes.

• The establishment of an advanced understanding of the Earth’s interior, and its application for the mitigation of earthquake and tsunami disasters.

• A comprehensive study of the evolution of life and the history of the Earth.

• Development of resources research, and biotechnology.
The Yokosuka Head Office/Research Centre is located at 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, 237-0061. Web: http://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/ Public Relations Department Email: www-admin@jamstec.go.jp Tel: +81-46-867-9070 Fax: +81-46-867-9055

Approximately 6 months ago, American Chamber of Commerce Japan (ACCJ)’s environment and science divisions sponsored a speaking engagement with the Director from JAMSTEC. During his presentation, the director went into the functions of JAMSTEC as well as what they have done since Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. The organization has quite a few vessels along with both manned and unmanned submarines to conduct scientific research not only around the Japanese water but all over the world. Then in the recent past, ACCJ was invited back to participate in their guided facility tours along with our members. They offer guided group tours with 10 or more people on either Japanese or in English. They can even tailor the tour based on the interests of the group.

Once out team arrived at their facility, we were met by their staff and taken to a conference room to view the video. The video was so interesting and could not take our eyes off the screen. Then they have taken us to see their submarine fleets, various scientific labs and discussed what those submarines have done in the past to include what happened to cause such a large Tsunami during March 11, 2011 earthquake. One of their vessels with drilling capability went to the subduction zone and have taken quite a bit of core sample and discovered that the plate slipped approximately 50 meters easterly rather easily, where the scientist used to believe plate slippage would not occur easily. This was validated by the reading of low temperature taken from the core sample. If the plate movement was very hard, then the higher temperature would have shown up. The amount of friction (plate movement) would have caused either the high or the low temperature. If anyone is thinking about swimming from Japan to Hawaii in the future, your swimming distance has been shortened by 50 meters. : )))

All submarines can go down to the depth of 3,000 meters but others can dive much deeper and explore the parts of our ocean we have never seen before. A fascinating adventure, not only for the kids but for the adults as well.
They hold an open house once a year and it is held during the summer time and I’ve actually attended one last year and it was such an eye opening event for they have so many displays for all ages, hold scientific discovery and other presentations and learn so much about our most abundant resource - ocean. Do go there if you have a chance next summer. They had free shuttles going back and forth from JAMTEC to “Oppama” train station, which is on the Keikyu train line. Take your kids and expose them to such a positive scientific event. Who knows, they may be the one who will discover the secrets of deep ocean mysteries.

The tours are available free of charge at 9:30-12:00 or 13:30-17:00, Monday through Friday. The tour takes approximately one and a half hours.
Tour Guidelines:
• Tours are booked on a first come, first served basis.
• Tour application form should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to your visit.
• This is a walking tour including a maintenance shop, experiment facility, etc. Please wear comfortable shoes with no high-heel.
• Tour details may be altered depending on the schedule of research vessels, underwater vehicles, and experiments and so on. Please be aware that if there is a sudden change in the schedule, it may not be possible to see vessels, vehicles, etc.