Linking up Antarctic observations between Japanese and international communities

Director  Yoshifumi NOGI

The Center for Antarctic Programs (CAP) came into being in 2009 by merging research staff group and administrative / technical staff group in order to support every operations and activities of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) go smoothly and efficiently. CAP covers such tasks as arrangements of planning and projects with research communities, maintenance of Antarctic stations, recruitment and nomination of expedition members, preparation of medical examination and training, transportation to Antarctica, and issues of environmental protection, etc.

JARE invites foreign scientists from many countries every year to perform scientific collaboration in Antarctica. Recently, Asian Forum for Polar Science (AFoPS) was established, in which Japan, Korea, China, India, Malaysia organize annual meeting every year to exchange information among member countries and to encourage other Asian countries’ involvements in polar Research.