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From the Director

Towards the development of atmospheric and ocean science and solving the problems of the Anthropocene

April, 2023

Prof. Hiroshi NIINO

The Atmosphere and Ocean Research Institute (AORI) was founded in 2010 by merging the Ocean Research Institute (established in 1962) and the Center for Climate System Research (established in 1991). The Institute promotes a variety of basic research on the structure and dynamics of the ocean and atmosphere, as well as on organisms that live in marine environments. The role of AORI is becoming increasingly important owing to emerging global environmental problems, such as global warming, increases in the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, pollution problems including microplastics, declining biodiversity, and fluctuations in marine resources. In response to these problems, we aim to deepen our understanding of the global environment and marine communities through bottom-up cutting-edge research conducted by faculty members. We also aim to contribute to policy design based on scientific knowledge through problem-solving research.

AORI is the only Joint Usage/Research Center for atmospheric and ocean research in Japan leading that vital research field. The main campus (Kashiwa, Chiba) and the Otsuchi Research Center (Otsuchi, Iwate) provide state-of-the-art research facilities and equipment for visiting researchers from throughout the country. The Institute also plans and operates joint usage/research using two research vessels “Hakuho Maru” and “Shinsei Maru” and the deep-sea research submersible support vessel “Yokosuka” owned by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). As a research institute of The University of Tokyo, the Institute is also responsible through its graduate school education programs for fostering the development of young researchers who will lead the next generation of atmospheric and ocean sciences.

To achieve these goals, we reorganized the AORI in 2022. The Center for Cooperative Research Promotion has been reorganized to promote support services related to the joint use of advanced analytical equipment, laboratory facilities, and research vessels in an integrated manner. An Open Science Promotion Section has been established to promote the management, operation, and disclosure of data. It is vital to fully understand our country’s ecosystems, which range from subarctic to temperate and subtropical zones. We also need to assess and develop countermeasures for the future impacts of environmental changes, such as global warming. To this end, the Preparation Office for the Subtropical Research Base (Amami Oshima) was established at the Center for International and Local Research Cooperation. Aiming for the promotion of regional revitalization of Japan, we have expanded the multi-disciplinary collaborative activity “School of Marine Science and Local Hopes.” This has been developed for reconstruction and future promotion of the Sanriku coast that was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011, also at the Amami Subtropical Research Base. We are also working to strengthen international collaborative activities predominantly focusing on Southeast Asia and the Pacific Rim.

With a broader perspective, through these basic and applied activities, we aim to achieve the stated goals in United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13 (SDG13) “Climate Action,” SDG14 “Life Below Water,” and the “United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030).” These initiatives also contribute to sustainable use of the earth as global commons. We would like to extend our thanks to you for your continued support and cooperation.

HYODO, Susumu
Director of AORI