Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology

Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
国立研究開発法人海洋研究開発機構
	JAMSTEC headquarters in Yokosuka
Predecessor	Japan Marine Science and Technology Center
Established	1 October 1971; 55 years ago (as Japan Marine Science and Technology Center)
Headquarters	Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan
Members	1026 people (2016 (fiscal year))
Owner	MEXT
Leader	Taira Asahiko
Budget	¥33.9 billion / $304 million (FY2016)
Website	www.jamstec.go.jp

The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (国立研究開発法人海洋研究開発機構, Kokuritsu-Kenkyū-Kaihatsu-Hōjin Kaiyō Kenkyū Kaihatsu Kikō; lit. "National Research and Development Legal Entity: Oceanic Research and Development Institute"), or JAMSTEC (海洋機構), is a Japanese national research institute for marine-earth science and technology. It was founded as Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (海洋科学技術センター) in October 1971, and became an Independent Administrative Institution administered by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) in April 2004.

Projects

International projects

The Array for Real Time Geostrophic Oceanography (ARGO)
The Climate Variability and Predictability Programme (CLIVAR)
Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
International Continental Scientific Drilling Program (ICDP)
The International Margins Program (InterMARGINS)
An initiative for international cooperation in ridge-crest studies (InterRidge)
Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP)
North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES)

Organization

JAMSTEC is organized into three sections: Research, Development and Promotion, and Management.

Research

Research Institute for Global Change (RIGC)
- Ocean Climate Change Research Program
- Tropical Climate Variability Research Program
- Northern Hemisphere Cryosphere Program
- Environmental Biogeochemical Cycle Research Program
- Global Change Projection Research Program
- Climate Variation Predictability and Applicability Research Program
- Advanced Atmosphere-Ocean-Land Modeling Program
Institute for Research on Earth Evolution (IFREE)
- Plate Dynamics Research Program
- Solid Earth Dynamics Research Program
- Deep Earth Dynamics Research Program
- Geochemical Evolution Research Program
Institute of Biogeosciences (Biogeos)
- Marine Biodiversity Research Program
- Extremobiosphere Research Program
- Earth and Life History Research Program
Leading Project
- Earthquake and Tsunami Research Project for Disaster Prevention
- Global Warming Research Project for IPCC – AR5
- Submarine Resources Research Project
Laboratory System
- Laboratory for Earth Systems Science
  - Precambrian Ecosystem Laboratory Unit
  - Space and Earth System Modeling Research Lab. Unit
- Application Laboratory
  - Climate Variations Research Laboratory Unit
Mutsu Institute for Oceanography (MIO)
- Research Group
- Research Promotion Group
- General Affairs Division, MIO
Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research (KOCHI)
- Research Group
- Science Services Group
- General Affairs Division, KOCHI
Research Support Department
- Research Support Division I
- Research Support Division II

Development and promotion

Marine Technology and Engineering Center (MARITEC)
- Planning and Coordination Group
- Marine Technology Development Department
- Research Fleet Department
- Research Vessel Construction Department
Earth Simulator Center (ESC)
- Information Systems Department
- Advanced Simulation and Technology Development Program
- Simulation Application Research and Development Program
Data Research Center for Marine-Earth Sciences (DrC)
- Data Management and Engineering Department (DMED)
- Global Oceanographic Data Center (GODAC)
Center for Deep Earth Exploration (CDEX)
- Planning and Coordination Department, CDEX
- Operations Department
- Technology Development Group
- Science Promotion Group
- HSE Group
Advanced Research and Technology Promotion Department
- Research Advancement Division
- International Affairs Division
- Public Relations Division
- Library Division
Observing System Research and Technological Development Laboratory
- Southern Ocean Buoy Laboratory Unit
- Autonomous Profiling Shuttle Development Laboratory Unit

Management

Planning Department
- Planning Division
- Technology Planning Office
- Press Office
Administration Department
- Administration Division
- Personnel Division
- Facility Management Division
- Employee Support Division
- YES General Affairs Division
- Tokyo Office
- Legal Affairs Office
Finance and Contracts Department
- Finance and Accounting Division
- Accounting Division
- Contracts Division I
- Contracts Division II
Safety and Environment Management Office
Audit Office

Equipment

JAMSTEC currently owns the following vessels and vehicles for marine research:

Research Vessels: RV Hakuhō Maru [jp], RV Shinsei Maru [ja; fr], and RV Kaimei [ja; fr]
Support Vessel: RV Yokosuka [jp; fr]
Manned Deep Submergence Vehicle: DSV Shinkai 6500
Deep Sea Scientific Drilling Vessel: Chikyū
Deep Sea Cruising Autonomous Underwater Vehicles: AUV Urashima 8000 [ja], AUV Yumeiruka [ja], AUV Jinbei [ja], and AUV Otohime [ja]
Remotely Operated Vehicles: Kaikō 7000 & 7000 II [ja; fr], Kaikō Mk-IV [ja; fr], Hyper-Dolphin [ja; fr], MR-X1 [ja], PICASSO [ja], MROV [ja], and REMUS 6000
Deep Ocean Floor Survey System: Deep Tow [ja]

RV Hakuho Maru
RV Shinsei Maru
RV Kaimei
RV Yokosuka
DSV Shinkai 6500
Chikyū
ROV Kaiko 7000Ⅱ
ROV Kaiko Mk-IV
ROV Hyper-Dolphin

Retired vessels and vehicles

The following vessels and vehicles have retired from service.

Research Vessels: RV Natsushima [jp; fr], RV Kaiyo [jp; fr], and RV Tansei Maru [jp]
Deep Sea Research Vessel: RV Kairei [ja; fr]
Oceanographic Research Vessel: RV Mirai
Manned Research Deep Submergence Vehicles: DSV Shinkai 2000
Remotely Operated Vehicles: Dolphin-3K [ja; fr], Kaikō, and ABISMO

RV Natsushima
RV Kaiyo
RV Tansei Maru
RV Kairei
RV Mirai
DSV Shinkai 2000
Dolphin-3K

Vessels under development

Arctic Research Vessel: ARV Mirai II [ja]
Manned Deep Submergence Vehicle: DSV Shinkai 12000 [ja]

Facilities

JAMSTEC is headquartered in Yokosuka and based in five other locations:

Yokohama Institute for Earth Sciences (YES) in Yokohama.
Mutsu Institute for Oceanography (MIO) in Mutsu, Aomori.
Kochi Institute for Core Sample Research (KOCHI) in Kōchi.
Global Oceanographic Data Center (GODAC) in Nago, Okinawa.
Tokyo Office.

References

↑ "予算と職員数の推移". JAMSTEC. Retrieved 17 March 2019.
1 2 3 "Organizational Overview". Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
↑ "Organization Chart". Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
↑ "Research Vessels and Vehicles". Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
↑ "Fleet & Research Facilities < Institute for Marine-Earth Exploration and Engineering (MarE3) < JAMSTEC". www.jamstec.go.jp. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
↑ "Deep Sea Research Vehicles < Institute for Marine-Earth Exploration and Engineering (MarE3) < JAMSTEC". www.jamstec.go.jp. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
↑ "Fleet & Research Facilities < Institute for Marine-Earth Exploration and Engineering (MarE3) < JAMSTEC". www.jamstec.go.jp. Retrieved 2026-10-02.
↑ "地球最後の秘境・深海はどんな世界? - 超深海をめざす「しんかい12000」(1) 「世界一」を取り戻す | TECH+（テックプラス）". news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2026-10-02.

External links

35°19′12.8″N 139°38′57.5″E / 35.320222°N 139.649306°E / 35.320222; 139.649306

[1] "予算と職員数の推移". JAMSTEC. Retrieved 17 March 2019.

[outline-2] 1 2 3 "Organizational Overview". Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. Archived from the original on January 26, 2012. Retrieved February 22, 2012.

[organization-3] "Organization Chart". Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. Retrieved February 22, 2012.

[ships-4] "Research Vessels and Vehicles". Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology. Retrieved February 22, 2012.

[5] "Fleet & Research Facilities < Institute for Marine-Earth Exploration and Engineering (MarE3) < JAMSTEC". www.jamstec.go.jp. Retrieved 2026-10-02.

[6] "Deep Sea Research Vehicles < Institute for Marine-Earth Exploration and Engineering (MarE3) < JAMSTEC". www.jamstec.go.jp. Retrieved 2026-10-02.

[7] "Fleet & Research Facilities < Institute for Marine-Earth Exploration and Engineering (MarE3) < JAMSTEC". www.jamstec.go.jp. Retrieved 2026-10-02.

[8] "地球最後の秘境・深海はどんな世界? - 超深海をめざす「しんかい12000」(1) 「世界一」を取り戻す | TECH+（テックプラス）". news.mynavi.jp (in Japanese). 2015-11-27. Retrieved 2026-10-02.

v t e Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology vessels and vehicles
Underlined vessels and vehicles are in development. Vessels and vehicles with superscript ^X have retired from service.
Research vessels	^XRV Natsushima [ja; fr] ^XRV Kaiyo [ja; fr] RV Yokosuka [ja; fr] RV Mirai ^XRV Kairei [ja; fr] RV Hakuhō Maru [ja] ^XRV Tansei Maru [ja; fr] RV Shinsei Maru [ja; fr] DV Chikyū RV Kaimei [ja; fr] ARV Mirai II [ja]
Manned deep-submergence vehicles	^XDSV Shinkai 2000 DSV Shinkai 6500 DSV Shinkai 12000 [ja]
Remotely operated underwater vehicles, Autonomous underwater vehicles, etc.	^XDolphin-3K [ja; fr] ^XKaikō Kaikō 7000 & 7000 II [ja; fr] Kaikō Mk-IV [ja; fr] Hyper-Dolphin [ja; fr] Deep Tow [ja] ^XABISMO AUV Urashima 8000 [ja] MR-X1 [ja] PICASSO [ja] MROV [ja] AUV Jinbei [ja] AUV Yumeiruka [ja] AUV Otohime [ja]

v t e Incorporated Administrative Agencies in Japan
There are 102 institutions as of April 1, 2012. Bold institutions employ national public servants.
Cabinet Office	National Archives of Japan ja:Northern Territories Issue Association ja:National Consumer Affairs Center of Japan
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications	National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) ja:National Statistics Center ja:Public Foundation for Peace and Consolation ja:Management Organization for Postal Savings and Postal Life Insurance
Ministry of Foreign Affairs	Japan International Cooperation Agency Japan Foundation
Ministry of Finance	ja:National Research Institute of Brewing Japan Mint National Printing Bureau Commemorative Organization for the Japan World Exposition '70
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology	ja:National Institute of Special Education National Center for University Entrance Examinations ja:National Institution For Youth Education ja:National Women's Education Center National Museum of Nature and Science National Institute for Materials Science ja:National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention ja:National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology National Institutes for Cultural Heritage ja:National Institute of Radiological Sciences ja:National Center for Teachers' Development Japan Science and Technology Agency Japan Society for the Promotion of Science RIKEN Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency ja:National Agency for the Advancement of Sports and Health Japan Arts Council ja:Japan Student Services Organization Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology ja:Institute of National Colleges of Technology National Institution for Academic Degrees and University Evaluation Japan Atomic Energy Agency
Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare	ja:National Institute of Health and Nutrition ja:National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health ja:Organization for Workers Retirement Allowance Mutual Aid ja:Japan Organization for Employment of the Elderly, Persons with Disabilities and Job Seekers ja:Welfare And Medical Service Agency ja:National Center for Persons with Severe Intellectual Disabilities, Nozominosono Japan Institute for Labour Policy and Training ja:Japan Labour Health and Welfare Organization ja:National Hospital Organization ja:Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency ja:National Institute of Biomedical Innovation ja:Readjustment of Facilities for Insured Persons and Beneficiaries Organization Government Pension Investment Fund ja:National Cancer Center ja:National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Hospital ja:National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry ja:National Center for Global Health and Medicine ja:National Center for Child Health and Development ja:National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontrogy
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries	ja:Food and Agricultural Materials Inspection Center ja:National Center for Seeds and Seedlings ja:National Livestock Breeding Center ja:National Fisheries University ja:National Agriculture and Food Research Organization ja:National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences ja:National Institute for Agro-Environmental Sciences ja:Japan International Research Center for Agricultural Sciences ja:Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute ja:Fisheries Research Agency ja:Agriculture & Livestock Industries Corporation ja:Farmer's Pension Fund ja:Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Credit Foundations
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry	ja:Information-Technology Promotion Agency ja:Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry ja:National Center for Industrial Property Information and Training Nippon Export and Investment Insurance National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology National Institute of Technology and Evaluation New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization Japan External Trade Organization ja:Japan Nuclear Energy Safety Organization ja:Information-technology Promotion Agency Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation ja:Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism	ja:Public Works Research Institute ja:Building Research Institute ja:National Traffic Safety and Environment Laboratory ja:National Maritime Research Institute ja:Port and Airport Research Institute ja:Electronic Navigation Research Institute ja:National Institute for Sea Training ja:Marine Technical Education Agency ja:Civil Aviation College ja:National Agency of Vehicle Inspection: Japan Railway Construction, Transport and Technology Agency Japan National Tourism Organization ja:Japan Water Agency ja:National Agency for Automotive Safety & Victims' Aid ja:Organization for Environment Improvement around International Airports ja:Maritime Disaster Prevention Center ja:Urban Renaissance Agency ja:Fund for the Promotion and Development of the Amami Islands ja:Japan Expressway Holding and Debt Repayment Agency ja:Japan Housing Finance Agency
Ministry of the Environment	ja:National Institute for Environmental Studies ja:Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency
Ministry of Defense	ja:Labor Management Organization for USFJ Employees
Related topics	ja:Act on General Rules for Independent Administrative Agency List of Independent Administrative Institutes in Japan ja:Japanese administrative reforms ja:Government Revitalization Unit ja:Japanese government program review ja:Japanese extra-governmental organizations

Authority control databases
International	ISNI VIAF GND
National	United States Japan
Academics	CiNii