The wide-area seabed research vessel "KAIMEI," equipped with world-class research devices such as a seafloor-mounted excavator, power grab sampler, and 40-meter piston corer, plays many different roles in the field of marine resource research and also contributes to the development of new forms of marine observation. Through use of our new observational devices, we not only take on the challenges of obtaining marine information essential to understanding deep sea warming and to predicting disasters from earthquakes and tsunamis, but we also strive to obtain scientific outcomes that contribute to the peace of mind and safety of society.

Established with the objective of improving the livelihoods of local fishing communities, the Yamagata Prefectural Marine Education Research Group has continued in its efforts for more than 70 years. Along with the overall decline in the birthrate, there has been a decrease in the number of coastal elementary schools that promote marine education. Despite this situation, we continue to aim at the development of marine education in the local community, centered on the efforts of the Yamagata Prefectural Kamo Fisheries High School, and the creation of a nationwide network for marine education.

Since accepting our first female sailor in 1998, Mihara Steamship Co. has accepted more than 100 sailors to date, 43 of them being female. Of those accepted in 2003, one woman eventually rose to the rank of captain in 2009, becoming the first female to ever do so. Along with continuing to train and pass on ship handling techniques to our newly accepted sailors, we also look forward to actively creating environments that will allow our female sailors to thrive.