The UN Decade will seek to fill gaps in the global distribution of scientific capacity, data and knowledge, especially in relation to the science needed to achieve the SDGs. In preparation for implementation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science beginning in 2021, there are high expectations for the identification and development of solution-oriented approaches to ocean sustainability.

Since the dispatch of Japan’s first Antarctic Research Expedition in 1956, Antarctic observation has a history of 62 years. On the 60th Antarctic Research Expedition ocean observations were made from the icebreaker Shirase en route to and from Australia and in Lützow-Holm Bay near Showa Station. I would like to introduce the activities of the 60th Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition, which successfully completed its objectives in spite of difficult voyages due to stormy weather and rough sea-ice belts.

Women’s empowerment in ocean fields is increasing in Japan, including a gradual increase in leadership roles. In April 2019, the Third International Women's Conference on the theme “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community” was held at the World Maritime University (WMU), with over 350 participants from more than 70 countries, issuing in concrete goals from among their common issues. In Japan, Women for One Ocean Network was established in 2018 and expects to carry out activities in a variety of ocean fields.
Selected Papers No.25(p.11)