Director's Message
The National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) was founded in 1973 as an inter-university research institute to carry out comprehensive scientific research and observations in polar regions. Since 2004, as one of the research institutes constituting the Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS), NIPR has been playing a major role in Japanese Antarctic research programs, while pursuing cutting-edge studies in collaboration with research communities relating to the earth, the environment, life, space and other fields. Furthermore, NIPR is opening up new frontiers in interdisciplinary research under the framework of the Transdisciplinary Research Integration Center (TRIC) at ROIS and various other inter-university research programs.
Japanese Antarctic research programs have the history of more than 50 years and observations in polar regions are becoming increasingly important for monitoring earth environment. NIPR involves in wide range of activities in the Antarctic research programs both temporally and spatially through research by using advanced method, long-term monitoring observations and field and ocean observations in extensive areas.
Arctic research is drawing attention in recent years in particular, along with growing interest in global warming. NIPR steadily implements the Arctic Climate Change Project as one of Green Network of Excellence (GRENE) programs in collaboration with various research communities. NIPR further develops research in other areas of polar science not only in Arctic but also in bipolar areas.
These studies are planned and implemented under international frameworks. Having participated in activities of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the Asian Forum for Polar Sciences (AFoPS) and international joint observations with legacy of International Polar Year 2007-2008 (IPY2007-2008), NIPR plays an important role in international global observations.
The training of the researchers is a big task of the institute, too. As a parent institute of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), NIPR accommodates a 5-year doctoral course for graduate students in the Department of Polar Science, School of Multidisciplinary Sciences and is involved in fostering promising researchers with high-level research capabilities and skills for field science.
Utilizing the findings of observations and research in polar regions, NIPR promotes outreach activities for schools using INTELSAT satellite communication system. In addition, Polar Science Museum opened in the Tachikawa campus in 2010, is used as the information center to transmit history and current status of polar research and its achievement.
We ask all of you for understanding and support in our activities.
Kazuyuki Shiraishi
Director-General, National Institute of Polar Research
