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A new national Arctic research initiative, ArCS-3 (Arctic Challenge for Sustainability 3), was officially launched

11 April 2025

A new national Arctic research initiative, ArCS-3 (Arctic Challenge for Sustainability 3), was officially launched on 1 April 2025. Led by the National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), and Hokkaido University, the project was selected through a public call issued by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) to strengthen Japan's Arctic research capabilities. The proposal, led by Professor Hiroyasu Hasumi, Visiting Professor at NIPR, was accepted on 10 March 2025, and the project will run until March, 2030. It is the largest Arctic research program currently underway in Japan.

The Arctic region, where the effects of global warming are most pronounced, is undergoing rapid environmental changes. These changes have significant implications not only for the Arctic itself but also for the global climate and ecosystems, including those in mid-latitude regions. It is of utmost importance to address pressing issues such as improving the reliability of climate predictions, closing observational gaps, and conducting interdisciplinary research to address societal challenges related to the sustainability of the Arctic.

This is a continuation of Japan’s Arctic research efforts, which began with the GRENE Arctic Climate Change Research Project in 2011, followed by ArCS and ArCS II.

By leveraging the strengths of Japan’s interdisciplinary Arctic research community, the project will promote a deeper understanding of the polar environment. This will be achieved through the use of state-of-the-art observational infrastructure—including research vessels and Earth observation satellites—as well as advanced simulation and data systems. ArCS-3 will also foster the development of new research areas, train the next generation of researchers, and raise public awareness of Arctic-related societal challenges. By generating comprehensive knowledge that supports solutions to the environmental and social transformations occurring in the Arctic, ArCS-3 aims to contribute to Japan’s international role in both Arctic research and policy.

National Institute of Polar Research
Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
Hokkaido University

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