Ocean around Japan has warmed at about twice the rate of the world’s oceans. In addition, ocean currents and marine environment surrounding Japan are in an abnormal state, with the Oyashio moving northward since the 2010s, the large meander path state of Kuroshio since 2017, and the norward meandered Kuroshio Extension, reaching the coast of Aomori prefecture since 2023 spring.
It is necessary to clarify the ocean current system to understand changes in the marine environment. Our research group aims to achieve an integrated understanding of ocean changes around Japan, focusing on ocean currents, through the following science targets:
- We challenge to reveal variability/change in ocean currents such as the Kuroshio/Kuroshio Extension, Oyashio, and Tsushima Warm Current, as well as the two-way relationships between currents.
- We challenge to clarify the impact of ocean current change on marine environment around Japan.
- We challenge to understand causes of heavy rainfall hitting western Japan and the physical processes of coastal marine heatwaves, which are becoming more frequent, by conducting research cruise off the southwest coast of Kyushu (planned for June 2026).
- We challenge to evaluate the increased severity of weather disasters caused by ocean warming in response to future changes in ocean currents.
