Insights on Global Warming: Findings from the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition
Takanobu Sawagaki, Professor
Department of Policy Science on Society, Faculty of Social Sciences
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Professor Sawagaki is a specialist in glacial geology and has been involved in Antarctic ice sheet research for many years. On his first expedition to Antarctica (1992 to 1994), he discovered curious landforms which suggested the possibility of water drainage beneath the ice sheet. Recently, his discovery has confirmed that liquid water actually exists and flows below the ice sheet. He and his colleagues continues to investigate how much Antarctic ice is melting according to the water under the ice sheets.
The wintering members of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition are a small group of select specialists. “Observation of the aurora, measuring the atmosphere, counting the penguin population… We conduct these research projects to uncover the secrets of the polar environment and ecosystem. In the extremely tough conditions in Antarctica, it's imperative that we work closely together to maintain the continuous operation of Syowa Station facilities,” he emphasizes.
On his fourth expedition to Antarctica (2021 to 2023), he served as a wintering station leader, and mostly committed to operational safety management. Talking about his vision for the future, he says, “Currently, the present state of the Earth is regarded as almost at a ‘climate tipping point.’ I hope that many people will learn about the activities of the Japanese Antarctic Research Expeditions, then I would be happy if such knowledge inspire them to take concrete actions.”
