6:00 JST, May 13, 2026

Active discussions on the future of scientific research and environmental conservation are anticipated at the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting.

Satoshi Imura, who is vice director general of the Tokyo-based National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) and a member of the Japanese government’s delegation to the meeting, expressed his commitment to the talks in an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun.

“As a land without borders, Antarctica is a utopia for the pursuit of science,” Imura said. “I hope to foster deeper discussions to ensure that scientific research can proceed smoothly.”

The Antarctic Treaty, effective since 1961, mandates the freezing of territorial claims, the freedom of scientific research and international cooperation. Yet, the meeting will bring together nations that are antagonistic toward each other, including the United States and China, as well as Russia and Ukraine.

Warning that the meeting could “stray from the treaty’s fundamental spirit” if it becomes a mirror for global tensions, Imura urged participating nations to engage in constructive dialogue. He emphasized the need to protect Antarctica, describing the continent as a “common heritage........

© The Japan News