The Nippon Foundation Embarks on New International Initiative to Unlock the Mystery of “Dark Oxygen” by Deploying Cutting-Edge Deep-Sea Landers [2026/03/03]
From left: The Nippon Foundation Executive Director Mitsuyuki Unno, Franz Geiger of Northwestern University and Jeffrey Marlow of Boston University at a press conference in London on January 20, 2026, to unveil the launch of a joint research project to unlock the mystery of “dark oxygen.”
The Nippon Foundation has embarked on a joint international research project to unlock the mystery of “dark oxygen” with Northwestern University and Boston University of the United States and the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS).
The Nippon Foundation Dark Oxygen Research Initiative (DORI) aims at leading the way in identifying the source of dark oxygen in the darkest depths of the ocean and closely analyzing the polymetallic nodules and their surrounding deep-sea environment to determine the mechanism by which it is created, it was announced at a press conference in London on January 20.
The phenomenon was first discovered 4,000 meters below the surface of the Pacific Ocean when a team of SAMS researchers, led by Professor Andrew Sweetman, noticed increased oxygen levels despite this occurring on the sunlight-deprived ocean floor.
In July 2024, he published the discovery in the journal, Nature Geoscience, calling into question the previously held scientific consensus that oxygen is produced solely from light through photosynthesis.
Geobiologist Jeffrey Marlow of Boston University and chemist Franz M. Geiger of Northwestern University, who are globally recognized leaders in their fields, joined the project in late 2025.
The scientific world is divided with regard to dark oxygen with some scientists flatly denying its existence.
Others hypothesized that ancient polymetallic nodules, found on the ocean floor, were conducting a current that was splitting the water at the ocean floor, producing oxygen and hydrogen.
But exactly how this oxygen is produced in the darkness of the deep ocean remains unclear.
At the press conference, the scientists unveiled two new landers that are capable of diving to a depth of 11 kilometers and withstanding 1,200 times the pressure on Earth's surface with the aim of finding out how the nodules could be creating oxygen.
Unlike the previous missions, these landers will have sensors specifically designed to "measure seafloor respiration", Mr. Sweetman explained.
The landers will be launched from a research ship in the Clarion Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the central Pacific Ocean, a vast region between Hawaii and Mexico, in the spring. The world will probably not know the results until the vessel returns from the expedition in June and further experiments back on dry land could take months, he added.
Executive Director Mitsuyuki Unno of The Nippon Foundation, commented: “The ocean’s depths are still a world that is unknown to humans. To use the ocean’s great potential responsibly and ensure that we pass on its bounty for humanity to future generations, we must preserve and use it based on sound science. If the existence of dark oxygen is reconfirmed, we will determine how important it is for deep-sea ecosystems.”
Professor Sweetman stated: “This truly is a global research initiative, and one which has global implications. We know there are several areas of the ocean where dark oxygen may have been identified. It is very exciting because whatever the research shows could help us answer some of the biggest mysteries about life on Earth.”
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO) has endorsed the project as a UN Ocean Decade activity.
The Nippon Foundation is funding the follow-up studies with a grant of U.S. $5.2 million.
Professor Andrew Sweetman of the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) remotely joins the press conference in London on January 20, 2026, about the launch of the joint international research project to unlock the mystery of “dark oxygen.”
Global Appeal 2026 Highlights Role of Education as Key to Ending Leprosy-Related Stigma, Discrimination (3) [2026/02/25]
At the ceremony in Brussels on January 29, 2026,
the Global Appeal 2026 declaration was read out by Ms. Bimla Kujur (fourth from right), a person affected by leprosy from India, together with Dr. Mugwena Maluleke (fourth from left), president of Education International.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Global Appeal 2026 declaration was read aloud by Ms. Bimla Kujur, a person affected by leprosy from India, and Dr. Mugwena Maluleke, the president of Education International.
The following is the text of the Global Appeal 2026 to End Stigma and Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy:
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is an infectious bacterial illness that primarily affects the skin and peripheral nerves. Although it is curable, persons affected by leprosy and their families continue to face stigma and discrimination in many parts of the world.
Addressing the misconceptions that perpetuate this injustice requires the transformative power of education. Education plays a crucial role in shaping the values of future generations, and the right to quality education is a precondition for equity, inclusion and social justice.
As the global voice of teachers, Education International is committed to advancing education that fosters critical thinking, challenges prejudices and eliminates all forms of discrimination, within schools and across society.
Equipping teachers and education personnel with accurate knowledge of leprosy and supporting them to share this information with students can help reduce fear and misunderstanding. Such education also fosters empathy and strengthens respect for human rights.
Schools also serve as vital community hubs for health promotion and disease prevention. Promoting awareness and screening can help to identify early signs of leprosy, enabling timely treatment and reducing the risk of disability and stigma.
Education trade unions also have a vital role to play. Through training, campaigns and collaboration with health and education authorities, unions can empower educators to become champions of inclusion and health.
As educators, we will use our collective voice to promote knowledge, empathy and action, working toward a society in which the dignity of all individuals is upheld.
Global Appeal 2026 Highlights Role of Education as Key to Ending Leprosy-Related Stigma, Discrimination (2) [2026/02/24]
Speaking at the ceremony to launch the Global Appeal 2026 to End Stigma and Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy in Belgium on January 29, 2026.
The ceremony in Belgium to launch the Global Appeal 2026 to End Stigma and Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy on January 29 featured several video messages, including one from Dr. Beatriz Miranda, UN Special Rapporteur on the elimination of discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their family members.
She noted that, although leprosy is curable, discrimination against those affected by the disease persists. "Ending discrimination is a matter of justice, essential for ensuring rights, social inclusion and peace," she said.
Another message was from Ms. Stefania Giannini, assistant director-general for education at UNESCO, who said that education is one of the most powerful tools to advance dignity, equality and social justice. “When teachers are supported and empowered, education becomes a transformative force that challenges fear and misinformation, promotes inclusion and solidarity, and ensures that no learner is left behind,” she said.
Ms. Maguette Ndiaye, chair of the Oversight Committee of the 3rd Global Forum of People's Organizations on Hansen's Disease, spoke on behalf of persons affected by the disease. She noted that although leprosy is curable, those who have experienced the disease continue to face stigma and discrimination.
“Leprosy does not define a person,” she said, calling for awareness based on accurate information, the elimination of discrimination and the protection of human rights, as well as collective efforts toward building an inclusive society.
Ms. Pascale Barnich, general manager of the Damien Foundation, said: “The elimination of leprosy is within reach. To achieve this, we must continue to support research in order to improve diagnosis, strengthen health systems, pursue poverty-reduction programs, and fight judgement and false beliefs that fuel stigma. Education, both here and elsewhere, is key: it can either reinforce exclusion or help build societies where differences are a strength and a force for a fairer world.”
In my remarks, I stated that it was particularly meaningful that this year’s Global Appeal was being issued from Belgium, as this was the birthplace of Father Damien. The Catholic saint devoted his life to caring for people affected by leprosy on the island of Moloka’i in Hawaii, as well as improving their living conditions.
Drawing on nearly 50 years of field visits to more than 120 countries on a mission to eliminate the disease and the associated stigma and discrimination, I emphasized the importance of access to education and the awareness that education brings.
I said it was necessary to ensure that children and families affected by leprosy can attend school without barriers, and that communities, teachers and students are equipped with accurate knowledge to dispel myths and prevent discrimination.
"Education is essential to breaking the cycle of poverty and stigma, empowering affected individuals and building inclusive societies," I said.
(To be continued)
The ceremony to launch the Global Appeal 2026 in Brussels on January 29, 2026, brought together some 80 participants, including persons affected by leprosy, educators, policymakers, health professionals and civil society representatives.
Global Appeal 2026 Highlights Role of Education as Key to Ending Leprosy-Related Stigma, Discrimination (1) [2026/02/20]
A delegation of persons affected by leprosy from Brazil, India and Indonesia and other stakeholders who participated in a roundtable audience with Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians (front row, third from right) in Brussels on January 29, 2026. The audience took place ahead of an event to launch the Global Appeal 2026 to End Stigma and Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy.
On January 29 in Brussels, Belgium, I participated in hosting the Global Appeal 2026 to End Stigma and Discrimination Against Persons Affected by Leprosy in my capacity as honorary chair of The Nippon Foundation and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination.
The event was co-hosted by Education International (EI) and the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen's Disease) Initiative (SLI), in partnership with the Damien Foundation. SLI is a strategic alliance between the WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination, The Nippon Foundation and the Sasakawa Health Foundation for achieving a world without leprosy and problems related to the disease.
The annual appeal that I initiated in 2006 is issued on or near World Leprosy Day, which falls on the last Sunday of January. It’s an annual call to action aiming to mobilize different sectors of society to sign a collective pledge to eliminate the social barriers surrounding leprosy, also known as Hansen's disease.
With the participation of EI, the global voice of teachers and education workers, this year’s appeal highlights the vital role educators play in dispelling myths, reducing prejudice and promoting inclusion.
Through its 375 member organizations, Brussels-based EI represents more than 33 million teachers and education support personnel in 180 countries and territories.
On the morning of the launch event, a delegation of persons affected by leprosy from Brazil, India and Indonesia and other stakeholders participated in a roundtable audience with Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Belgians at the Royal Palace in Brussels.
Expressing my sincere gratitude to Her Majesty for graciously hosting the roundtable, I said: “For me, the achievement of a world free from leprosy has been my lifelong mission.”
I noted that, although leprosy has already been eliminated in developed countries such as Belgium and Japan, the problem is far from over. “Even today, official data show that more than 170,000 new cases are reported annually, mainly in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.”
However, a world without leprosy is not an impossible dream, I said, and pledged that I would continue to devote myself to eliminating the disease as well as the stigma and discrimination associated with it.
At the Global Appeal launch ceremony, Dr. Jean-Pierre Baron Schenkelaars, former president of the Damien Foundation, read out a message from the Queen: "I warmly welcome the Global Appeal 2026, which unites key actors around dignity, inclusion and the fight against leprosy-related stigma. By linking health, education and equality, this Global Appeal reflects the spirit of the Sustainable Development Goals and deserves my full support.”
The event brought together some 80 participants at The Merode, including persons affected by leprosy, educators, policymakers, health professionals and civil society representatives to reaffirm a shared commitment to dignity, inclusion and the principle of leaving no one behind.
Pledging the support of 33 million members across 180 countries and territories, EI President Dr. Mugwena Maluleke highlighted teachers’ critical role in ending stigma and discrimination. “In their classrooms, in their schools, their universities and in their communities, teachers are the agents of this transformation. Teachers challenge harmful stereotypes, promote accurate understanding and create the inclusive learning environments essential to combating stigma. Their influence extends far beyond imparting knowledge. They shape values, nurture empathy and model respect.”
Mr. Takashi Kajiwara, EI vice president and president of the Japan Teachers' Union, emphasized that education empowers children to understand invisible threats, break prejudice and grow up with zero tolerance for discrimination.
Indonesian President Prabowo Fully Supports Campaign to Eliminate Leprosy, Endorses Our Plan for National Conference (2) [2026/02/16]
With Indonesian social media influencer Mr. Arnold Putra at a press conference in Jakarta on January 16, 2026. He said he was interested in working with The Nippon Foundation in reaching out to the younger generation to raise awareness about leprosy.
At a press conference in Jakarta on January 16 following my meeting with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, I was joined by social media influencer Mr. Arnold Putra.
It was my first in-person meeting with Mr. Putra, whose release from detention in Myanmar I helped to secure last July. I had responded to a request from Indonesian Defense Minister Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin to help resolve Mr. Putra’s case, flying to Yangon and meeting with Myanmar military officials to facilitate his release.
Mr. Arnold Putra, also known as AP, had been detained in Myanmar since December 2024 for allegedly entering the country illegally and contacting armed groups deemed illegal by the Myanmar authorities. He was sentenced to seven years in Insein Prison under immigration, anti-terrorism and unlawful association laws.
At the press conference, he expressed his interest in helping The Nippon Foundation reach out to the younger generation about leprosy. He said he would contribute by raising awareness about leprosy treatment and conveying the message to the public not to discriminate against people affected by the disease.
“So, the first step is online education through social media, where I and several friends and other online figures will inform people that leprosy is not what we all think it is,” said Mr. Putra.
Actually, leprosy is not easily transmitted, he went on, and noted that the medicines provided to those affected by the disease in Indonesia are all free.
The following is an email I received from him days after returning from Jakarta to Tokyo:
Dear Mr Sasakawa,
I am forever grateful of the fact that i was able to stand beside you in continued commitment to eliminate leprosy a few days ago. I would like to ask of any specific direction or message that i may be able to convey at the present moment on social media, i would be very happy to combat the false stigma that comes with leprosy and to assist with the provision of aid alongside whether it be in person together or however else i could. it would be an absolute pleasure to be of accompaniment in person.
I hope you have a fruitful week ahead and may God continue to bless you for your contribution to society in abundance.
With utmost respect,
Arnold putra.
(End)
Speaking at a press conference alongside Indonesian social media influencer Mr. Arnold Putra in Jakarta on January 16, 2026. It was my first in-person meeting with him after he was released from detention in Myanmar in July 2025.
Indonesian President Prabowo Fully Supports Campaign to Eliminate Leprosy, Endorses Our Plan for National Conference (1) [2026/02/13]
Presenting Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (right) with a bouquet of preserved red roses at his private residence in Bogor on January 16, 2026, during my four-day visit to his country.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto expressed his full support for The Nippon Foundation’s campaign to help his country eliminate leprosy, endorsing a plan to hold a national conference on the disease in the Southeast Asian republic.
I met with the president during my four-day visit to Indonesia from January 14 to 17 in my capacity as honorary chair of The Nippon Foundation and WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination.
“He has shown his full support for carrying out the foundation’s various initiatives to eliminate this disease across the nation,” I told a press conference in Jakarta on January 16 following our meeting at his private residence in Bogor, some 60 kilometers south of the capital Jakarta.
Noting that people in Indonesia still harbor misconceptions about the treatment of leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, I told him that individuals the disease and even those who have been cured often face stigma and discrimination.
“When it comes to eliminating discrimination or stigma, comprehensive national support is needed so that society no longer discriminates against [people affected by the disease]. Therefore, this is one of the approaches where we are asking for the full support of the president,” I said.
Leprosy remains a public health problem in Indonesia with 13,000 to 15,000 new cases reported annually, according to the Indonesian Health Ministry. It ranks third in terms of annual new leprosy cases after India and Brazil, accounting for 8% of all cases worldwide.
I explained to the president that India is committed to achieving the ambitious goal of a leprosy-free country by 2030 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while Brazil plans to hold a national conference on the disease in Rio de Janeiro on March 12-14 in the presence of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
“This 87-old-man’s deepest hope is to eliminate leprosy and stigma and discrimination associated with the disease in Indonesia,” I said, adding that I plan to visit the country six times this year to help promote anti-leprosy campaigns, as I did in India. In response, the president gave a deep nod.
Indonesian Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin was also present at the meeting. He said that his ministry has added leprosy screening to its Free Health Check (CKG) program this year as part of efforts to accelerate the elimination of the disease.
I have spent almost 50 years fighting leprosy around the world and know of no one who has worked as earnestly as Mr. Budi, I told the president, adding that, with Minister Budi in charge, I am convinced that Indonesia will be a zero-leprosy country by 2030.
Noting that leprosy is not only a medical but also a social issue that goes beyond the purview of the Health Ministry, I called on the president to issue an executive order to stop stigma and discrimination against persons affected by the disease.
The president said that as multidrug therapy (MDT) is distributed to those diagnosed with leprosy free of charge, as I had indicated to him, it would not be difficult to eliminate Hansen’s disease in his country. “You have my full support,” he said.
(To be continued)
With Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto (center) and Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin in Bogor on January 16, 2026. They agreed to pose for a photograph with a banner reading "Don't Forget Leprosy," a campaign that I initiated in 2021 to ensure that leprosy was not overlooked even amid the coronavirus pandemic
My Message for World Leprosy Day 2026 [2026/02/03]
Last month, on the eve of World Leprosy Day, I posted a message on the World Health Organization (WHO) website in my capacity as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination.
In my message, I reflected on the fact that this year marks the 25th anniversary of my appointment as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador.
Drawing on decades of firsthand engagement with communities affected by leprosy, I highlighted both the remarkable progress achieved thanks to multidrug therapy and the persistent challenges that remain−particularly stigma, discrimination, and delayed diagnosis.
I emphasized that leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease, is not only a medical issue but also a human rights and social justice concern. I called for renewed global commitment to ending discrimination and for all persons affected by leprosy to be recognized and treated with dignity.
World Leprosy Day, celebrated on the last Sunday of January, is an opportunity to show solidarity with people who have experienced leprosy, raise awareness of the disease, and call for an end to leprosy-related stigma and discrimination.
Allow me to share with you here the full text of my message for World Leprosy Day 2026, which you can also find on the WHO website:
As we commemorate World Leprosy Day on January 25, 2026, I am reflecting on the fact that this year marks the 25th anniversary of my appointment as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination.
Over the past quarter-century, I have traveled to over 100 countries, listening to the voices of those affected by the disease and dedicating my efforts to realizing a world without leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease.
The adoption of multidrug therapy, the drug regimen recommended by the WHO in 1981, has transformed the treatment of leprosy. Since the mid-1980s, when there were more than 5 million cases of the disease, there has been a significant decline in numbers. In 2024, 172,717 cases were reported by 133 countries.
However, of these cases, 5.4% were children under 15 and 5.3% were grade 2 disability cases, meaning they had visible impairments. Together, they indicate ongoing transmission within the community and delayed diagnosis. In other words, despite the fall in case numbers over the years, they show that we have not solved all the challenges that leprosy poses.
One of the most stubborn challenges that I encounter on my travels is the social stigma attached to leprosy, which can be more problematic than the disease itself, and which can persist beyond the end of treatment. This is particularly true for people who have been left with residual disabilities as a result of leprosy. They may face various forms of discrimination, including forced divorce, lost educational opportunities and unfair dismissal. Even after being cured, they endure the unending pain of social exclusion.
I sometimes wonder if discrimination in human society originated from a fear of leprosy. One of the oldest known infectious diseases, leprosy is mentioned in the Bible and other ancient texts. Prejudices that have built up over more than 2,000 years are still deeply ingrained.
In 2010, the international community clearly defined leprosy as a human rights issue in an attempt to address this. The unanimous passing of the UN General Assembly resolution to eliminate discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their families was a historic step forward. However, I am concerned that interest in this issue among nations has waned in recent years.
Progress against leprosy cannot be measured solely by case numbers. Those affected by the disease tend to be among the most vulnerable and marginalized members of society, susceptible to poverty and increasingly to the effects of climate change. This is a problem of inequality and structural discrimination. To realize the Sustainable Development Goals’ vision of a society that leaves no one behind, we must engage with these issues and these people above all else.
As we work to eliminate this age-old disease, it is also our responsibility to end to the historical discrimination against those affected by it. I will not rest until everyone affected by leprosy is recognized and treated with dignity. Please join me in breaking down the walls of prejudice.
Highly Appreciative of 400 Million Yen Donation from Anonymous Woman [2026/01/29]
At the beginning of the New Year, I was amazed and grateful that The Nippon Foundation received a donation of 400 million yen (about $2.62 million) from an elderly woman in Osaka, western Japan. The sender remains anonymous.
A year earlier, we received a donation of 200 million yen (about $1.31 million) in three big cardboard boxes, delivered to our office by a parcel delivery service from an anonymous woman in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan.
This followed a donation of the same amount that the foundation received in two cardboard boxes from an anonymous man in Osaka at the start of 2023. The invoice indicated that the boxes contained books, so we were stunned to discover they were full of 10,000 yen (about $65.5) notes.
We are truly appreciative of all our donors and recognize the trust they have placed in us to make good use of their heart-warming donations as we engage in our activities.
The Nippon Foundation receives donations, both large and small, from a wide variety of people every day.
Established in 1962, the foundation is Japan’s largest grantmaking organization and has been actively addressing various social issues at home and around the world. To mention just a few, these include supporting children in financial difficulties, people with disabilities and those hit by severe natural disasters, as well as addressing global ocean issues such as plastic waste.
The Nippon Foundation uses the entire amount of all donations received for activities that contribute to society, without deducting indirect or administrative expenses.
All activities are audited and reported to donors. With 60 years of experience, we have a global network of nonprofit organizations and businesses.
I send a signed, handwritten letter of thanks to those who contribute 10,000 yen or more to the foundation. Sometimes I write as many as 500 such letters a day.
Never taking the trust placed in us for granted, all of our staff and I are determined to make even greater efforts throughout the year and beyond to solve social issues that are beyond the reach of national and local governments and international organizations.
80% of Japanese Youths Expect First Female Prime Minister to Bring About Change [2026/01/22]
Which best describes your impression of Japan having its first female prime minister?
On October 21, 2025, Ms. Sanae Takaichi was elected Japan’s 104th prime minister by its Diet (Parliament), making her the first woman in the nation’s history to hold the office.
To look into how young Japanese feel about the new leader, The Nippon Foundation conducted an online survey from November 7 to 10, covering 1,000 people aged between 17 and 19 across the country.
Asked about their views on the nation’s politics in the wake of Ms. Takaichi’s inauguration, more than 60% (60.6%) viewed it as a “positive change,” whereas a mere 2.0% saw it as a “negative change.” Meanwhile, 33.5% said they did not see any particular change.
Asked what best describes their impression of Japan having its first female prime minister, a little more than a third (35.8%) said they had a “sense of new hope.” A much higher proportion of females (44.4%) than men (27.7%) had that impression.
In addition, 31.6% said they did not feel that gender matters, while one fifth (20.0%) said the country has made a historic advance and 6.0% said her selection is only natural in view of global trends,
On the other hand, a mere 1.3% said they had a feeling of apprehension about the new prime minister being a woman.
With regard to their expectations for possible change in Japan from Ms. Takaichi based on her actions during her first three weeks in the job, a great majority (82.9%) expected her to bring about change in Japan, while only 5.1% foresaw no change.
Regarding the breakup of the 26-year-old coalition between the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the centrist Komeito, days before Ms. Takaichi’s election as prime minister, more than half (54.1%) said it would “have a positive effect on Japan’s politics,” while only 4.8% said it would have a negative effect.
More males (61.7%) than females (46.0%) gave the former response, while almost half of the women (47.8%) said they “don’t know,” as compared to 31.0% of men.
Concerning the new coalition the LDP formed with the right-wing Japan Innovation Party, known as Ishin, which in effect enabled Takaichi to take the helm of the government, more than half of respondents (52.3%) said it would “have an effect on my own life going forward,” while 15.6% said it would “have little or no effect.” But 30.3% of all respondents, and almost 40% of females (39.8%), replied they “don’t know.”
Asked to pick up three things they expected of her, the top reply was “having conviction that Japan will become better” (30.5%), followed by an “ability to build relationships with other countries and an international perspective” (23.7%), “being clean” (22.7%), policies that “prioritize revitalizing the economy” (21.3%), the power to carry out policies (19.5%) and policies that take account of young people’s opinions (17.7%).
As to what issues they would like to see emphasized going forward, the top reply was economic policy (38.1%), followed by the declining birthrate and support for childcare (35.4%), tax reform (26.5%), education (22.2%), immigration and refugee policies (20.3%), and social security, including pensions and insurance (18.5%).
In terms of reducing the number of members of the House of Representatives and pursuing the so-called “Secondary Capital Concept” for developing a hub that can substitute for Tokyo in case of disasters−the preconditions Ishin made for entering into the coalition with the LDP−support was limited to single digits (6.1% and 1.0%, respectively).
Asked what is needed for securing political stability in Japan, the list was topped by “leadership from Prime Minister Takaichi” (20.7%), responsible actions and words from opposition parties (15.1%), policy proposals backed by financial resources (11.4%), cementing the stability of the ruling coalition (8.3%), dissolution of the House of Representatives for a snap election (6.9%) and expanding the coalition by attracting other parties (4.4%).
Prime Minister Takaichi said on January 19 that she would dissolve the lower house at the beginning of the ordinary Diet session on January 23 for a snap general election on February 8.
Based on Ms. Takaichi’s actions since becoming prime minister, what are your expectations for her to bring about change in Japan?
World’s First Fully Autonomous Passenger Ferry to Start Commercial Service in Japan Under the “MEGURI2040” Project (3) [2026/01/16]
The 749 gross-ton containership Mikage, equipped with an autonomous navigation system, is being readied for certification by the Japanese government in order to start commercial operations by the end of March 2026 under the “MEGURI2040” project.
Under the “MEGURI2040” project, three more vessels are slated to start fully autonomous navigation on their respective commercial routes by the end of March.
The 749 gross-ton 65-meter-long containership Mikage is being prepared for certification of its unmanned navigation system by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).
Developed by a group of three companies, led by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Ltd. (MOL), a major shipping company, the Mikage is set to operate on a commercial route between Kobe, western Japan, and Nagoya, central Japan.
Containerships of roughly the Mikage’s size (749 gross tons) play an important role in coastal transport in Japan, accounting for roughly 10% of coastal vessels in operation.
The 11,413 gross-ton 173.8-meter-long Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) cargo ship Hokuren Maru No. 2 is being prepared for demonstration voyages in waters congested with fishing boats where it could also encounter fog.
Equipped with an autonomous navigation system, it is operated by a three-company team led by Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line).
It operates on a commercial sea route of approximately 1,600 kilometers round trip between Hitachi, some 140 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, and Kushiro in Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost prefecture. It is due to start fully autonomous commercial navigation on the route upon obtaining the MLIT certificate.
The newly-built domestic containership Genbu was built anticipating unmanned operations. The 5,689 gross-ton 134.9-meter-long vessel was launched in April 2025 by a 15-company group, led by MTI (Monohakobi Technology Insititute) Co. It is due to serve a commercial route linking Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya and Yokohama, south of Tokyo.
I sincerely hope the three vessels will join the passenger ferry Olympia Dream Seto in passing screening by MLIT to start autonomous navigation on their respective commercial routes by the end of March.
Given the high levels of Japan’s IT and AI technologies combined with its years of experience as a leading shipping and shipbuilding country, I strongly hope that Japan will lead the way in the field of unmanned vessels.
The 11,413 gross-ton Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) cargo ship Hokuren Maru No. 2 is being prepared for demonstration voyages in congested and foggy waters and slated to obtain government certification for operating a commercial service using an autonomous navigation system.
The 5,689 gross-ton newly built full-package containership Genbu, designed for fully autonomous voyages, is also waiting for government certification to start regular commercial operations.
The Nippon Foundation Embarks on New International Initiative to Unlock the Mystery of “Dark Oxygen” by Deploying Cutting-Edge Deep-Sea Landers
Professor Andrew Sweetman of the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) remotely joins the press conference in London on January 20, 2026, about the launch of the joint international research project to unlock the mystery of “dark oxygen.”
