Antarctic explorer Shirase retires after 25 years

Antarctic exploration icebreaker Shirase called at Sydneyﾕs Garden Island navy barracks on March 20 on its final voyage before being decommissioned. The ship left Tokyo Harbour in November last year, and had journeyed via Freemantle to Showa Base in Antarctica. The crew of the Shirase was also returning to Japan following the completion of their research activities. The shipﾕs final voyage, following 25 years of such activities since 1983, marked the 49th visit to the Antarctic region by a Japanese exploration icebreaker.
Japan has been conducting Antarctic exploration for 51 years since Showa Base was established in 1957. Through the observation of natural phenomenon in the Antarctic, much has been learned about the Earthﾕs modern and ancient environments, the ecosystems of extremely cold regions and even outer space. In recent years, a particular focus of research has been global warming.