National Institute of Polar Research, Research institute and open-access publisher in Tachikawa, Japan
The National Institute of Polar Research is a Japanese research facility in Tachikawa that studies polar regions and publishes its findings openly. It runs observation stations in the Arctic and Antarctic to collect data about ice, climate, and wildlife.
It was established in 1973 and became Japan's main facility for polar research. The institute has been managing multiple observation stations since then, including Showa Station in Antarctica.
The Polar Science Museum helps people learn how researchers work in extreme environments and why the polar regions matter for our planet. Visitors can see how this work connects Japan to global scientific efforts.
The Polar Science Museum is easy to reach and displays polar research through interactive exhibits. Plan enough time to walk through the different sections and examine the collections at a comfortable pace.
An asteroid has been named after the institute since 2018 in honor of its scientific achievements. This naming reflects the global recognition of Japan's polar research contributions.
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