REPORT ON OCEANOGRAPHY 15 



of the time was devoted to teaching and to training young Indonesians 

 out of college, who wished to become assistant marine biologists. The 

 result proved to be heartening, 



JAPAN ; i 



This island nation with its dense population is actually dependent 

 upon the sea for its existence. It is not surprising, therefore, that the 

 science of oceanography has received more encouragement to develop 

 here than in any other country of the Pacific area. Courses are offered 

 in the various phases of oceanography in many universities and much 

 fundamental, basic research has been conducted by professors in these 

 institutions. 



Japan has approached oceanography from the standpoint of fish- 

 eries, meteorology, and hydrography, and all investigations and observa- 

 tions have been coordinated by a Marine Research Council. All fish- 

 eries resources are receiving intensive study. The Meteorological Ser- 

 vice makes numerous daily records of the sea water temperatures. The 

 Hydrographic Office and Maritime Safety Agency is concerned with the 

 charting of the seas and coasts, the tides, tidal currents, and tsunamis. 

 The considerable resources of each agency are available to the others 

 through the coordination council. 



There are eight Fisheries Research Institutions, the Hydrographic 

 office, and five principal Meteorological observatories, and at least ten 

 research ships. Each department has a series of journals which provide 

 for publication of data, researches, and studies. 



In addition to these observing and applied research groups, the 

 theoretical aspects are studied in the Geographical Institute, and in se- 

 veral universities. The Oceanographical Society of Japan provides a 

 meeting place for the scientists and publishes a technical quarterly jour- 

 nal. 



Japanese oceanographers are studying the behaviour of the north 

 flowing warm Kuroshio and the south flowing cold Oyashio, which are 

 the dominant currents among the ocean currents. The advance of the 

 Kuroshio in the summer, its retreat in winter, and its meandering are 

 complementary to the Oyashio's. 



A similar balance of currents occurs in the Sea of Japan, but with 

 different emphasis on the cold and warm water masses. This cold 

 water on the Pacific side may be invaded by warm water through Tsugaru 

 Straits. These circulations are dominated by seasons and winds, and 

 the coastal regions are modified by tides. Oceanographers are describing 

 the character and behaviour of these water masses, which are of major 

 concern to the fisheries and climate of Japan. 



