- 01/06/2026
- 2:00 pm
- United Nations University, Tokyo, Japan 2026 年６月１日 14時 国連大学「ウ・タント国際会議場」（（日本、東京）
– By combining knowledge, experience, and innovation, we can strengthen Japan–Norway cooperation and contribute to solutions in one of the most strategically important regions of our time, the Arctic. This was said by our Executive Director, Anu Fredrikson, at the opening of the “Collaboration Across the Arctic Ocean” seminar held in Tokyo, June 1st 2026.
Over 300 people attended the Japan-Norway Arctic seminar made in collaboration with the Norwegian Embassy in Tokyo and the United Nations University.
During the seminar, the Norwegian Polar Institute and Japan’s National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR) signed a memorandum of understanding, formalising decades of collaboration in the Arctic and Antarctica. The partnership includes joint research in Ny‑Ålesund and cooperation in the international RINGS project, led by the Norwegian Polar Institute.
– The agreement strengthens our long-standing collaboration and provides a strong foundation for future polar research, says Camilla Brekke, Director of the Norwegian Polar Institute.
Panel 1: Observations for a Safer Ocean
Surveillance of the ocean surface has benefits for research, governance and businesses. The intersection between research and business is blooming in the ocean sector, with various Norwegian organizations at the forefront of using technology and satellites for the benefit of oceans and ocean users. With shipping in the Arctic increasing, more focus on detection, monitoring and logistics is needed. In addition, detection of oil spills and environmental monitoring of ecosystems and coastlines will need to be enhanced. The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) has now launched Japan’s first ice breaker dedicated to research, which will allow a wider field of observations, immersive fieldwork in the Arctic and enhanced collaboration towards the IPY-5. The first research voyage is planned for 2027, with more concrete plans coming to fruition.
On this panel, we gathered experts in ocean observations, from both a research and business perspective, to investigate the latest technological developments and applications in the Arctic oceans.
Panel 2: Ocean and Arctic Security
The Arctic is vast, and the geopolitical situation in the Pacific Arctic is quite different to that of the Atlantic Arctic. Ocean governance and frameworks help to maintain collaboration and secure the Arctic, but these are being tested. In 2023, Japan adopted the Fourth Basic Plan on Ocean Policy, which includes overhauling their ocean policy regarding maritime security and increasing their international competitiveness within maritime industries. Dual-use technologies, where infrastructure is shared across sectors such as defense and research, can also serve as a tool for sharing funding and accelerating technological development. Additional avenues for collaboration between Norway and Japan are therefore envisioned within security, governance and business development.
Speakers
Program
Executive Director of Arctic Frontiers and moderator, Anu Fredrikson
アヌ・フレドリクソン（北極フロンティアーズ事務局長）
Between the Norwegian Polar Institute and the National Institute of Polar Research Japan.
ノルウェー極地研究所と国立極地研究所（日本）による覚書署名
Participants / 登壇者：
- Dr. Camilla Brekke, Director of the Norwegian Polar Institute /カミラ・ブレッケ（ノルウェー極地研究所 所長）
- Dr. Yoshifumi Nogi, Director-General of Japan’s National Institute of Polar Research /野木義史（国立極地研究所 所長）
Moderator / モデレーター：
Anu Fredrikson, Executive Director, Arctic Frontiers
アヌ・フレドリクソン（北極フロンティアーズ事務局長）
Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy, Marianne Sivertsen Næss, Norway
ノルウェー漁業・海洋政策大臣 マリアンネ・シーヴェットセン・ネス
Participants / 登壇者
- Kjell Stokvik, Director, Centre for High North Logistics, Nord University, Norway /キェル・ストックヴィク（ノルド大学 北部物流センター所長）
- Marte Indregard, CEO, KSAT – Kongsberg Satellite Service, Norway /マルテ・インドレゴール（KSAT／コングスベルグ・サテライト・サービシズ CEO）
- Dr. Takashi Kikuchi, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Japan /菊地隆（海洋研究開発機構 地球環境研究部門 北極環境変動研究センター センター長）
- Dr. Jun Ono, National Institute of Polar Research, Japan /小野純（国立極地研究所 研究員）
Moderator / モデレーター
Anu Fredrikson, Executive Director, Arctic Frontiers
アヌ・フレドリクソン（北極フロンティアーズ事務局長）
髙橋 克彦
特命全権大使（国際貿易・経済担当、北極担当、WPS（女性・平和・安全保障））担当
Participants / 登壇者
- Dr. Wrenn Yennie Lindgren, Senior Researcher, NUPI – Norwegian Institute of International Affairs レン・イェニー・リンドグレン（ノルウェー国際問題研究所 上席研究員）
- Andreas Flåm, Vice Minister of Defence, Norwayアンドレアス・フロム ノルウェー国防副大臣
- Alexandra Koefoed,
EVP Digital & Emerging, Kongsberg Maritime
- Dr. Atsushi Sunami, President, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, Japan 角南篤（笹川平和財団 理事長）
- Dr. Taisaku Ikeshima, Professor of International Law, Waseda University, Tokyo 池島大策 早稲田大学国際学術院国際教養学部教授
Moderator / モデレーター
Anu Fredrikson, Executive Director, Arctic Frontiers
アヌ・フレドリクソン（北極フロンティアーズ事務局長）
Partners
