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Icebreaker Shirase off Japan Antarctic base

The Japanese icebreaker Shirase arrives at the closest point to Japan's Syowa Station in the Antarctic on Dec. 27, 2025. (Photo by accompanying journalist)

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Icebreaker Shirase off Japan Antarctic base

The Japanese icebreaker Shirase arrives at the closest point to Japan's Syowa Station (back, L) in the Antarctic on Dec. 27, 2025. (Photo by accompanying journalist)

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Icebreaker Shirase off Japan Antarctic base

The Japanese icebreaker Shirase arrives at the closest point to Japan's Syowa Station (back, L) in the Antarctic on Dec. 27, 2025. (Photo by accompanying journalist)

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New Japanese Antarctic expedition team arrives at base

Members (R) of the 67th Japanese Antarctic research expedition are greeted by members of the 66th expedition at Japan's Syowa Station in Antarctica on Dec. 25, 2025, upon their arrival via helicopter from the Japanese icebreaker Shirase. (Photo by accompanying journalist)

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67th Japanese Antarctic observation team

Members of the 67th Japanese Antarctic observation team pose for a photo at Narita airport near Tokyo on Dec. 4, 2025, before flying to Perth, Australia. The icebreaker Shirase carrying the members will depart a local Australian port on Dec. 8, reaching Japan's Syowa Station in the Antarctic in early January. (Photo by accompanying journalist)

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Icebreaker Shirase

Members of a Japanese Antarctic research expedition aboard the icebreaker Shirase collect water off Totten Glacier in the Southern Ocean on March 24, 2025, to measure the melting of ice in the area. (Photo taken by accompanied journalist)

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Icebreaker Shirase

Members of a Japanese Antarctic research expedition aboard the icebreaker Shirase collect water off Totten Glacier in the Southern Ocean on March 6, 2025, to measure the melting of ice in the area. (Photo taken by accompanied journalist)

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Icebreaker Shirase

Members of a Japanese Antarctic research expedition aboard the icebreaker Shirase collect water off Totten Glacier in the Southern Ocean on March 6, 2025, to measure the melting of ice in the area.

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Icebreaker Shirase

Members of a Japanese Antarctic research expedition aboard the icebreaker Shirase collect water off Totten Glacier in the Southern Ocean on March 6, 2025, to measure the melting of ice in the area. (Photo taken by accompanied journalist)

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Icebreaker Shirase arrives in Australian port city

The Japanese icebreaker Shirase, carrying members of Antarctic research expeditions, is set to arrive in Fremantle, Australia, on Feb. 23, 2025, after completing a mission in Antarctica. The teams will fly out of the Australian port city on Feb. 24 to return to Japan. (Photo taken by accompanied journalist)

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Icebreaker Shirase arrives in Australian port city

The Japanese icebreaker Shirase, carrying members of Antarctic research expeditions, is set to arrive in Fremantle, Australia, on Feb. 23, 2025, after completing a mission in Antarctica. The teams will fly out of the Australian port city on Feb. 24 to return to Japan. (Photo taken by accompanied journalist)

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Icebreaker Shirase arrives in Australian port city

The Japanese icebreaker Shirase, carrying members of Antarctic research expeditions, is set to arrive in Fremantle, Australia, on Feb. 23, 2025, after completing a mission in Antarctica. The teams will fly out of the Australian port city on Feb. 24 to return to Japan. (Photo taken by accompanied journalist)

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Aurora in Antarctica

An aurora is observed by the crew of the Japanese icebreaker Shirase in Antarctica in February of 2025. (Photo taken by accompanied journalist)

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Aurora in Antarctica

An aurora is observed by the crew of the Japanese icebreaker Shirase in Antarctica in early February of 2025. (Photo taken by accompanied journalist)

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Shirase icebreaker in Antarctic Sea

Photo taken Dec. 31, 2024, shows the Japanese icebreaker Shirase off Japan's Syowa Station in Antarctica.

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Shirase icebreaker in Antarctic Sea

Photo taken Dec. 31, 2024, shows the Japanese icebreaker Shirase off Japan's Syowa Station in Antarctica.

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Japanese icebreaker Shirase

The Japanese icebreaker Shirase leaves the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Nov. 20, 2024, for an expedition to Antarctica.

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Shirase icebreaker leaves for Antarctica

The Japanese icebreaker Shirase leaves the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Yokosuka base in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on Nov. 20, 2024, for an expedition to Antarctica.

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Shirase icebreaker in Yokosuka

The icebreaker Shirase returns to Yokosuka port in Kanagawa Prefecture, eastern Japan, on April 8, 2024, after an expedition to Antarctica.

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Antarctic expedition by Japan

Japanese Antarctic observation ship, the icebreaker Shirase, is set to anchor at Japan's Syowa Station in the Antarctic on Dec. 25, 2023. (Pool photo)

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Antarctic expedition by Japan

Japanese Antarctic observation ship, the icebreaker Shirase, is set to anchor at Japan's Syowa Station in the Antarctic on Dec. 25, 2023. (Pool photo)

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Antarctic expedition by Japanese team

Gen Hashimoto (L), head of the 65th Japanese Antarctic research expedition, Kazuo Higuchi (C), head of the 64th team, and research ship Shirase's captain Kazuki Saito pose for a photo at Japan's Syowa Station in the Antarctic on Dec. 20, 2023, after a helicopter carrying the 65th members arrived there from the research vessel.

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Antarctic expedition by Japanese team

Part of the 65th Japanese Antarctic research expedition are greeted by members (L) of the 64th expedition at Japan's Syowa Station in Antarctica on Dec. 20, 2023 upon their arrival via helicopter from the Japanese icebreaker Shirase.

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Japanese icebreaker ship plows through Antarctic

Japanese Antarctic observation ship, the icebreaker Shirase, plows through settled ice in the Antarctic on Dec. 16, 2023, carrying Japan's 65th Antarctic expedition team. The ship is expected to anchor at the closest point to Japan's Showa base in the Antarctic later this month. (Pool photo)

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Japanese icebreaker ship plows through Antarctic

Japanese Antarctic observation ship, the icebreaker Shirase, plows through settled ice in the Antarctic on Dec. 16, 2023, carrying Japan's 65th Antarctic expedition team. The ship is expected to anchor at the closest point to Japan's Showa base in the Antarctic later this month. (Pool photo)

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Icebreaker Shirase approaches Showa Station in Antarctica

ANTARCTIC SEA, Dec. 20 Kyodo - Adelie penguins are seen walking about 200 meters from Japan's icebreaker Shirase in the Antarctic Sea. The ship carrying Japan's Antarctic research team was about 90 kilometers from Showa Station, a Japanese permanent research station in the Antarctica.

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Japanese icebreaker Shirase leaves for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese icebreaker Shirase leaves Tokyo's Harumi Pier on Nov. 11, 2014, for Showa Station to assist the Antarctic research expedition, while family members of the crew see the ship off.

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Japanese icebreaker departs for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese icebreaker Shirase leaves Harumi Wharf in Tokyo Bay on Nov. 8, 2013, for Antarctica to support Japan's 55th expedition team to be deployed there.

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Japanese icebreaker departs for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Japanese icebreaker Shirase sailing near the Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo Bay on Nov. 8, 2013, shortly after its departure from Harumi Wharf for Antarctica on a mission to support the country's 55th expedition team to be deployed there.

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Japanese icebreaker departs for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Japanese icebreaker Shirase passing under the Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo Bay on Nov. 8, 2013, shortly after its departure from Harumi Wharf for Antarctica on a mission to support the country's 55th expedition team to be deployed there.

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Japanese icebreaker departs for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows the Japanese icebreaker Shirase passing under the Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo Bay on Nov. 8, 2013, shortly after its departure from Harumi Wharf for Antarctica on a mission to support the country's 55th expedition team to be deployed there.

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Aurora over Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken around 1:20 a.m. on Feb. 24, 2013, shows an aurora over the Japanese icebreaker Shirase sailing in the Antarctic Sea. (Pool photo by Kyodo News)

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Icebreaker in Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese icebreaker Shirase is blocked by sea ice off Japan's Showa Base in Antarctica on Jan. 8, 2013. Japan's science ministry said on Jan. 11 that the icebreaker had failed to dock at the Showa Base for the second year in a row due to snow and thick ice. (Pool photo by a Kyodo News reporter traveling with Japan's Antarctic expedition team)

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Japanese expedition team in Antarctica

SHOWA BASE, Antarctica - Kentaro Watanabe (L), leader of Japan's latest expedition team, hands supplies to a wintering team at Showa Base in Antarctica on Dec. 19, 2012. At center is Hiroki Matsuda, captain of the icebreaker Shirase. The 54th expedition team arrived at the continent, joining the wintering team. (Pool photo by a Kyodo News reporter traveling with the 54th expedition team)

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Japanese icebreaker Shirase departs for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese icebreaker Shirase leaves Harumi Wharf in Tokyo Bay on Nov. 11, 2012, for Antarctica to support Japan's 54th expedition team to be deployed there. The 12,650-ton vessel was unable to dock at Japan's Showa Base the previous year, blocked by snow and thick ice, for the first time since 1994, meaning the expedition team had to reach the Antarctic base by air and land.

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Japanese icebreaker Shirase departs for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese icebreaker Shirase leaves Harumi Wharf in Tokyo Bay on Nov. 11, 2012, for Antarctica to support Japan's 54th expedition team to be deployed there. The 12,650-ton vessel was unable to dock at Japan's Showa Base the previous year, blocked by snow and thick ice, for the first time since 1994, meaning the expedition team had to reach the Antarctic base by air and land.

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Japan's Icebreaker Shirase departs for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Japanese icebreaker the Shirase passing under the Rainbow Bridge in Tokyo Bay on Nov. 11, 2011, shortly after its departure from Harumi Wharf for Antarctica on a mission to support the country's 53rd expedition team to be deployed there. The 12,650-ton Shirase also plans to help break the ice near Australia's Antarctic Mawson Base in response to the Australian government's request to secure supply routes.

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Japan's Icebreaker Shirase departs for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese icebreaker the Shirase leaves Harumi Wharf in Tokyo Bay on Nov. 11, 2011, for Antarctica on a mission to support the country's 53rd expedition team to be deployed there. The 12,650-ton Shirase also plans to help break the ice near Australia's Antarctic Mawson Base in response to the Australian government's request to secure supply routes.

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Japan's Icebreaker Shirase departs for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - A crew member of Japanese icebreaker the Shirase bids farewell to his family on board the 12,650-ton vessel on Nov. 11, 2011, shortly before leaving Harumi Wharf in Tokyo Bay for Antarctica on a mission to support the country's 53rd expedition team to be deployed there. The Shirase also plans to help break the ice near Australia's Antarctic Mawson Base in response to the Australian government's request to secure supply routes.

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Aurora over Antarctica

ABOARD THE SHIRASE, Antarctic Sea - An aurora is observed from the Japanese icebreaker Shirase in the Antarctic Sea on Feb. 22, 2011. (Pool photo)

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Aurora over Antarctica

ABOARD THE SHIRASE, Antarctic Sea - An aurora is observed from the Japanese icebreaker Shirase in the Antarctic Sea on Feb. 22, 2011. (Pool photo)

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Shirase reaches Showa Base in Antarctic

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's icebreaker Shirase makes its way through the Antarctic ice sheet on Dec. 31, 2010. The 12,650-ton icebreaker, which is on a mission to support an Antarctic observation expedition, reached the offshore waters of the country's Showa Base in the Antarctic the same day. (Pool photo)

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Shirase reaches Showa Base in Antarctic

TOKYO, Japan - Japan's icebreaker Shirase makes its way through the Antarctic ice sheet on Dec. 23, 2010. The 12,650-ton icebreaker, which is on a mission to support an Antarctic observation expedition, reached the offshore waters of the country's Showa Base in the Antarctic on Dec. 31, 2010. (Pool photo)

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Adelie penguins in Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - Adelie penguins march in a line across ice near the Japanese icebreaker Shirase in the Antarctic Sea on Dec. 26, 2010. (Pool photo)

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Japanese expedition teams at Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - Members of Japan's 51st wintering team and 52nd Antarctic observation expedition team celebrate their reunion at Showa Base in Antarctic on Dec. 23, 2010. The 52nd team boarding the icebreaker Shirase delivered supplies and packages containing letters from families to the 51st team by helicopter, after the icebreaker reached a point about 20 kilometers from the base.

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Blue flash seen on setting sun in Antarctic Sea

TOKYO, Japan - A blue flash appears as the sun sets on the horizon in the Antarctic Sea on Dec. 12, 2010. Such a blue flash is considered even rarer than the green flash that was also seen that day. The photo was taken by a reporter traveling with a Japanese Antarctic expedition team aboard the icebreaker Shirase. (Pool photo)

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Green flash seen on setting sun in Antarctic Sea

TOKYO, Japan - A green flash appears as the sun sets on the horizon in the Antarctic Sea on Dec. 12, 2010. There is a saying that those who have seen this green flash will be happy. The photo was taken by a reporter traveling with a Japanese Antarctic expedition team aboard the icebreaker Shirase. (Pool photo)

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Green flash seen on setting sun in Antarctic Sea

TOKYO, Japan - A green flash appears on the upper rim of the sun setting on the horizon in the Antarctic Sea on Dec. 12, 2010. There is a saying that those who have seen this green flash will be happy. The photo was taken by a reporter traveling with a Japanese Antarctic expedition team aboard the icebreaker Shirase. (Pool photo)

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Icebreaker Shirase leaves for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese icebreaker Shirase leaves Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2010, for a mission in Antarctica. The icebreaker of the Maritime Self-Defense Force is expected to arrive at Japan's Showa Station in Antarctica around late December to help the country's observation expedition.

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Icebreaker Shirase leaves for Antarctica

TOKYO, Japan - The Japanese icebreaker Shirase leaves Tokyo on Nov. 11, 2010, for a mission in Antarctica. The icebreaker of the Maritime Self-Defense Force is expected to arrive at Japan's Showa Station in Antarctica around late December to help the country's observation expedition.