Japan has officially launched and named its latest Arctic research vessel, Mirai II, in a ceremony held on March 19, 2025, at the Isogo Plant of Japan Marine United Corporation (JMU) in Yokohama.
The ceremony was graced by the presence of Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko.
The new vessel is being constructed for the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and will take over research operations from the original Mirai vessel.
The name “Mirai II” was...