Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment, and Disaster Management (CWMD)
The Center for Water Cycle, Marine Environment, and Disaster Management (CWMD) was established in April 2017. CWMD consists
of four laboratories: the Water Resource Research Laboratory; the Marine Science Laboratory; the Disaster Mitigation Laboratory and
the Urban and Regional Design Laboratory. The Center is a leader in research and education on groundwater resources in Kumamoto,
the marine environments of the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas, disaster mitigation, and community design and participation.
Aitsu Marine Station
The Aitsu Marine Station is located where the Ariake and Yatsushiro Seas meet, at an area remarkable for its
5-meter difference in sea level at low and high tides. No other marine station is situated at a place with such a high
change in tides. Aitsu Marine Station is staffed by four people specialized in bioresource and biodiversity analysis
who conduct training and research. The station has 3 buildings: a 3-story dormitory for researchers (589 m2
), a 2-story
building for practical study (785 m2
), and a 1-story building for breeding marine creatures.
There are 2 boats: the Dolphin Super Challenger and Shiranuhi.