ROIS Final Report
Executive Summary
The Polar Environment Data Science Center (PEDSC) will become increasingly relevant as a base sourceof information for evidence-based decision making related to the Antarctic within Japan, but also for
the international community.
Areas of potential mutual engagement with Australia include:
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Virtual Database and AI;
Digital Earth Antarctica;
Data to Support Operations and Logistics;
Seabed Mapping and Marine Data;
Space Interests; andParticipating in a Staff Exchange Program with Australia

Potential challenges for the PEDSC include:••••

Lack of Dedicated Data Systems Support Staff;
Limited Co-ordination of Data Management Initiatives Across ROIS-DS;
Increasing Data Scale and Complexity and Requirements for Data Standards; andManagement of Data Collected by Japan’s New Icebreaker

Recommendations include:
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Increasing Recruitment of Dedicated Data Staff;
Clarifying Lines of Responsibility Relating to Data;
Increasing Program (whole of ROIS)-level Communication and Coordination;
Increasing Japan’s Leadership in International Fora;
Gaining World Data System CoreTrustSeal Certification; andIncreasing Digitisation of Physical Data Collections

Potential institutions for comparison include:••••

The Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AADC);The British Antarctic Survey (BAS);PANGAEA; andThe Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS)

Introduction
As part of their international advisor program, the Research Organization of Information and Systems(ROIS) invited Dr. Johnathan Kool of the Australian Antarctic Division’s Data Centre to engage withstaff at the Polar Environment Data Science Center (PEDSC) at the National Institute of Polar Research(NIPR) in Tachikawa, Tokyo. The visit was partly motivated as a result of existing engagement throughthe Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management (SCADM). The aims of the advisory role were
to develop an improved mutual understanding of data management systems and practices, with an
aim towards improved collaboration on projects and programs.

Current StatePEDSC Administrative Structure
The PEDSC is managed as part of ROIS’s Joint Support Center for Data Science Research (DS), although
it is physically located on the NIPR’s Tachikawa campus. The PEDSC is managed by Akira Kadokura(family names are ordered last in this document), and currently has a total of 6 principal researchers,
and an additional 9 concurrent researchers. Three of the staff (Akira Kadokura, Yoshimasa Tanaka,
Masayoshi Kozai) are associated with atmospheric physics/astronomy, two with geophysics/earthscience (Masaki Kanao, Jun’ichi Okuno), and one with bioscience (Kunio Takahashi). A publishedoverview of the PEDSC is available at http://doi.org/10.5334/dsj-2022-012.
The larger DS organisation is led by Professor Hiroyuki Araki. Other centers within the DS include theDatabase Center for Life Science, the Center for Social Data Structuring, the Center for Open Data in
the Humanities, the Center for Genome Informatics, and the Center for Data Assimilation Researchand Applications. There is also a Data Science Promotion Section, which is responsible for media andoutreach.
The NIPR is led by Director-General Takuji Nakamura, with Dr. Yoshifumi Nogi serving as the Vice
Director-General. The NIPR is co-located with the Institute of Statistical Mathematics, and the
National Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics (in a separate building).

PEDSC Data Storage and Infrastructure
The PEDSC maintains its data collections in different databases managed by individual programs andresearchers. For example, the terrestrial biodiversity database is maintained independently of seismic
data, or radar information. Oceanographic data is maintained separately from the NIPR by the Japan
Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) and the Japan Meteorological Agency(JMA). NIPR Data is stored on servers located on the lower floor of the NIPR building, however there
are additional servers in other areas of the building. The NIPR’s computer and networking
infrastructure are maintained by the Information and Communication Center, managed by Director
Masaki Okada. Like the Australian Antarctic Division’s ICT Section, the Information andCommunication Center is responsible for communications with stations. Video conferencing to Syowa
Station is common, and typically bandwidth out from Tachikawa is approximately 7 Mbps, and station
bandwidth is approximately 4 Mbps. Quality of Service (QoS) is organised by priority group.

Physical collections
The NIPR retains a number of physical collections relating to data and physical samples, includingcollections of meteorites collected in Antarctica, heritage items, as well as paper sheets and magnetic
tapes containing data records. Analogous to the Australian Antarctic Division’s relationship with the
National Archives of Australia, the NIPR sometimes transfers custody of items having high andenduring value to the National Archives of Japan. There is also a permanent Polar Science Museumthat displays Antarctic heritage items in a dedicated building located on the Tachikawa campus.

GIS and Remote Sensing
The NIPR’s GIS information is principally delivered through its ADS web interface(https://ads.nipr.ac.jp/antarctic-gis/). The web page delivers spatial information as download links forindividual data collections associated with metadata entries. OGC Web services for this information
have not been developed at this time. Remotely-sensed data is chiefly made available through JAXA
(e.g. G-Portal: https://gportal.jaxa.jp/gpr/?lang=en). Management of remotely-sensed data is basedon project, and has not been centralised.
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Topics of Joint Interest and Potential Collaboration (Australia-Japan)
Virtual Database and AI
The AADC is currently engaged in a program through the Centre for Antarctic and Southern Ocean
Technology (CAST) to develop ‘Virtual Database’ capability. The ‘Virtual Database’ leverages machinelearning/artificial intelligence as a tool to assist with understanding the structure and nature of data
sets. It does this by reading both metadata and data, and then attempting to interpret data content,
for example, by interpreting field header information. Data content is then linked to controlled
vocabularies (e.g., the NERC vocabulary server) so that data contents can be read and understood
through code. Having machine-readable data structure helps to provide better data discovery andinteroperability. Variables can be grouped and faceted for searching and browsing, as well as
referencing linked concepts. Similar variables (e.g., temperature) can also be transformed as required,or excluded if there is an important distinction between them. Using AI helps provide completenessand consistency for metadata, and eliminating a highly tedious and time-consuming task for data
managers.
The AI-system can be further developed to assist researchers in completing metadata associated withdata sets, prompting them for additional keywords, and potentially pre-filling sections as required. If
the system receives feedback that its suggestions are incorrect, it will update its processes to reflect
the new information.
The AADC intends to develop this capability as an open-source project. The NIPR would be free toincorporate the application into its own workflows if desired.

Digital Earth Antarctica
The AADC will be undertaking a project, in conjunction with Geoscience Australia, to develop anddeliver analysis-ready earth observation data for Antarctica. The work will leverage existing capability
developed through the Digital Earth Australia and Digital Earth Africa programs. As a platform, Digital
Earth can be used to generate a broad range of analytical products, including time-series analysis,
regional statistics, and trend detection. The technology was initially developed to use surface
reflectance data, but additional forms of data can potentially be incorporated as well (e.g., radar andlidar). As with the Virtual Database, Digital Earth technologies are open source. NIPR could either use
the platform developed by Australia to develop products, or it could develop its own platform andprocesses.

Data to Support Operations and Logistics
Both Australia and Japan have a strong interest in undertaking safe, efficient, and effective operations.
Both maintain station infrastructure and polar vessels, as well as undertaking significant cargo
operations, and both programs would benefit from overall improved situational awareness. Datainteroperability will be important for ensuring the greatest possible coverage and use of information
by international partners, and may also support new operational support capabilities (e.g. increased
telepresence).
During discussions with Dr. Gen Hashida, the importance of continued delivery of the COMNAP Asset
Tracker System (CATS) was discussed. CATS currently receives development support through the
AADC, however, presently there are no staff dedicated towards this work. Instead, work is performedon an ‘as needed’ basis. The AAD have already committed to recruiting a permanent, ongoing
Operational Mapping Support Officer, and it would be reasonable to expect that the responsibility foradministering CATS would be assigned to the individual taking on that role. Dr. Hashida agreed toraise the importance of maintaining the CATS system at an upcoming COMNAP meeting to promote
3the work. There is also an opportunity for expanding the scope of CATS to include a broader range ofassets (e.g. type and source country). Existing capability of the system allows for including assets
positioned anywhere in the region; the system only requires accurate positional information feeds.
Positional information from Japan would be welcomed.
There is also mutual interest in increased communications bandwidth to support data transfer fromthe continent, but also on the continent (e.g. inter-station transfers, wireless network support for field
programs). There may be opportunities for developing shared data networking capabilities. For
example, ships and stations could serve as nodes within a collective wireless information network,
allowing for greater shared data transfer capability from remote field devices.

Seabed Mapping and Marine Data
Seabed mapping and marine data are primarily associated with JAMSTEC. However, the NIPR and
PEDSC will need to consider how data collected from JAMSTEC’s icebreakers will be curated anddelivered, particularly given that Japan is set to be bringing a new icebreaker into service within the
span of a few years.
It will also be important to consider how Japan’s Antarctic multibeam sonar data can be integrated
into global collections in an ongoing manner. The Australian government has developed a program‘AusSeabed’ with the aims of collating, processing, and integrating Australia’s collection of seabed
information. As part of this, the project has been developing open-source technologies, which could
potentially be used by Japan, and combined with Australian information. In turn, this would
contribute to initiatives such as the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 project.

Space Interests
Japan is extensively engaged with space research through a range of scientific activities, as well as
collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). In addition to the aforementioned
research on meteorites (including samples retrieved by Hayabusa 2), Japanese researchers areengaged with ionospheric measurements, drone research for retrieving lunar samples, and space
weather measurements, among others. There is a strong and clear intersection between spaceresearch and the activities of the NIPR, and there is considerable scope for the AAD to learn from thestrengths of these programs.
From JAXA, there was strong interest in joint participation if Australia were to develop earth
observation ground station capability at one of its stations. There are also potential opportunities forjoint field observation programs to support calibration and validation of satellite observations. The
Group on Earth Observations (GEO) may provide a forum for focused development of joint
requirements, or alternatively the SCAR Open Science Conference in 2024, and the AAD’s Remote
Sensing Data Manager has now joined the Group on Earth Observation’s Cold Regions Initiative group(GEOCRI).

Potential Challenges for ROIS-DS and the PEDSC
Lack of dedicated data systems support staff
PEDSC staff are both qualified and highly capable, however most are associated with a science
research background as opposed to having a dedicated IT or data management background. There
are significant challenges relating to data system design and management that require training andexperience in order to take full advantage of modern best-practice solutions. Currently, PEDSC staff
must balance progressing research goals with the development of data systems and associatedmanagement responsibility. The PEDSC would benefit considerably from having staff whose sole4

function would lie in developing and maintaining data systems. Rather than focusing on a researchdomain, corporate staff should exist whose purpose it would be to think about system-level designand delivery. Dedicated software developers and engineers would be required to implement
solutions, and in turn, some form of project management capability may be required to ensure thattasks are proceeding according to schedule.

Limited co-ordination of data management initiatives across ROIS-DS
Although there is active communication between different projects and programs within the NIPR and
ROIS, there are opportunities for improved coordination. For example, IUGONet, AMIDER (part of
PEDSC), and the ADS (managed within NIPR) share similar objectives relating to improved datadelivery, but appear to have been progressing independently. Each project has its own individual
value, but coordinating their development would likely deliver even greater value. Similarly, there
could be strong value in having greater mutual visibility among programs within ROIS. For example,
solutions developed for social data by the Social Data Structuring Center, for genetic data by the
Genome Data Analysis Support Center, and especially biological data by the Life Science Integrated
Database Center, could all be of potential relevance to the PEDSC. Similarly, the nearby National
Institute for Japanese Language and Linguistics might have some tools and techniques relating tonatural language processing and data mining from documents. The PEDSC and all of ROIS stands togain considerably in terms of productivity and efficiency from increased internal communications andengagement.

Increasing Data Scale and Complexity and Requirements for Data Standards
As PEDSC’s data collections continue to expand in terms of size and complexity, it will become
increasingly important to develop ways of ensuring that the data are interoperable and consistent.
Currently, the PEDSC’s information is maintained in separate databases associated with individual
projects and research programs. Distributed data management can be an effective approach, but it
will require increased attention to the use of standard naming (controlled vocabularies), and wellunderstood (ideally, machine readable) data structures and formats. Interoperability requirements
would also potentially extend to data feeds from Japanese sensors located at Australian stations.

Management of Data Collected by Japan’s New Icebreaker
As part of commissioning it’s new icebreaker RSV Nuyina, the AAD identified a need to develop strong
processes relating to the collection and curation of data from this state-of-the-art asset. Nuyina
represented a step-change in terms of capability, with commensurate increases in the volume anddiversity of information relative to its predecessor, RSV Aurora Australis. Currently, Japan is in theprocess of building its own new icebreaker, and will likely be facing similar challenges. Although thevessel is being managed by JAMSTEC, the PEDSC should consider how it will be accessing this data,and presenting requirements to ensure interoperability with its systems and other data collections.

Participating in a Staff Exchange Program with Australia
There are a number of opportunities for technical exchange, particularly relating to engineering androbotics. Japan’s development of super-pressure balloons as a platform for sensor monitoring would
be an area of potential collaboration, as would Improvements in GNSS availability and positioning
capability (as developed by Jun’ichi Okuno). Additional exchange opportunities could include shared
mapping opportunities under Australia’s East Antarctic Mapping Program, or staff exchanges aboard
icebreakers.

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Recommendations
Increase Recruitment of Dedicated Data Staff
ROIS should consider resourcing additional staff at the PEDSC with the sole responsibility of developing
and managing data systems. If some sort of research focus is essential, then the focus of this researchshould be data science. Their primary focus should be thinking at a ‘system’ level, rather thanspecialising in a particular scientific domain or application. To support this work, dedicated staff would
also be needed to develop data infrastructure (i.e. data ‘engineers’), data interfaces (web services anddelivery systems), and undertake general software coding and data management tasks. At aminimum, one high-level dedicated data manager should be recruited, along with a team of 2-3 dataengineers/software developers. Ideally, this number could be increased to include data records
managers (responsible for low-level file management), and additional data infrastructure staff asrequired to scale appropriately.

Clarify of lines of responsibility relating to data
As the responsibilities of the PEDSC increase, it will become increasingly important to develop clear
lines of responsibility for different individuals and groups within the PEDSC, NIPR, and ROIS-DS. It may
be worthwhile developing a concrete Data Policy document that includes roles and responsibilities –which is what has been done in the AADC. Similarly, it may be useful to develop a Data Strategy
document that details the current technology and data delivery landscape within the PEDSC, as well
as a roadmap for moving forward into the future. As part of developing these documents, a diagramof responsibilities could be developed highlighting the different components of ROIS and external
partners (e.g. JAMSTEC, JAXA) to provide a better understanding of interdependencies, and to assist
in streamlining data delivery systems.

Increased Program-level Communication and Coordination
The PEDSC should consider mechanisms for increasing engagement with other data groups within
ROIS, as well as moving towards more strategic, program-level interaction with other government
agencies such as JAMSTEC and JAXA. Currently, engagement appears to take place at the level ofproject, but a broader program-scale (i.e. PEDSC – Life Science Integrated Database Center)coordination should also be considered. Mechanisms for increasing data connectedness andinteroperability should be considered, including identifying common standards such as controlled
vocabulary terms and open data formats.
Also relating to communication and coordination, the PEDSC should begin engaging with JAMSTEC to
identify roles and responsibilities relating to data pipelines for Japan’s new icebreaker. Even if all datacollection and management aboard the vessel will be handled solely by JAMSTEC, a mechanism shouldstill be developed for ensuring that data are findable and accessible through the PEDSC.

Increase Japan’s Leadership in International Fora
Although Japan and the PEDSC have strong engagement with the international community, there areopportunities for increased leadership opportunities on the international stage. Japan has a strong
reputation internationally, particularly through its prior hosting of the World Data System program,and is well-placed as a key country in the Asia-Pacific Region. Individuals who are able to take onleadership roles at the international level should be developed and supported, and this may also
require allowing for dedicated time to fulfil these responsibilities rather than being on top of existing
workloads. Potential examples could include assuming leadership roles within the Standing
Committee for Geographic Information (SCAGI) under SCAR or the Southern Ocean Observing System(SOOS), among others.
6Gain World Data System CoreTrustSeal Certification
Especially in light of Japan’s long-standing connection with the World Data System (WDS), the PEDSC
should follow through with its plans to seek formal CoreTrustSeal Certification. The process of going
through the accreditation will help the PEDSC identify concrete steps to conform with current
international best practices, and will serve as independent confirmation of the stability and securityof its systems.

Increase Digitisation of physical data collections
Although the NIPR has abundant physical space for storing collections, over time, the magnetic tapewill be at risk of physical degradation, in addition to decreasing availability of hardware capable ofreading the media. ROIS should consider increasing support for digitising its physical archive. Not
only would this have the benefit of preventing potential data loss, but it would also increase theaccessibility and interoperability of the archived information. Furthermore, less space would be
required to maintain the collection, and it would be consolidated with other digital assets.

Potential institutions for comparison
With regards to data management, different institutions will have different needs based on their
mission, size, complexity, and growth trajectory. For example, the AADC does not have the same
research focus that the PEDSC does, nor does it have the requirement to have an Arctic focus as wellas Antarctic.
Although a number of organisations can be presented as examples of good data management practicefor the PEDSC, it is important to recognise that there may be very good reasons for the PEDSC to adopt
and maintain its own particular style of data management according to its needs. Bearing this in mind,
a list of some potential benchmark organizations is provided below.

The Australian Antarctic Data Centre (AADC)
The AADC currently has over 25 staff, having recently increased its number following a sustainablefunding review. The AADC is composed of 3 principal sections – Mapping & GIS, Infrastructure &Applications, and Information Management. The Mapping & GIS section is responsible for not only
data and map delivery, but also coordinating all aspects of mapping and surveying programs in
Antarctica. Infrastructure & Applications are responsible for software and systems engineering tosupport online delivery of data. Information Management is responsible for the AAD library, records
management, and handling of data from RSV Nuyina.

The British Antarctic Survey (BAS)BAS have a strong reputation for data delivery, including the successful delivery of their new BEDMAP
products. At Halley Research Station, BAS have installed a number of automated scientific containersthat can be remotely operated. Emulating this capability has been an area of interest for the AADC.

PANGAEA
Pangaea also has a very strong reputation for data delivery as well as ease of use. Their website is
well-organised, and contains a large, diverse, and comprehensive collection of data sets.

Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS)
Although OBIS only handles marine biological information, it handles a broad variety of information
at a global scale. OBIS is also tightly integrated with the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS),
which provides well-controlled taxonomic names.

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Other potential institutions to note are the Istituto di Scienze Polari of Italy, who have been making
significant strides to improve their data delivery systems, and similarly, the Swiss Polar Institute.

Dr. Johnathan Kool
Australian Antarctic Data Centre Manager
Australian Antarctic Division, Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water
203 Channel Highway, Kingston, TAS 7050

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