According to the Science Council of Japan, the number of open-call research voyages for marine research was more than 2009 days a year in 2010 and 1,200, but decreased to about 2013 days in 2014 and 800. In 2016, less than 500 days are planned.Of these, the number of voyage days for academic research vessels was 2004 days a year in 285, while the number of "Hakuho Maru" decreased to 2015 days and that of "Shinsei Maru" decreased to 157 days in 176.The situation is almost the same for other marine research vessels.The number of operating days of marine research vessels used for joint research other than academic research vessels in FY2015 has dropped to about half of that in FY2009. The planned number of voyage days in FY2016 is about 50 days for "Kairei" and "Yokosuka", and about 100 days for "Mirai".

　The adoption rate of open-call research voyages is steadily decreasing due to the decrease in the number of flight days. The adoption rate of "Tansei Maru" and "Shinsei Maru", which was 2013-60% until 80, has dropped to 2014-3% in the three years from 36.There is no alternative to the open recruitment for research voyages, and the rejection of the open recruitment may lead to the abandonment of research.

　The Science Council of Japan is worried that it will not be possible to develop human resources to support the maritime nation because the voyage of academic research vessels for shared use has become a place of education for graduate students.Furthermore, he is appealing to the government to secure 200 days a year for academic research vessels and 150 days for other marine research vessels, saying that it may lose Japan's global environmental research initiative.