Home Procedures for Visiting Antarctica from Japan

	Antarctica is "the world's nature reserve." It is your responsibility to protect and preserve its natural environment. There is a set of prohibited activities in Antarctica* that each visitor must remember. *Based on Section 1, Article 4 of Law Relating to Protection of the Environment in Antarctica   Prohibited Activities in Antarctica (Basic Considerations)				Photograph:Charles Glover Prohibited Activities in Antarctica (Basic Considerations)
	It is required to complete application procedures in advance.   In order to protect the Antarctic environment, every visitor to Antarctica from Japan is required to complete the application procedures specified in Law Relating to Protection of the Environment in Antarctica prior to their visit.				Antarctica Law Relating to Protection of the Environment in Antarctica
	There are 2 types of application procedures.   *If you have any question, please contact the Ministry of the Environment of Japan.   The procedures required for visiting Antarctica include for visiting Antarctica include "Application for Approval of an Antarctic Activity Plan" and "Report of an Antarctic Activity Plan". Please follow one of the procedures depending on your case.   Important:     1. It is necessary to complete the application procedures in Japan when you use not only the Japanese but also foreign travel agencies.   2. It is not necessary to apply for any of the above two procedure if you are not landing in Antarctica. It is, however, required to follow the procedures when you are planning specific activities such as flying over the Antarctic Specially Protected Areas.       Application for Approval of an Antarctic Activity Plan Application for Approval of an Antarctic Activity Plan is a procedure required for those who organize activities in Antarctica. The application must be submitted to the Minister of the Environment of Japan at least 30 days prior to the departure for the Antarctica in order to obtain approval on their Antarctic Activity Plans. (Section 1, Article 5 of Law Relating to Protection of the Environment in Antarctica)   Report of an Antarctic Activity Plan   Report of an Antarctic Activity Plan is a procedure required for those who participate in activities that have received permission or other administrative treatment similar to the approval stipulated in the Parties to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty other than Japan. (Section 3, Article 5 of Law Relating to Protection of the Environment in Antarctica)				Application Procedures (Japanese) Application for Approval of an Antarctic Activity Plan (Japanese) Application for Issuance of Permits (Japanese) Parties to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty Antarctic Activity Plan Application Form
	Application for Approval or Report of an Antarctic Activity Plan   Whether you need "Application for Approval" or "Report of an Antarctic Activity Plan" depends on your activity status. If your visit to Antarctica has been certified in the Parties to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty other than Japan, please report an Antarctic Activity Plan. All other cases require the Application for Approval of an Antarctic Activity Plan.