MEXT works on research and development in the oceans, the Earth, and the environment to respond to problems related to human existence such as resource management, and to discover the nature of unknown regions of the oceans and the Earth's interior.

- It promotes observations to gain a comprehensive understanding of the earth such as oceanographic observation using research vessels and buoys, Antarctic Observation Programs, and satellite observation.

- Japan and the U.S. lead the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program （IODP）, using deep-sea drilling vessels such as Chikyu to drill on the deep sea floor to elucidate global environmental changes, seismogenic mechanisms and the deep biosphere.