A Fruitful Collaboration: The Woods Hole-Japan Science Connection

Front Hallway

This exhibit highlights the historic 150-year relationship between marine scientists in Woods Hole and Japan—beginning with Charles O. Whitman, the first director of the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), who taught at the University of Tokyo. Also highlighted is the elaborate planning that took place in preparation for the October 4, 1975 visit of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito) to Woods Hole. A trained marine biologist, the Emperor made a special stop here to speak with scientists from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) and MBL about their research.

WHHM’s exhibit on Japan is being held in collaboration with both the Japanese print exhibit at Highfield Hall and an outdoor exhibit at Redfield Laboratory focusing on the Emperor’s interactions with WHOI and MBL scientists during his visit.

Photo: Dorothy I. Crossley, WHHM Archives, 1975