Originally established as a centre of research into marine biology in temperate-subtropical Japan, the Amakusa Marine Biological Laboratory has now expanded its sphere of research interests to include a wide area of ecological and biodiversity studies on both aquatic and terrestrial systems. It undertakes research and education with strong international commitment and global perspectives.

In this Laboratory all scientific seminars and lectures are conducted in English and students are required to present talks and write reports/papers in English. Foreign visitors often find the congenial and open atmosphere of the Lab very refreshing and we have students from different parts of the world.