Exploring uncharted underwater environments as my life’s work, I conduct a wide range of expeditions into unexplored areas—underwater caves, deep wrecks, and mines—while also actively joining overseas projects and building a worldwide community.
Today, alongside underwater exploration, I also teach technical diving, sharing real-world field experience that can only be gained through real explorations.
南大東島
A remote island in the open sea—South Daito Island.
Many underwater limestone caves remain here that no one has ever explored, and we work in cooperation with the local community to investigate and open up these sites.
Because red soil accumulates underwater, the environment becomes extremely silty and hazardous with ease; however, breathtaking scenery that no one has ever seen spreads out within these caves.
長生炭鉱
Chousei Coal Mine in Ube City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, was a coal mine that operated until World War II. Because the mine extended beneath the seabed, it suffered a collapse and flooding of the tunnels, resulting in the deaths of 183 people.
Until now, recovering remains has been considered impossible; however, by applying the knowledge and techniques of an underwater explorer, we are working toward locating human remains.
Project
I lead an exploration and survey project called JKUEP.
JKUEP stands for Japan Karst & Underwater Exploration Project, and it conducts exploration and investigation of Japan’s unexplored underwater caves, submerged mines, shipwrecks, and more.
NHK サイエンスZERO
Focusing on the “science” aspect of South Daito Island, deeper and more scientific research based on our past investigations was featured in an educational science program.
NHK スペシャル
HK Special featured the exploration of underwater limestone caves on South Daito Island and investigations into newly discovered organisms, carried out by a team of explorers from around the world led by Yoshitaka Isaji.
Most underwater filming was conducted using 8K cameras, and the project also employed cutting-edge technologies such as photogrammetry in underwater limestone caves.
NHK フロンティア
The investigation and exploration of beautiful underwater limestone caves hidden beneath South Daito Island, Okinawa, were featured on NHK BS program “Frontier.”
Nippon News Network Document
The program “NNN Document: Aboji ga Nemuru Umi” featured the efforts involved in the diving exploration at Chousei Coal Mine.
TBS JAPAN NEWS NETWORK
TBS “Hodo Tokushu” featured Yoshitaka Isaji’s work as an underwater explorer and technical diving instructor, including the diving exploration at Chousei Coal Mine.
News / Feature Programs, etc.
And more—across various news outlets, newspapers, magazines, and columns.
The desire to explore places no one has reached before is a fundamental human impulse.
Humanity spread across the world from its origins in Africa as a result of this impulse, and I believe that pursuing frontier exploration contributes to expanding the reach of human knowledge and activity.
Rather than exploring only to satisfy my own intellectual curiosity, I also take on social activities in places that are otherwise unreachable without exploration skills.
Discovering new species at great depth, investigating subterranean groundwater systems, and even conducting rescue activities in overhead/closed environments—there are countless locations that are both valuable to investigate and impossible to reach without the techniques and knowledge we have gained.
Underwater exploration cannot be done alone.
Everyone who supports our activities, helps us, and explores alongside us is part of our team. Tackling the unexplored as a team is highly rewarding—and meaningful.
My work as a technical diving instructor is also intended to develop future team members who can explore together. I look forward to seeing new team members emerge from among my students.
Based on experience gained through exploration and the communities formed through each project, I provide technical diving training and guiding.
If you seek a more exciting experience, want to explore underwater environments in the future, or want to dive at sites pioneered by an underwater explorer, please feel free to contact us.
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