Shinkai

Shinkai is a Japanese term meaning "deep sea," written with the kanji for "deep" and "sea" (深海). The word is used in marine science contexts and in various proper names, reflecting Japan’s long engagement with oceanography. It also appears in the naming of equipment and projects associated with deep-ocean exploration.

In technology and exploration, Shinkai is notably associated with the Shinkai 6500, a Japanese manned deep-submergence vehicle operated by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC). Capable of reaching depths of 6,500 meters, it has supported research across biology, geology, and chemistry, including exploration of hydrothermal vent ecosystems. The Shinkai fleet represents Japan’s ongoing investment in deep-sea science and underwater robotics.

As a surname, Shinkai is borne by individuals in Japan. The best known internationally is Makoto Shinkai (born 1973), a filmmaker and animator whose works include Your Name (2016) and Weathering with You (2019). His storytelling often centers on themes of time, distance, and the emotional resonance of place, accompanied by distinctive, painterly animation and meteorological imagery.