In Japanese, the name "Shirase" is written in hiragana.[2] Due to a JMSDF internal naming rule, an icebreaker must be named after a place.[3] Accordingly, Shirase was named after the Shirase Glacier.[2] This glacier bears the family name of Lieutenant Nobu Shirase, a Japanese pioneer in Antarctic exploration.[4]
In February 2013, the anti-whaling group Sea Shepherd Conservation Society claimed the Shirase was sent to monitor its interference with the Japanese cetacean research fleet.[5] However, according to the National Institute of Polar Research, the icebreaker was in fact far to the west off the coast of Antarctica near the Showa Base, at the time.[6] The Japanese government subsequently confirmed that the vessel was not involved in any operation related to the whaling program,[7] and that Sea Shepherd's claims were "completely fake".[8]
On 17 February 2014, the Shirase ran aground just off the unmanned Molodyozhnaya Station in Antarctica. While the outer hull was penetrated, the vessel was in no danger of sinking and no fuel oil leakage was reported.[9]
^ ab砕氷艦「しらせ」除籍記念特集サイト [Special site memorializing retired icebreaker "Shirase"] (in Japanese). Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Retrieved 10 February 2010.[permanent dead link]
^世界有数の砕氷船「しらせ」 [The world's foremost icebreaker "Shirase"] (in Japanese). National Institute of Polar Research. p. 1. Retrieved 10 February 2010.[permanent dead link]
^遠藤知子 (November 2003). 南極観測船しらせ(晴海埠頭) [Antarctic observation ship Shirase (Harumi Pier)] (in Japanese). Akita Prefecture. Archived from the original on 12 February 2007. Retrieved 10 February 2010.