Rika Ozaki

Growing up between the cities of Yokohama and Auckland, a future as a diver—let alone a marine scientist—was never part of Rika Ozaki’s plan. That changed after a chance encounter with an oceanic manta ray in the middle of New Zealand’s Hauraki Gulf, a moment that completely reframed her relationship with the ocean. Soon after, she discovered that critical research on manta and devil rays—particularly around their basic life history traits and distribution—was still missing. That realization became a defining turning point, clarifying the path she wanted to pursue. In 2025, Rika founded the Japan Manta Project, an initiative rooted in close collaboration with local communities and fishers to better understand the lives of manta and devil rays in Japan and translate that knowledge into meaningful, locally driven conservation.

• First manta ray surveys in Kumejima, Akajima, and Ishigaki - total of 10 individuals satellite tagged (reef and oceanic manta ray)
• First workshop held with divers and dive operators in Kumejima about manta conservation and research
• Japan Manta Project - Manta Trust affiliate in 2025

• https://www.instagram.com/japanmantaproject/