Joint usage system for the ICRC is explained here.

The ICRC is a research center that belongs to National Institute of Polar Research (NIPR), which is a part of the Research Organization of Information and Systems (ROIS). The ROIS is an Inter-University Research Institute. As such, the ICRC is tasked with promoting and carrying out inter-university collaborations. At the same time, it is the mission of the ICRC to promote integrated, cutting-edge research. The ICRC always attempts to engage in innovative research and development as well as innovation in ice core analyses and ice drilling technologies. Based on this standpoint, we will manage joint usage of the facilities of the ICRC considering the overall management conditions of the ICRC. Once we receive a request for usage of the ICRC facilities (collaborations or otherwise), the ICRC will consider how such requests can be coordinated with the management of the ICRC. If you have such requests, please contact the academic staff of the ICRC. Several typical cases are described below.

1. General collaboration related to ice cores
If your collaboration request appears to be appropriate for the "general collaboration" of NIPR, the use of this administrative system will be recommended. In this case, the collaboration will be officially (administratively) approved, and the use of the NIPR facilities will be justified. Applications may be submitted once a year during the months of December and January. Limited funds will be provided for domestic travel costs and expenses. Please contact the academic staff of NIPR for details.

2. Graduate students who belong to universities using the facilities of the ICRC
NIPR accepts research projects by graduate students if requested and approved. Such graduate students will be referred to as "Special Collavorative Researcher".  If a request appears to be suitable, we will recommend the use of this administrative system. Once a student is approved as a Special Collaborative Researcher, he/she will be able to conduct research at NIPR under the supervision of NIPR 's academic staff. Please contact the academic staff of NIPR for details.

3. Collaboration requests for research activities using Dome Fuji deep ice cores
In order to request a collaboration using Dome Fuji ice cores, please contact the academic staff of NIPR. All research activities using Dome Fuji Ice Cores are governed by the Ice Core Consortium （ICC), which is a joint research organization for performing analysis and research on deep and shallow ice cores drilled in the framework of the Dome Fuji deep ice coring project. Collaboration plans and proposals are discussed by the ICC.

4. Collaboration requests for research activities using the other ice cores
NIPR has archives of ice cores from Antarctica, Greenland, Canada, and mountain glaciers. Please contact the academic staff of NIPR to request a collaboration using such archive ice cores.

5. Other requests for ice core analyses
Once a request is received, the status of related instruments and operators of the instruments are considered, and the ICRC will decide whether the request will be accepted. Requests that are not related to academic activities will not be accepted.

About cost share
Most analyses have expenses and operational costs. Thus, depending on the number of samples and the operational costs for the requested analysis, the ICRC will ask researchers to pay these costs. Payment can be made by providing necessary expendable supplies equivalent to the usage cost.