Japan’s diving scene used to be a well-kept secret, but more and more people have realised that Japan has much more to offer than just sushi and karaoke. The country spans a vast latitudinal range, from the tropical south where coral reefs dominate around Okinawa and the other Ryukyu Islands, into the almost subarctic north. As a result, its biological diversity is great, with many different habitats accommodating a wide array of species.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the dates of the Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE) have been changed to 4 – 6 December 2020. As a result, the final submission date for the Lens Beyond Ocean (LBO) international photo competition, which is hosted by MIDE, has been extended to 1 November 2020.