On this day, 28 years ago, on June 23, 1997 (May 19, 1997, the Japanese explorer Mitsuro Oba completed the feat of crossing the Arctic Ocean. Japanese explorer Mitsuro Oba On June 23, 1997, Japanese explorer Mitsuro Oba completed the feat of crossing the Arctic Ocean and became the first person to cross the Arctic Ocean on foot alone. Since 1994, the 44-year-old Ochang has tried to cross the Arctic Ocean on foot three times, but had to stop before reaching the North Pole. To this end, he froze off two fingers and all toes. But he was not discouraged. On February 23, 1997, he set out from Russia's Northern Islands and attacked his target again. On the way, he went through many hardships. Flowing ice once forced him to retreat more than a hundred kilometers. Once supplies failed to keep up, he lived on water and salt alone for four days. On the morning of the 23rd, after 122 days and a journey of 1730 kilometers, he finally crossed the North Pole and arrived at Ellesmere Island in Canada.