Oceanographic Activities for Climate in the Japan Meteorological Agency
Teruko Manabe
Climate and Marine Department
Japan Meteorological Agency
1. Introduction
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is responsible, as the national Meteorological Service, for contributing to the improvement of public welfare including prevention and mitigation of natural disasters, safety of transportation and prosperity of industry. In its marine activities, it has been undertaking observation, data collection and services of information related to oceanography and marine meteorology.
Considering the effect of El Nino on Japan, the El Nino Monitoring Center was established in JMA in 1994. These days, climate issue has been one of major concerns in the world and it is recognized that the ocean plays an important role in the climate system. In accordance with this, the JMA reorganization was implemented on 1 July 1996. One of the major changes is that the Marine Department has become the Climate and Marine Department. This new department has four divisions including the Climate Prediction Division which deals with climate issues such as El Nino and the Oceanographical Division which is responsible for oceanographic observations and information services.
2. Observations
JMA has been making various observations for monitoring the ocean state and for better understanding the mechanism of oceanic variabilities in various time scales. The Agency has been making comprehensive oceanographic observations by operating research vessels, ocean data buoys, tidal stations, and the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (GMS). JMA has been also making efforts to promote XBT observations by Voluntary Observing Ships. Furthermore, JMA has also been providing information services such as analysis/prediction of sea surface temperature (SST), sea surface current, tide, sea ice and ocean wave to the public through several media such as radio facsimile and publication.
2.1 Observations by research vessels
2.1.1 JMAs research vessels
IMA has been recruiting six research vessels in the seas adjacent to Japan and the western North Pacific for oceanographic and marine meteorological observations. Figure 1 shows the observation sections regularly operated by these vessels. Observational data have been accumulated for more than forty years.
The headquarters of JMA are operating two research vessels; Ryofu Maru and Keifu Maru. Keifu Maru has been making various marine meteorological observations related to baiu front
