### 1. Observation and monitoring of the global environment

(1) Observation and monitoring of the climate change

International measures against global environmental problems such as global warming are being reinforced. In addition to

the measures prior and existing, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) is performing the following measures according to the “Priority Measures Concerning the Future Global Environment” that was formulated and announced in FY 2008.

In order to monitor the condition of greenhouse gases, JMA observes $ CO_{2} $ and other gases in the atmosphere at three stations in Japan and operates research vessels to observe these gases in the atmosphere and seawater in the northwest Pacific Ocean. It has also been observing shortwave and infrared radiation precisely at five stations in Japan since the end of FY 2009.

Additionally, observation is being carried out for monitoring the sea level rise caused by global warming and information on the long-term water level change along the coasts of Japan is being released.

Moreover, in order to monitor climate change and improve seasonal forecasts, JMA, in cooperation with the Central Research Institute of the Electric Power Industry, is implementing a long-term reanalysis project “Japanese 25-year Reanalysis (JRA-25)”, which consistently analyzes global atmospheric conditions in

CO $ _{2} $ concentration distribution on the earth

Changes over years (chart above) in Ryori, Minamitorishima and Yonagunijima and CO $ _{2} $ concentration distribution on the earth calculated with observed values.

the past and is made available to the research institutes inside and outside the country.

Based on the observation results as above, JMA publishes the “Climate Change Monitoring Report” and the “Report on Climate Change and Extreme Weather” summarizing the current situation and future projection of climate change, extreme weather events, global warming and other global environmental events.

(2) Measures for next geostationary meteorological satellite development

The next geostationary meteorological satellites, “Himawari No. 8 and No. 9”, are being developed as the world’s leading “Geostationary Satellites for Observation of the Earth’s Environment” strengthened to monitor the global environment including global warming, as well as to improve the functionality of disaster prevention for typhoon and local downpour. From FY 2008, the two satellites are started to be built and the launches are planned for FY 2014 and FY 2016 respectively.

## (3) Observation and monitoring of the ocean

The ocean has an important role in climate variability and global warming because the ocean is the biggest reservoir not only for heat in the climate system but also for $ CO_{2} $ . Also the oceanic variation significantly influences the atmospheric phenomena such as tropical cyclone and severe weather. Therefore, it is important to monitor adequately the ocean conditions in order to address the global environment issues.

In order to monitor the oceanic variations globally in real time, MLIT and the related governmental agencies are promoting the Argo Project through international cooperation with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and other related organizations.

JMA collects and analyzes various data observed by the research vessels, voluntary merchant ships and fishing boats, Argo Floats and satellites, and is releasing the monitoring results and prediction of the oceanographic condition on the JMA website in Japanese as “Marine Diagnosis Report”.

In order to complement the database from Argo Floats, the Japan Coast Guard is monitoring and grasping changes in Kuroshio currents in the water surrounding the Izu Islands all the time through the ocean HF radar system, and is releasing the observed data. Moreover, the Japan Oceanographic Data Center is also collecting and managing ocean data obtained from the ocean examination institutions of our country, and is providing the data to the related institutions and the general public.