Japan Meteorological Business Support Center (JMBSC)

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Maximilian Hunter
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1 Japan Meteorological Business Support Center (JMBSC) The Japan Meteorological Business Support Center (JMBSC) is a general incorporated foundation* inaugurated in 1994, in accordance with the Meteorological Service Act of Japan, under the supervision of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), National Meteorological Service of Japan. The Center aims at supporting and enhancing the activities of meteorological business entities and the efforts by the authorities concerned towards prevention/mitigation of natural hazards. Since its inauguration, JMBSC has provided a wide-range of services, particularly in the following five major fields: (1) Distribution of meteorological data, products and information generated by JMA on both real-time and non-real-time bases to user communities; (2) Conducting the national examination for Certified Weather Forecasters; (3) Official verification of the meteorological instruments; (4) International cooperation to support Official Development Assistance (ODA) and other relevant activities; and (5) Other services relevant to promotion of private meteorological business. * A general incorporated foundation is an organ officially registered with the government to ensure a variety of services on a non-profit basis. 1. Distribution Services of Meteorological Data, Products and Information In 1993, JMA established a policy to widely open a variety of meteorological data, products and information prepared by JMA to the private business sector, mass media and other parties. In line with this policy, the Metrological Service Act of Japan was accordingly amended, and JMBSC was officially designated by the Director-General of JMA as a unique authorized organization to distribute the meteorological data, products and information to various users at marginal cost. The distribution is carried out on a real-time basis through the network server system operated by JMBSC and in the form of recording media such as DVD/CD-ROM. Real-time Data Dissemination Operation 1 / 6

The Center aims at supporting and enhancing the activities of meteorological business entities and the efforts by the authorities concerned towards prevention/mitigation of natural hazards.

2 (1) Real-time distribution services The following meteorological data, products and information are disseminated to users under contract with JMBSC on a real-time basis through a dedicated line, the Virtual Private Network (VPN), the Internet and telephone-facsimile: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (h) (i) (j) (k) Meteorological observation data (SYNOP, METAR, RADAR, etc.) collected by JMA, including surface data observed by the Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System (AMeDAS) which covers all over Japan at more than 1,300 sites; Grid Point Value (GPV) data of numerical weather perdition (Global Spectral Model, Meso-scale Spectral Model, Local Forecast Model, Climate Prediction Model, etc.) and objective analysis of JMA; Imagery data and raw data (HRIT format) obtained by the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite MTSAT (Himawari-6 and -7) operated by JMA. JMA successfully launched the next generation geostationary meteorological satellite (Himawari-8) on 7 October 2014 and plans to start its operation on 7 July 2015 as a replacement of Himawari-7; Very short-range forecasts of precipitation and nowcast; Analysis and forecast charts issued by JMA; Weather forecasts, advisories and warnings including typhoon warnings; Marine meteorological and oceanographic observation data, ocean wave model products, etc.; Seismic and volcanic observation data of JMA; Earthquake early warnings; Tsunami warnings; Atmospheric environmental monitoring data such as those of UV-B and yellow wind. (2) Non-real-time distribution services (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Summary and individual observation data, quality-controlled by JMA, including those of surface, upper-air, tide, ocean-waves and earthquakes; Summary of meteorological satellite (GMS/MTSAT) imagery; Monthly and annual observation reports; Monthly analysis products including re-analysis with the numerical models of JMA; Statistical reports on metrological, environmental and marine observations. 2 / 6

) collected by JMA, including surface data observed by the Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System (AMeDAS) which covers all over Japan at more than 1,300 sites; Grid Point Value (GPV) data

3 The distribution services are available upon request in the form of DVD/CD-ROM by surface mail as well as through FTP file transfer. JMBSC Data Dissemination Diagram 2. National Examination for Certified Weather Forecasters Further to weather forecasting services for the general public, JMA is in a position to exclusively issue the warnings, such as typhoon warnings and torrential rain warnings, as a single authoritative voice of the nation. On the other hand, private weather companies and parties other than JMA are obliged to be authorized by the Director-General of JMA so as to conduct their own forecasting services, where the weather forecasts must be prepared by Certified Weather Forecasters qualified by JMA. Such a certification system was established in 1993 in compliance with the amended Meteorological Service Act of Japan, which allows the private weather forecasting companies to provide the public and private sectors and industries with more user-oriented and individually tailored weather forecasts. With the designation of the Director-General of JMA, JMBSC is responsible for the examination for Certified Weather Forecasters. The examination of basic meteorological 3 / 6

and torrential rain warnings, as a single authoritative voice of the nation.

4 knowledge and forecasting techniques is executed twice a year to present the official qualification of the Government of Japan. In 2014, around 300 people passed the examination. Today, a number of Certified Weather Forecasters are actively involved in the weather forecasting in private weather companies separately from JMA. A part of Certified Weather Forecasters serve as the weather casters on TV/radio and as consultants on application of meteorological information. Further to weather forecasting, Certified Weather Forecasts are playing a vital role in promulgation of weather information and knowledge on both professional and voluntary bases. 3. Verification of the Meteorological Instruments In order to maintain the meteorological observation accurate, consistent and valid, the verification of meteorological instruments is indispensable. In Japan, it is regulated that official meteorological observations shall be performed with the officially verified instruments in compliance with the Meteorological Service Act of Japan. While JMA has the responsibility for the verification of meteorological instruments as the national authority, the individual verification tests and issuance of certificates of instruments for surface and upper-air observations are carried out by JMBSC, with the authorization by JMA, in accordance with the procedures and guidelines established by JMA. Verification of a Wind Vane/Anemometer The verification service is conducted through: (a) submission of instruments directly to JMBSC; or (b) submission of calibration data, obtained in the manufacture s laboratories registered in JMA, to JMBSC. In the former case, JMBSC implements the verification test of each instrument and issues the certificate. In the latter case, after a careful evaluation of the calibration data submitted, JMBSC issues the certificate. For each qualified instrument, a verification/inspection certificate is Inspection Certificate 4 / 6

A part of Certified Weather Forecasters serve as the weather casters on TV/radio and as consultants on application of meteorological information.

5 issued in Japanese, with English translation if necessary, at marginal cost. Every year, JMBSC issues around 12,000 certificates of instruments. 4. International Cooperation In collaboration with JMA, JMBSC provides support for Official Development Assistance (ODA) activities of the Government of Japan for the enhancement of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and the relevant authorities related to earthquake and tsunami monitoring in the world. JICA Training on Climate Change in Indonesia JICA Training in JMA Instrument Center (Rain Gauge Calibration) 5. Other Services (1) Education and training JMBSC provides several basic and comprehensive training courses on meteorology for a few months duration. Several spot seminars are organized to transfer forecast techniques newly developed by JMA to the private weather forecasting industry. (2) Publication services Seminar on Latest Forecast Techniques JMBSC carries out reprint services of JMA s publications and issuance of JMBSC original publications. 5 / 6

Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) and the relevant authorities related to earthquake and tsunami monitoring in the world.

6 (3) Consulting services JMBSC conducts the following consulting services for the enhancement of meteorological and environmental services of the private sector and the relevant authorities: Development of application software to utilize the data, products and information provided through JMBSC; and Weather-related research with laboratories or companies concerned to enhance the meteorological knowledge. Research on Heat Illness Prevention Address of JMBSC and Map in vicinity of JMBSC Harerun (character mascot of JMA) JMA introduced a character mascot nicknamed Harerun (which means expectation of fine weather and clear sky in Japanese) to promote public awareness on meteorological services of JMA. JMBSC sells official goods with this mascot, such as dolls, cups and straps. Your inquiry and order are to be addressed by in English to: JMBSC International Service Officer at: jmbsc@jmbsc.or.jp. For the orders, the payment is required in Japanese currency (Yen) and the bank transfer commission is required to be covered by the order side. Cost estimates for the individual goods are available upon request. (updated on 25 June 2015) 6 / 6

Head 168 HONG KONG OBSERVATORY

Head 168 HONG KONG OBSERVATORY Controlling officer: the Director of the Hong Kong Observatory will account for expenditure under this Head. Estimate... $203.4m Establishment ceiling (notional annual mid-point salary value) representing