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Message from Dr. Hatori, Director-General of the Japan Meteorological Agency
on the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake



15 March 2011


    First, I would like to extend my deepest condolences for the sufferers of the devastating earthquake and following catastrophic tsunami. I think that the operational abilities of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) are now being tried under this emergency situation. All the JMA staff are highly motivated and work together to keep providing necessary information and services to protect people in Japan.


    On behalf of all the staff members of JMA, I would like to convey my sincere appreciation for many warm messages from the Secretary General of WMO, Permanent Representatives with WMO, and directors and staff of National Meteorological and Hydrological Services and other related organizations abroad upon the massive earthquake and tsunami which hit the northeast part of Japan on March 11, 2011. I am leading the emergency responses at JMA, and at the same time, participating in the Major Disaster Management Headquarters (Minister level conferences based on the Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act), and I do not have time to respond individually to those messages for the time being, but all the JMA staff and I are very much encouraged and grateful.


    Supported by those warm words, JMA keeps its best efforts to monitor meteorological and geophysical phenomena, continue issuing forecasts and warnings as usual. Although we have some troubles with AWS, seismometers and tide gauges in Tohoku and surrounding areas due to the earthquake and tsunami, so far we have no major problems in issuing warnings/advisories/information on earthquakes, tsunamis and severe weather. JMA, as the national meteorological service, also provides special meteorological information for the damaged areas, which is indispensable for the safe and appropriate operation of rescue, recovery and other emergency responses. We also continue the normal operation of our international roles such as Regional Telecommunication Hub (RTH), Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres (RSMCs), and in provision of meteorological satellite data.


Mitsuhiko Hatori    
Permanent Representative of Japan with WMO    
Director-General of the Japan Meteorological Agency    




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