JMA offers a variety of meteorological data and products to the private weather service business sector at marginal cost to aid comprehensive operation in the field. Real-time and archived data are provided online and via CD-ROM, respectively, through the Japan Meteorological Business Support Center (JMBSC) - a public-service corporation designated by the Director-General of JMA. The Agency also strives to maintain dialogue with private weather companies in order to foster partnerships and increase mutual understanding.
In 1993, the Meteorological Service Act was revised to establish the Certified Weather Forecaster System, which provides meteorological experts with qualifications in forecasting by utilizing numerical weather prediction data. Japanese private weather companies require authorization from the Director-General of JMA to implement their own forecasting services and to retain Certified Weather Forecasters. The Certified Weather Forecaster examination is conducted by JMBSC under the designation of the Director-General of JMA.
The Agency also places high importance on the development of cooperative relations with the media. In addition to frequent press releases, including monthly interviews with the Director-General, JMA periodically holds dialogue with embedded press corps to exchange views toward the more effective dissemination of meteorological information.
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