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Telecommunications and Data Processing System

  To support efficient and effective weather services, high-performance telecommunications and data processing are essential. JMA maintains state-of-the-art computer systems to enable these operations.


Computer System for Meteorological Services (COSMETS)

  JMA operates two major computer systems; one is the Automated Data Editing and Switching System (ADESS) for the treatment of observational data and products, and the other is the Numerical Analysis and Prediction System (NAPS). ADESS is linked to individual JMA facilities for meteorological services as well as various related authorities (including both the central government and local governments) via exclusive landlines. To complement landline-based communication, JMA installed a communication channel through the Geostationary Meteorological Satellite (MTSAT-1R) for the delivery of earthquake reports and tsunami warnings due to the urgency and level of reliability required in disseminating such bulletins. NAPS is a super-computer system used for the computation of numerical weather predictions.
  To cope with constantly increasing demand for computing performance and capacity, JMA updates NAPS with the latest high-performance computer every five years, and the most recent replacement was conducted in June 2018. ADESS and NAPS are collectively called the Computer System for Meteorological Services (COSMETS), and constitute a comprehensive system for data communication and processing.
COSMETS and related systems
COSMETS and related systems

International Communications System

  In addition to its role as described above, ADESS also exchanges observational data and weather-related products with National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) through the Global Telecommunication System (GTS), which is run under the WMO World Weather Watch (WWW) Programme. JMA serves as a Regional Telecommunication Hub (RTH) for the GTS Main Telecommunication Network, and is connected to World Meteorological Centres (WMCs), other RTHs and National Meteorological Centres (NMCs).
  The Agency also operates a Global Information System Centre (GISC) and Data Collection or Production Centres (DCPCs) of the WMO Information System (WIS) for the collection and sharing of information for all WMO and related international programmes.
  See JMA’s WIS Services for details of actual services.
Schematic overview of the Global Telecommunication System (GTS)