The World Bank (WB) Global Facility for Disaster Reduction & Recovery (GFDRR) has published a comprehensive report entitled "Modernization of Meteorological Services in Japan and Lessons for Developing Countries" with special focus on the services of the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). As one of the best practices for NMHSs, the report is helpful source of information to modernize meteorological services in developing countries and to enhance services in developed countries.

 This report was collated by the Japan Meteorological Business Support Center (JMBSC)* under the supervision of JMA with a variety of constructive comments and suggestions from Director-General Dr. Toshihiko Hashida, Mr. Tatsuya Kimura (the former Head of the Office of International Affairs) and dozens of experts. The drafting team, headed by former JMA Director-General Dr. Mitsuhiko Hatori in collaboration with experts on observation systems, early warning services, institutional management, research and international cooperation, thoroughly reviewed the history of Japanese meteorological service modernization and compiled the report over a period of two years.

 The outcomes of the project are summarized in the report with a huge amount of valuable material with excellent graphics, and available on the website of the World Bank Tokyo-Hub:
  Title: Modernization of Meteorological Services in Japan and Lessons for Developing Countries

  A consolidated short summary report including hydrological services is also provided at:
  Title: Modernization of Japan's Hydromet Services - A Report on Lessons Learned for Disaster Risk Management

  The modernization of meteorological services in Japan has been gradual. JMA's operational services have been developed through strategic and challenging investment designed to improve delivery in order to meet growing societal needs in a sustainable manner over 140 years. As elucidated in the above report, JMA has tackled a variety of challenges to meet higher targets in areas such as weather radar (1954- ), Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models (1959- ), the Automated Meteorological Data Acquisition System (AMeDAS; 1974- ) and Himawari-series geostationary satellites (1977- ). (See Chapter 3 of the report.)

  In view of lessons learned from meteorological services in Japan, JMA's international cooperation and current JICA projects involve the attachment of primary importance to securing the medium-/long-term sustainability of operational meteorological services in developing countries under NMHS leadership toward effective modernization of NMHSs in such nations with human resource development. (See Chapter 5 of the report.)

  Against such a background, Japan's series of geostationary meteorological satellites (Himawari-1 to -7) has made a significant contribution to NMHS meteorological services in the Asia-Pacific region over the last 40 years or so. Himawari-8, the cutting-edge geostationary meteorological satellite representing the first in the third generation of its kind, is expected to significantly enhance the monitoring and forecasting capabilities of NMHSs in the Asia-Pacific region. (See Section 5.1 of the report.)

  JMA's staff, headed by Director-General Dr. Toshihiko Hashida, maintain great pride in the Agency's history and its foundation on the work of related experts and predecessors. The personnel extend their deepest thanks to all involved.

*: JMBSC is a general incorporated foundation inaugurated in 1994 in accordance with the Meteorological Service Act of Japan under the supervision of JMA. (JMBSC website: http://www.jmbsc.or.jp/en/index-e.html). Information on JMBSC services can also be found in Chapter 4 of the report.