The 150th Anniversary of Meteorological Services in Japan - A 150-Year Journey: Preventing Disasters for a Better Future -
The year 2025 is the 150th anniversary of Japan’s meteorological services, which began on 1 June 1875. To mark the occasion, a commemorative ceremony was held on 2 June 2025 in the presence of His Majesty the Emperor and a number of high-level government officials, including Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru and other distinguished guests involved in meteorological services in Japan.
His Majesty gave a congratulatory address, expressing hopes that meteorological services would continue to excel based on 150 years of cumulative expertise to ensure public safety and peace of mind. Prime Minister Ishiba also delivered a congratulatory speech.
Congratulatory video messages from WMO Secretary-General Professor Celeste Saulo and EUMETSAT Director-General Phil Evans were also shown.
On 16 June, on the occasion of the 79th session of the WMO Executive Council (EC-79), the Permanent Mission of Japan to the International Organizations in Geneva and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) celebrated the 150th anniversary of meteorological services in Japan. Attendees included WMO EC members, advisors and WMO secretariates. Congratulatory speeches were given by Permanent Mission of Japan Ambassador H.E. OIKE Atsuyuki, WMO President Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, and WMO Secretary-General Professor Celeste Saulo. A congratulatory video message was shown from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director-General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, whose department started meteorological services in the same year as JMA.
Following the speeches, JMA Director-General NOMURA Ryoichi delivered an opening address, emphasizing the importance of the shared mission of meteorological services and international cooperation. He also expressed a commitment to further advancing meteorological services in collaboration with other WMO Members.
The 150th Anniversary of Meteorological Services in Japan leaflet provides an overview of JMA’s 150 year journey in mitigating the effects of disasters for a better future.