About the Meteorological Society of Japan
目次
History
This society was founded in May 1882 as the Meteorological Society of Tokyo and changed its name to the Dainippon Meteorological Society in January 1888. On July 16, 1941, the organization was restructured and became an incorporated association named the Meteorological Society of Japan. The number of members reached 1,800 in 1944. Despite a temporary decreased in membership immediately following World War II, the society has continued to grow, reaching more than 3,000 members in 2020, and now plays significant scientific and social roles.
Purpose and Activities
The purpose of the society is to activate meteorological research and promote the progress and development of such research in cooperation with related academic societies both in Japan and around the world. This society conducts such activities as the sponsorship of workshops and meetings, the publication of bulletins, journals, and books, and the encouragement and commendation of research.
Member Classification
Individuals and organizations interested in the activities of the society are invited, irrespective of nationality, to apply for membership. Members are classified as outlined below.
(1) Individual members (click here for more details)
The categories for individual members are General, Student and Senior.
All individual members are sent a Japanese-language print version of the Meteorological Society of Japan (MSJ) journal, titled Tenki.
The yearly membership fee is 9,000 yen for General members, 4,200 yen for Student members and 6,000 yen for Senior members (65 or over).
Lifetime membership is guaranteed for members aged 60 or over making an age-based lump-sum prepayment.
(2) Organizational members
The categories for organizational members are A, B and C.
Category A members pay a yearly membership fee of 11,000 yen, and are sent a print version of Tenki. Category B members pay a yearly membership fee of 20,000 yen, and are sent print versions of Tenki and the Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan (JMSJ). Category C members pay a yearly membership fee of 12,000 yen, and are sent a print version of JMSJ.
(3) Supporting members
Supporting members are individuals or organizations wishing to support the activities of the society. Such members make a yearly contribution of 40,000 yen or more, and are sent print versions of Tenki and JMSJ upon request.
(4) Honorary members
Honorary members are individuals or organizations that have provided distinguished services to this society and have been commended at a general meeting. There is no membership fee, and such members are sent print versions of Tenki and JMSJ.
Member Privileges
All members enjoy the following benefits:
- Delivery of Tenki and/or JMSJ depending on the membership category
- Discounts on publications issued by the society, such as Meteorological Research Notes and abstracts of papers presented at annual spring/autumn scientific meetings
- Discounts on fees for contributions to bulletins and publications (non-members are billed at cost)
- The opportunity to attend scientific meetings sponsored by the society and discounted registration
Bulletin and Regular Publications
(1) Tenki
This monthly Japanese-language bulletin is primarily intended to support domestic exchanges. Content includes research papers, reports on domestic and international scientific meetings, analysis of recent research, and information on recent activities of the society. Digital versions of past bulletins are also available.
(2) Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan (JMSJ)
This is an international, peer-reviewed, and open-access journal for the publication of research in areas of meteorology. JMSJ publishes original research articles, invited review articles, and notes and correspondence by both members and nonmembers. A print version of JMSJ is distributed bimonthly, and circulated to organizational members.
(3) SOLA (Scientific Online Letters on the Atmosphere)
This is an international, peer-reviewed, online-only, and open-access letter journal focusing on the rapid distribution of scientific discoveries, new findings and advances in understanding in atmospheric and related sciences, especially in interdisciplinary crossover areas.
(4) Other
Local branches of the society occasionally issue branch reports to regional members.
(Supplement )
These publications are also distributed to non-members. For more information, please contact the secretariat of the society.
Other Publications
(1) Meteorological Research Note (Kishokenkyu Note)
This publication is written in Japanese and contains explanatory reviews on general topics concerning meteorology. Approximately 3 volumes are published each year.
(2) Abstracts of papers at annual scientific meetings
Abstracts of papers are published at annual spring/autumn scientific meetings.
(3) Proceedings of symposia and other meetings
When required, edited versions of abstracts from symposia and workshops sponsored or co-sponsored by this society are published.
(Supplement)
- Members can obtain the Kishokenkyu Note and the abstracts of papers at annual scientific meetings at discounted prices.
- Members can purchase the Kishokenkyu Note on a subscription basis at discounted prices. If you subscribe for a publication, it will be delivered to you upon publication. You will pay for the subscription in a lump when you pay the membership fee.
- Each issue of the Kishokenkyu Note has a different price.
- Please contact the secretariat of the society regarding details of these publications.
Major Meetings
(1) Spring and autumn meetings
Scientific meetings for the presentation of research papers, lectures, symposia, and commendations are held each spring and autumn. The spring meeting is held in the Kanto area for four days, while the autumn meeting is held in one of the local branches for three days. At the spring meeting, a society general meeting is held in order to deliberate on the activity statement, the settlement statement, activity programs, budget proposals, and other matters necessary for the operation of the society.
(2) Summer schools
In summer schools, lectures on recent meteorology-related topics are presented primarily to students in high school or higher levels who are interested in meteorology and also to teachers who teach meteorology in primary, junior high, and high schools. Each year, a summer school is held near the end of July in Tokyo. Local branches in Hokkaido, Kansai, and other regions also hold such schools.
(3) Workshops and regular meetings
Focusing on special areas and topics, workshops and meetings are regularly or occasionally held in the form of research presentations and symposia. In addition to those held in Tokyo, various events are also held by local branches. These events are announced in Tenki, in branch reports, and on the web.
Awards
The Meteorological Society of Japan presents the following annual awards for accomplishments in the field of meteorology.
(1) The Award of the Meteorological Society of Japan
With this award, the society commends an individual who has made a distinguished achievement in atmospheric sciences.
(2) Fujiwhara Award
This award honors an individual who has contributed to atmospheric sciences and related technology through research and investigation, comprehensive reports, and writings.
(3) Gambo-Tatehira Award
This award honors an individual or an organization which has made a significant contribution to society through an achievement of atmospheric science and technology.
(4) Horiuchi Award
This award is for an individual who has made a significant contribution in interdisciplinary fields related to atmospheric sciences.
(5) Syono Award
This award honors young researchers who have conducted a distinguished research for atmospheric science and technology.
(6) Yamamoto Award
This award honors young researchers and engineers who have published outstanding papers in recent issues of atmospheric science journals.
(7) Ogura Encouragement Award
This award is presented to a person or persons who have conducted distinguished research in a non-academic career. The award is also presented to those who have made significant contributions to educational activities at schools or in the society.
(8) Matsuno Award
This award honors graduate students for outstanding presentation on their own highly original and creative research.
(9) The JMSJ Award
This award is presented to the best papers published in Journal of the Meteorological Society (JMSJ) every year. At the end of a year, the JMSJ editorial committee selects the best papers published that year.
(10) The SOLA Award
This award is presented to the best paper(s) published in SOLA (Scientific Online Letters on the Atmosphere) every year. At the beginning of a year, the SOLA steering committee selects the best paper(s) published in the former year.
International Scientific Exchanges
For the promotion of international scientific exchanges in atmospheric sciences, the society has established an international scientific exchange fund and conducts the following activities.
(1) Co-sponsorship and support of international scientific meetings
(2) Encouragement of young researchers to participate in overseas scientific meetings
Application for Membership
Membership in the society is open to everyone. Please obtain a membership application form from the society’s secretariat (contact the headquarters at: <gyomu@metsoc.jp> or contact a branch office), or download it from here, complete the form and submit it to the society’s secretariat.
The secretariat will send an invoice for the membership fee (if you join the society in the middle of the year, you will pay a prorated membership fee). After confirmation of your remittance, your name will be announced as a new member in the bulletin Tenki.
Payment of Membership Fee
Members shall pay the yearly membership fee in advance. The society issues invoices for annual membership fees every November, and members are required to pay the outstanding fees by the end of the following January.
Surface mail postage for bulletins will be paid by the society. Those who wish to receive the delivery of Tenki by airmail and/or registered mail shall pay the additional cost of 4,800 yen/year and/or 4,200 yen/year.
You may come directly to the office of the secretariat to pay your membership fee. For overseas members, the following methods are accepted to pay membership fee:
a) International postal money order
b) Credit card (VISA or MasterCard)
c) Bank remittance
Of these methods, a) and b) are recommended. For more information please contact the society’s secretariat.
Contact Point for Inquiries
For more information or any questions regarding the information presented on this page, please contact the society’s secretariat at <chief@metsoc.jp>.
Address of the Secretariat
♦ Main Office:
c/o Japan Meteorological Agency, 3-6-9, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
Tel: +81-3-6453-0611; Fax: +81-3-6453-0612
e-mail: gyomu@metsoc.jp
♦ Hokkaido Local Office:
c/o Sapporo District Meteorological Observatory, 18-2, Nishi, Kita 2-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 060-0002, Japan
♦ Tohoku Local Office:
c/o Sendai District Meteorological Observatory, 1-3-15, Gorin, Miyagino-ku, Sendai 983-0842, Japan
♦ Chubu Local Office:
c/o Nagoya Local Meteorological Observatory, 2-18, Hiyori-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-0039, Japan
♦ Kansai Local Office:
c/o Osaka District Meteorological Observatory, 4-1-76, Otemae, Chuo-ku, Osaka 540-0008, Japan
♦ Kyushu Local Office:
c/o Fukuoka District Meteorological Observatory, 1-2-36, Ohori, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0052, Japan
♦ Okinawa Local Office:
c/o Okinawa Meteorological Observatory, 1-15-15, Higawa, Naha 900-8517, Japan