JAPAN

The Japan contribution to global Biogeochemical-Argo (BGC Argo) is coordinated within the Japan-Argo consortium where the national priorities are define.

• The overall priorities of Japan BGC Argo are totally in phase with those defined at an international level with respect to scientific and societal questions, and float mission configuration.


• Areas of preferential deployments are essentially the North Pacific, the South Pacific, possibly the Indian Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.


• A focus on data management and quality control is a priority for the BGC Argo activity in Japan, with a tight link to the Argo data management team.

The Japan contribution to global BGC Argo is supported through various sources of funding.

• Yearly funding: There has not been any funding limited for BGC Argo floats. A few institutes (e.g., JAMSTEC) and universities (e.g., Tohoku univ.) are making decision to deploy floats for their own scientific research. At present, very small number of BGC Argo floats are in mission for various scientific target.


• Project-based funding: Some national/private competitive funds can be available to deploy BGC Argo floats. However, it depends on the proposals. In general, a few floats could be supported by each fund.
• Long-term commitments: In Japan, at present (May 2016), there are no robust project and funding scheme for BGC Argo. G7 statement made in 2016 can lead to a situation more suitable to deployment of BGC (and Deep) Argo floats.

• Name:Tetsuichi Fujiki
• Affiliation:Research and Development Center for Global Change (RCGC), JAMSTEC
• Country:JAPAN
• Email:tfujiki at jamstec.go.jp