Marine Ecosystems Research Department - jamstec japan agency ...

Japan Marine Science and Technology Center
OD21 Program Department
vessels: one is the riser-capable vessel "CHIKYU" to
be provided by JAMSTC, and the other is a non-riser
vessel to be provided by the National Science
Foundation (NSF). JAMSTEC has been working to
build up the collaborative, cooperative and operational
structure with IODP member countries through various
activities at the international level, such as the
International Working Group (IWG) and interim
Science Advisory Structure (iSAS). The IWG/IODP
Meetings were held at Stockholm, Sweden and Nice,
France on June and January respectively.
Continuing from last fiscal year, JAMSTEC has
provided staff to the IWG Support Office (IWGSO)
established in Washington D.C. with the cooperation
of Japan and U.S. in order to support the IWG and
other related activities. JAMSTEC has accommodated
the iSAS Office in Yokosuka Headquarter since June
to support iSAS activities such as recommendations
on the Science Advisory Structure (SAS), promotion
of proposal submission and evaluation of proposals
in preparation for the start of the IODP.
IODP Management International Inc. (IMI) was
established in February to manage and operate
the central management office (CMO) of the IODP.
From the begining, JAMSEC has contributed as one of
the members of the CMO working group, whose task
is to recommend how to form the IMI. IMI
Headquarters will be located in the U.S., and the
major function of IMI, science support and planning,
will be implemented by the office in Japan.
The Center for Deep Earth Exploration (CDEX) consisting
of specialists in various fields was established in
JAMSTEC in October to achieve the scientific
objectives of IODP and expand the management capability
in operation, drilling and science service, though
the safe and effective operation of "CHIKYU".
For the promotional activities and public relations
of IODP, JAMSTEC provided an exhibition booth
both at the Society of Professional Well Logging
Analysts (SPWLA) in June in Ohiso, Kanagawa
and at the Annual Meeting of American Geophysical
Union (AGU) in December in San Francisco.
(2) OD21 Domestic Activities for the IODP
For the successful implementation of the IODP/
OD, the OD Program Department has been constructing
the scientific riser-drilling vessel,
"CHIKYU", which is one of the core capabilities of
the program. The Department is also setting up its
operational structure and scientific research system in
close collaboration with and by support from governmental
agencies, universities and research institutions.
For the promotion of domestic research, OD has
served as the secretariat for the OD Science
Advisory Committee (OD SAC; Chaired by Dr.
Hajimu Kinoshita) organized in FY. Through the
supporting activities of the OD SAC panels and
working groups, OD and the OD SAC have developed
the domestic strategy on scientific research, and
planned concrete research objectives for the IODP,
helped the IODP interim Science Advisory Structure
(iSAS), and advised and supported domestic proponents
to develop IODP proposals. Also, OD and the
OD SAC have published "Toward an Understanding
of Earth System Evolution: Japan National Science
Plan for the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (both in
English and Japanese)" which serves as guidelines for
the promotion of science in Japan, and "Downhole
Measurement/ Monitoring Working Group Interim
Report (both in English and Japanese)". OD SAC
ended in FY, and the Japan Drilling Earth Science
Consortium established in February took over
SAC's role. The achievements of OD SAC were
summarized in the OD SAC Activity Report.
The Department has continuously maintained the
OD HP for promotional activities and public relations,
and published the OD Newsletters (vol. to
vol., both in English and Japanese) to enhance the
support to the IODP/OD from both domestic and
international scientists.
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