Biography Name: SUGINOHARA, Nobuo Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo Previous position: Visiting Research Associate, Center for Ocean-Atmospheric Prediction Studies, Florida State University Field of Specialization and Recent Research: Physical oceanography, ocean modeling, and "world ocean circulation research"

I was appointed as a new Director-General of FORSGC on October 1 of this year, following the resignation of the previous Director-General Dr. Hiroshi Hotta on September 30.

FORSGC is designed to make observations of each of the major components of the earth climate system: ocean, land and atmosphere. We conduct observational research to understand global change of the earth by elucidating each basic process of climate phenomena and their interactions. It will also contribute to the model development and verification activities carried out by the Frontier Research System for Global Change (FRSGC) .

To achieve this goal, FORSGC provides the following two observational research programs :

1) The Climate Variations Observational Research Program 
This program aims to elucidate tropical ocean-atmospheric interaction, ocean variation in the subsurface and middle layers, and changes in the Kuroshio current,
which are important causal factors for inter annual climate variation.

2) The Hydrological Cycle Observational Research Program This program aims to clarify the variations in Asian monsoons over the Asia-Eurasian region, and particularly the Eurasian continent. The program is investigating the physical processes associated with longterm monsoon variation and changes in water resources, accompanied by global warming.

Along with the above two programs, we have established a task team for Atmospheric Composition Observation, as a part of MEXT's "Research Project for Sustainable Coexistence of Human, Nature and Earth." Using a flexible employment system, our research is being carried out under the leadership of eminent experts. With the Yokohama Institute for Earth Sciences (YES) as our research base, FORSGC gathers and analyzes observational data in many different countries, and also promotes research activities at the International Arctic Research Center (IARC), which has been established at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks.

Through these research activities, FORSGC pursues important role in "The process studies for global environmental changes and approaches to undiscovered natural phenomena."

By close cooperation with FRSGC, FORSGC provides observation data for FRSGC's modelling research. By collaborating with the modelling research, we aim to contribute to construction of accurate climate models. The research conducted at FORSGC is project oriented; achieving research results is our primary purpose.

To continue achieving outstanding research results under our unique research structure, we aim to maximize our potential and establish a world class research system. It is my sincere hope to strengthen FORSGC's capacity by utilizing the experience I have acquired at research institutes both in Japan and overseas in the field of physical oceanoography. To accomplish these challenging goals, I sincerely ask for your continuous and valuable support and cooperation.