Dr. Tetsuzo Yasunari, Program Director of the Hydrological Cycle Research Program received the International
Award from Japan Society of Hydrology and Water Resources on August 30th, 2006. His receiving is based upon the
"significant contributions in elucidating the current status on energy and water cycle processes related to water
resources and water disasters over the Asian monsoon region and promoting the development of related-modeling
studies through planning and implementing the activities of an international joint research project, GEWEX Asian
Monsoon Experiment (GAME)".
GEWEX Asian Monsoon experiment (GAME) is the Asian-first integrated continental-scaled observational
experimental project, under the umbrella of Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX), one of the subprograms
of the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). At the same time, GAME is the Japan s first
international cooperative project, under which researchers in the fields of hydrology and water resources as well as
meteorology closely cooperated with each other, with the supports of researchers, meteorological agencies, and
hydrological agencies in Asia.
In its first phase, GAME established continental-scale experimental research areas at four areas including Siberian
Taiga forests and Tundra area, Tibetan plateau, Huai-he River basin in China, and Chao Phraya basin in Thailand. In
addition, observational researches including the Intensive Observing Period (IOP) in 1998 contributed to accumulate
data related to energy and water cycle processes. In the second phase of GAME (2002-2004), more detailed analysis
and modeling studies of energy and water cycle processes between atmosphere and land surfaces in the Asia
Monsoon region were carried out, using TRMM satellite data and GAME reanalysis data, as well as other observational
data.
These results were compiled into 38 project reports, 7 CD-ROMs and special editions of science magazines (Journal
of the Meteorological Society of Japan and Hydrological Processes). At the same time, the project produced
tremendous amounts of scientific and/or technological outputs. 267 related research papers were published in
international peer-reviewed scientific journals, and 57 doctoral theses and 94 master s theses were issued in Japan.
The GAME in Japan had been carried out mostly under the Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (KAKENHI), and at its
post-project evaluation committee of MEXT, GAME project was obtained highest ratings with the reason that
comprehensive and intensive data required for developing climate and hydrological models were well collected and
analyzed under the close cooperation/collaboration of the project team. The models are applicable to climate change
phenomenon caused by, for example, deforestations, and the project produced satisfactory outcomes. Since the data
also have important social value that will lead to the development of weather forecasts as well as the preservation of
eco-systems, the future release and systematization of the data are highly expected.
As the leaders of both GAME International Scientific Panel and Japan GAME National Committee, Dr. Tetsuzo
Yasunari, the recipient of the prize, has assumed a leading role on bringing together researchers studying Hydrology,
Water Resources, and Meteorology, within and outside of Japan, and brought about the great success of this
international cooperative project to reach a milestone. |
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