Project Report

Although the definition of “social implementation” is not strictly defined, the term represents an important concept in the government’s science and technology innovation policy. It is said that the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) was the first to begin using the term and that it is “a tangible social return of research results (omitted) that creates economic, social and public value” (Kanazawa, 2018)^*. In Japan’s Arctic research projects led by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), the ArCS II project is the first to address this. It was unfamiliar to the researchers in this project, which is a researcher-driven project, and we began by discussing what social implementation means in various settings. Therefore, the ArCS II project has been working to create a roadmap (or plan) for future real-world applications, and has positioned the research and development toward that goal as a trial for social implementation. In this issue, we would like to introduce some of the examples that have borne fruit from these efforts.

Atsushi Sato (JAMSTEC)
Social Implementation Coordinator of ArCS II

* Yoshihiro Kanazawa, 2018. “Social Implementation of the Results of Research and
the Roles of Universities,” Journal of Intellectual Property, Nihon University.

Makoto Koike　(School of Science, The University of Tokyo)
Yutaka Kondo　(Arctic Environment Research Center, National Institute of Polar Research)

Black carbon aerosols (BC) emitted from the fossil fuel combustion and biomass burning absorb solar radiation efficiently and, therefore, potentially accelerate global warming, especially in the Arctic. During the ArCS II project we have been developing and improving an instrument called COSMOS, which measures BC with high accuracy. Because of its reliability, it is stated in the AMAP SLCF Assessment report (Impacts of Short-lived Climate Forcers on Arctic Climate, Air Quality, and Human Health, an Arctic Council, 2021) that COSMOS can serve as a benchmark to standardize global BC measurements.

Teruo Aoki　(Arctic Environment Research Center, National Institute of Polar Research)

The reflectance (albedo) of solar insolation to snow and ice surfaces is an important factor for understanding the effects of global warming in the cryosphere. Particularly in the Arctic, a decrease in albedo (darkening) caused by the increases in snow grain size and snow/ice microorganisms in recent years could accelerate the melting of ice sheet and glaciers. In response, we have developed the Handheld Integrating Sphere Snow Grain Sizer (HISSGraS), which can directly measure the snow grain size that governs the albedo of snow-covered areas. This has enabled observations to be made over wide areas in a short time, such as synchronizing with satellite overpasses. We have managed to commercialize it through a private company.

Meiji Honda　(Niigata University)

When extreme weather events such as torrential rain or heavy snow occur, cutoff lows, which are low-pressure systems bringing cold air from the Arctic, often appear in the upper troposphere. They have been recognized as one of the main causes of extreme weather events because cold air entering the upper atmosphere destabilizes the condition of the atmosphere, but they have been difficult to identify using ground-based weather maps. The ArCS II project has succeeded in developing a new indicator for detecting cutoff lows using upper-air weather maps, and has published and provided information on a site for monitoring cold air in the upper atmosphere based on this indicator. In addition, this indicator has been added to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)’s extreme weather analysis website.

• Cutoff low map

※The URL has changed since News Letter #10 was published due to site migration.

Masashi Niwano　 (Meteorological Research Institute)

We have been developing, improving, and integrating the Japan Meteorological Agency’s regional-scale meteorology-chemistry model NHM-Chem and the Snow Metamorphism and Albedo Process (SMAP) model in order to elucidate the mechanism of recent rapid cryosphere changes in Greenland. Based on these models, we have developed LFM-SMAP, a coupled regional atmosphere-snow cover model system for Japan, which has been in operation at the JMA since October 2022. At the same time, real-time (during winter only) data of snow depth analysis and snowfall amount analysis, and very short-range forecasts of snow based on this model system are available on the JMA website . It is expected that this information will be widely used by the public for disaster prevention and disaster mitigation.

• Snow Analysis/Forecasts

Hironori Yabuki　(International Polar and Earth Environmental Research Center, National Institute of Polar Research)

The Arctic Data archive System (ADS) and the Arctic Sea Ice Information Center collaborate with Weathernews Inc., a private-sector weather company, to provide forecast information on sea ice in the Arctic Ocean to help JAMSTEC’s oceanographic research vessel “Mirai” finalize observation points and navigate safely when it conducts observation cruises in the region. The Mirai also provides information on the actual sea ice conditions in the Arctic Ocean. In addition, actual sea ice conditions are fed back from Mirai, and improvements are currently being made to improve the accuracy of the forecasts. In the future, the forecast information services are expected to be provided to vessels other than Mirai.

Takuji Waseda　(Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo)
Takatoshi Matsuzawa　(National Maritime Research Institute)

Sea ice floes in the Arctic Ocean vary in size and shape. Their complex geometrical features are a result of the ice break up and the collision among ice floes. Identifying and classifying them by radar would contribute not only to research but also to the safe operation of vessels. A joint research team led by JAMSTEC developed a marine radar system to identify sea ice and waves with high accuracy for installation on the Arctic research vessel “Mirai II”. The data acquired by the ArCS II project, to investigate ocean, wave, and sea ice interaction, has greatly contributed to the development of the system’s algorithm.

Akiho Shibata　(Graduate School of International Cooperation Studies, Kobe University)

The ArCS II Project publishes the Briefing Paper Series, a series of documents that provide brief and simple explanations of issues of interest to relevant stakeholders from an international law and policy perspective, in order to disseminate the results of the ArCS II Project’s research on the Arctic to society at large. As of October 2024, the Briefing Paper Series has reached its tenth issue and is used to provide briefings and regular information to government officials on Arctic issues. It is expected that this series will be used in the formulation and revision of Japan’s Arctic policy in the future.

• Briefing Paper Series

Shigeto Nishino　 (Institute of Arctic Climate and Environment Research, JAMSTEC)

In June 2021, the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean entered into force with the aim of preventing unregulated fishing, which raises concerns about the impact on marine ecosystems and fishery resources, in the Central Arctic Ocean, where the shrinking of the sea ice cover is allowing fishing areas to expand. As members of the Japanese delegation to the Scientific Coordinating Group, we participated in the development of the implementation plan for the joint program to conduct scientific research and monitoring under the agreement, and contributed to the input of the results of the ArCS II research and the suggestion of a most urgent monitoring site, where is at a risk of ocean deoxygenation and acidification based on these results.