Initiatives of research institutions
Research on climate change impacts and adaptation spans numerous disciplines. In Japan as elsewhere, many research institutions are involved in such research. This section outlines some of their initiatives.
National research institution roles and collaboration
The roles of national research institutions
Promoting adaptation requires the expansion of our scientific knowledge through the work of research institutions, and the development of information infrastructure to consolidate this knowledge. Comprehensive research by research institutions on predicting and assessing climate change impacts covering diverse fields including agriculture, natural disasters, ecosystems, and health will enable the implementation of adaptation measures based on reliable information.
Among research institutions in Japan, the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES) plays a core role in the nation's climate change impact and adaptation information infrastructure. NIES collects, organizes, analyzes, and disseminates information on climate change impacts and adaptation, and also provides technical advice to prefectures and municipalities on formulating local climate change adaptation plans.
However, climate change impacts and adaptation affect a wide range of fields. In addition to NIES, JMA's Meteorological Research Institute, MLIT's National Institute for Land and Infrastructure Management, the Public Works Research Institute, the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization, the Forest Research and Management Organization, the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, and many other national research institutions are conducting research in various fields that contributes to the advance of adaptation initiatives.
Collaboration between national research institutions
NIES has established the Liaison Meeting of Research Institutions on Climate Change Adaptation to further enhance collaboration between relevant research institutions. This body aims to support national and local government policies and adaptation initiatives being pursued by businesses and members of the general public by sharing details of the research being undertaken by the various institutions and discussing frameworks for cooperation and collaboration to enhance scientific findings.
Under the Liaison Meeting, a Study Group on Climate Change Adaptation was established with membership open to LCCACs and universities as well as national research institutions. Participants share the latest research developments and discuss possibilities for collaboration and joint research.
Key research projects on climate change adaptation
As one of the key research projects being conducted on climate change impacts and adaptation, the MEXT-Program for Advanced Studies of Climate Change Projection is focused on elucidating climate change mechanisms and reducing uncertainty in climate change projections. It also drives R&D aimed at the creation and utilization of highly accurate climate change projection data based on needs.
Another key project is the Comprehensive Research on Projection of Climate Change Impacts and Evaluation of Adaptation (S-18) project, under which research is being conducted on climate change impact projection and adaptation evaluation based on the latest scientific findings with the aim of generating comprehensive scientific information to support climate change adaptation efforts.
Key research outcomes and public datasets
To further promote climate change countermeasures in Japan, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) have published the Climate Projection Dataset 2022 (DS2022), which compiles climate change projection data generated through domestic climate change research programs and other initiatives. Another key initiative is the Data Integration and Analysis System (DIAS), which collects, stores, integrates, and analyzes global and regional observation data for sharing both domestically and internationally. DIAS has been in operation since FY2006.
the Climate Projection Dataset 2022 (DS2022), which compiles climate change projection data generated through domestic climate change research programs and other initiatives. Another key initiative is the Data Integration and Analysis System (DIAS), which collects, stores, integrates, and analyzes global and regional observation data for sharing both domestically and internationally. DIAS has been in operation since FY2006.These research outcomes have been utilized for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment reports; the Global Stocktake, which assesses progress towards the Paris Agreement goals; Japanese government assessment reports; and local adaptation initiatives.
In addition to those mentioned above, many other research institutions in Japan are engaged in research on climate change adaptation. Further examples of the initiatives of such institutions are shared on A-PLAT.