Center for Climate System Research, University of Tokyo (CCSR)
Established as a hub for environmental research, the Center for Climate System Research (CCSR) at the University of Tokyo was founded. Dr. Matsuno served as the head of the center until 1994. The center had 10 staff members, including four professors, four associate professors, and two research assistants. It served as a shared facility for universities nationwide and was an independent organization separate from the faculties at the University of Tokyo. The center played a central role in climate research across Japan and made contributions to the creation of the IPCC's 3rd, 4th, and 5th assessment reports.
Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University
In 1994, Dr. Matsuno was appointed as the head of the Course in Atmospheric-Ocean and Climate Dynamics, at Graduate School of Environmental Science, Hokkaido University. This was a fantastic place that brought together researchers from various universities across Japan and abroad, all eager to embark on new endeavors. During lunchtime, everyone engaged in active discussions, and thanks to these interactions, Dr. Matsuno was able to acquire new knowledge, particularly in matters related to oceans.
The Frontier Research System for Global Change (FRSGC)
The Frontier Research System for Global Change (FRSGC) was established by the former Science and Technology Agency as a large-scale research project to address climate change and global environmental issues. Dr. Matsuno served as the system head of the FRSGC, leading the establishment of this new research system. The goal was to bring about the prediction of global change, and clarify the mechanisms of change in six fields, such as climate, the water cycle, and ecosystems, and reproduce them on a computer.
Computer programs that reproduce real-world phenomena on a computer for predictions and validations are called simulation models. The development of systems to simulate the atmospheric conditions within computers for weather forecasting started in the 1960s. By the 1990s, simulation models could be used to reproduce not only weather but also various events such as the movement of ocean currents, and changes in ecosystems.