The third GAME international science panel (ISP) was held from 12 to 14 January, 1998 at Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), Tokyo, Japan with kind supports of JMA, National Space Development Agency of Japan (NASDA) and WCRP. Twenty three ISP members or representatives and forty two observers/experts from 13 countries participated.
After the opening adresses from Prof. T. Yasunari, Chairperson of GAME, Mr. T. Ono, Director of JMA, Mr. W. Iwamoto, Ministory of Education, Science, Sports, and Culture, Japan, and Mr. T. Tanaka, NASDA/EORC, the panel started. First, current status of each component of GAME and related projects are introduced. Recently launched Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) initial images were very impressive.
Enhanced radiosonde observation is one of the most important keys for the success of GAME. We need harmonized radiosonde observations as much as possible in time and space. However, recent economical situation in Asia caused financial problems for the radiosonde observation, and the importance of WMO support are recognized. Prof. Yasunari proposed the establishment of IOP operational center in JMA. This center promotes the enhanced radio sonde observations in each regional project. The quality of the radiosonde data was one of the issues discussed. Dr. Kuma, JMA pointed out a difference between the first guess of JMA forecast and observation around tropopause in China. An additional radiosonde observation in China for data comparison to clarify the difference may be required.
GAME Data Management was another big issue. The guideline was proposed by Dr. Takahashi from Meteorological Research Institute of JMA (MRI). Taking into consideration that each regional project has its own problems in budget and number of the field workers and also the case of GCIP, the following data release schedule was adopted; (1) the IOP data will be available for the participating institutes and scientists by the end of June 1999 and for the international research community by the end of June 2000, and (2) non-IOP data as parts of the GAME observations will be available for the participating institutes and scientists by the end of one year after the observations, and for the international community by the end of two years after observations. All observing bodies are requested to keep the deadline of data release.
Along with the regional experiments which are focused for IOP, a long term monitoring using Asian AMeDAS Network (AAN) is also an important component of GAME. A working group (WG) for AAN was proposed from Prof. Yasunari. GAME has to consider the maintenance of the facilities of AAN after IOP (after 2000), and successive observation i.e. long-term monitoring with more stations than currently-planned 10 stations. GAME needs an international network to lead the AAN activity in the future. AAN WG will make discussion; (1) to design the concrete plan of long-term monitoring, and (2) to decide data information management, and (3) to coordinate with other international activities (IGBP/FLUXNET). After several comments inluding a possibility to contribute to GTOS and GCOS, the proposal was adopted.
The future GAME was the last subject. Prof. Ohata proposed a working group for the 2nd IOP which was planned from 1999 to 2000. The objectives of the WG are (1) to determine detail scientific objectives and focused issues, (2) to determine the basic direction of implementation, and (3) to seek cooperation from other international project. The WG would have a meeting in the Autumn of 1998 and its scientific back grounds were explained. After several comments on the time frame and the importance to consider the new satellite data such as TRMM and ADEOS II, and to cooperated with the GEWEX framework, the proposal was finally adopted.
In the wrap up session, finalization of the IP regarding IOP referring the handout IP book was a subject. After several requests of modification from participants, the IP was adopted. The radiosonde observations will be implemented from the beginning of April to the end of October. the unified enhanced observations have two phases; one is the onset phase from May 16 to June 15 and the other is the mature phase for full month of July. Each regional project or country will have some different schedule of enhanced radiosonde observations. The regions and countries involved are Japan, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Korea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal.
As the last businesses, current ISP members were reconfirmed, and Dr. Kuma, JMA newly became a member of ISP as the representative from JMA. Finally, next ISP was proposed to be held in conjunction with the 3rd GAME International Study Conference and 4th GEWEX Conference in the beginning of March, 1999 in China and was agreed.