The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund
Introduction to Grant Projects
Organization of Frontier Science and Innovation, Kanazawa University Professor Yasunobu Iwasaka
Contributing to East Asia environmental governance by atmospheric environmental monitoring on the Noto Peninsula: the Noto supersite concept
Research grant
- Project Description
The obtainment and sharing of information regarding effects of the emission/broad dispersion of "Asian dust" and harmful substances produced by the large-scale consumption of fossil fuels present an important issue for the countries surrounding the Sea of Japan and, indeed, the global community. Here, the Noto Peninsula of Japan is highly advantageous as an observational site. In this research, we talk of the construction of an atmospheric observational site (the "Noto Supersite"), from which we are to monitor, by land and by tethered and free balloons, concentrations of bioaerosols and "Asian dust" blown in from continental Asia. By this, we are to reveal the behavior of continental pollutants and, in addition, work to build a platform for informational sharing with researchers and NGOs from China, Korea and Japan. Also, in the conduction of such research, we are to collaborate with researchers from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (Chinese Academy of Sciences), and Pukyong National University (South Korea). We also look to advice and guidance from a board of advisors and a research planning committee, both comprised local government officials, National Institute of Environmental Studies researchers, and other concerned parties.
- Fields
- Climate changeMarine resources/foodPreservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
- Grant year
- FY2007 Research Grants
- Grant term
- 3 years
April 2008 - March 2011
- Grant amount
- 46,350,000 yen
- Activity region
- Noto Peninsula and Kanazawa, Japan; Beijing and Taklamakan Desert, PRC

Overview of the Organization

- Representative
- Professor Yasunobu Iwasaka
- Profile
- Specialist fields
Atmospheric physics; atmospheric environmentology
Affiliated academic societies
The Meteorological Society of Japan; Japan Association of Aerosol Science and Technology; Japan Society for Atmospheric Environment; American Geophysical Union
Background
In 1971 completed a course in Geophysics from the Graduate School, Division of Science, University of Tokyo. Subsequently worked at the School of Science, Nagoya University; Hydroatmospheric Science Laboratory, same; Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, same; other; April 2007 assumed current position - Collaborating researchers
- Kazuichi HAYAKAWA, Professor, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University; Koji NAKAMURA, Professor, Institute of Nature and Environmental Technology, Kanazawa University; Kenji KASHIWAYA, Professor, same; Shigeo KIMURA, Professor, same; Katsunori SUZUKI, Professor, Organization of Frontier Science and Innovation; Atsushi MATSUKI, Assistant Professor, same; Chun-Sang HONG, Researcher, same; Takuya KAWANISHI, Associate Professor, School of Natural System, Kanazawa University; Ning TANG; Assistant Professor, same
- Research record
-
- (1) On the mixture of aerosols and ice clouds over the Tibetan Plateau: results of balloon flight in the summer of 1999, Geophys. Res. Lett., 34, doi:10.1029/2007GRL031132,2007, Y. Tobo, D. Zhang, Y. Iwasaka, and G.Y.Shi
- (2) Detailed identification of desert-originated bacteria carried by Asian dust storms to Japan, Aerobiologia,DOI 10.1007/s10453-007-9076-9, N.-P. Hua, F. Kobayashi, Y. Iwasaka, G.-Y. Shi, T. Naganuma
- (3) Study on Atmospheric Diffusion of Bioaerosols in a KOSA Source Region, Journal of Aerosol Research 22, 218-227, 2007, F. Kobayashi, M. Kakikawa, Y. Iwasaka, M. Yamada, B. Chen, and G.Y. Shi (2008 award winning paper, Japan Association of Aerosol Science and Technology)