Recent Progress of Biometeorology in Japan, with Special Emphasis on the History of Japanese Society of Biometeorology

摘要

Biometeorology in Japan has developed in association with the Japanese Society of Biometeorology (JSB). The JSB was founded in 1962 as a national response to the foundation of the International Society of Biometeorology (ISB) in 1956. The article covers the development of JSB from its origins to its current state. During the first 25 years of its existence the society's research activities centered mainly on the effects of climatic factors on human physiology and pathophysiology comprising topics of environmental physiology, impacts of weather conditions on human health and effects of environmental pollution, etc. During its further development the JSB has expanded the scope of its research activities, in line with the growing importance of global climatic changes not only as factors affecting human health directly but as a general challenge to human living conditions, including non-thermal impacts resulting from the progress of industrialization and from global warming.rnFrom its beginnings, the JSB and its members have made efforts to join the international scientific community by publications in international journals as well as by increasing ties with international societies pursuing similar scientific goals. So far, Japan has been successful in organizing two international conventions of the ISB, the 10th International Congress of Biometeorology 1984 and the 18th International Congress of Biometeorology in 2008, both held in Tokyo.rnThe JSB, with its current focuses of interest and its membership composition, reflects the development of environmental science in general. Initially, research was focused mainly on the impact of climatic conditions on human health. With increasing awareness of the impacts resulting from man-made or natural catastrophes and from the progress of global industrialization, other fields of environmental research have become increasingly important. The resulting diversity of topics in environmental science presents a crisis as well as the chance for the JSB to broaden its multidisciplinary basis, with special emphasis on ecology, on the problems arising in an increasingly sedentary society, and on the technical aspects of environmental management.