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In May 1993, the Meteorological Business Law was revised and effective
from July 5 the law allowed the private sector to substantially increase the
scope of meteorological business. For example, private weather forecasters were
authorized to provide their own local weather forecast to the general public
on condition that various forecast data be supplied by the Meteorological Agency
and the weather forecaster examination system be introduced. Thus, new meteorological
information services will be developed in response to the diversified needs
of users in this information-oriented society.
For this purpose, in March 1994, the Meteorological Affairs Support Center
(Foundation) was established as a center to support new meteorological information
services. In May, this center was designated by the Meteorological Agency as
an organization to deliver various online information to the private weather
forecast businesses, and started operation in July 1994.
A weather forecaster is a person who is authorized by the Government to
have adequate knowledge and skill to forecast meteorological phenomena accurately
in weather forecast duties of the private sector. The first qualifying examination
was conducted on August 28, 1994 in major cities of Japan (Sapporo, Sendai,
Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka and Naha). Out of 3,103 applicants, 2,777 took the examination,
and 500 persons passed. The examination will be given at least once a year in
the future. In fiscal 1994, however, it will also be held in December 1994 and
in March 1995, in addition to the one held in August.
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