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Participation in the
US/Japan Cooperative Program in Natural Resources (UJNR)

Origin of the UJNR:

The United States/Japan Cooperative Program in Natural Resources (UJNR) was established in 1964 as a result of a recommendation by the bilateral Committee on Trade and Economic Affairs, headed by the US Secretary of State and Japan's Foreign Minister. The objective of this program is to:

  • provide a continuing forum to promote the development and conservation of natural resources through cooperation in applied science and technology
  • improve the environment for present and future generations
  • increase and enhance the bonds of friendship between Japan and the United States

Overview:

The UJNR consists of 18 panels. Nine of these panels are concerned with marine science and technology and are coordinated under the marine Resources Coordination and Engineering Committee (MRECC) of the UJNR. The other nine panels address non-marine activities. In the United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the Department of Commerce coordinates the committee's marine panels, while the Department of Agriculture coordinates the non-marine panels of the UJNR. The overall UJNR program is coordinated by the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, Department of State. In Japan all UJNR panels are coordinated by the Science and Technology Agency.

Participation:

NGDC (now NCEI) is represented on the Sea Bottom Surveys panel which "promotes the exchange of marine geophysical and bathymetric research and survey data." Recent emphasis has been on multibeam surveying and the associated data gathering systems. Considerable knowledge has been gained and shared addressing the latest techniques in the acquisition, processing, and display of multibeam sounding data.