In 2019, Associate Professor Shunji Kotsuki started the Environmental Prediction Science Laboratory at the Center for Environmental Remote Sensing, Chiba University. There, he conducts research that will contribute significantly to the development of NEXRA, a real-time global weather transmission system running on a supercomputer of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). Prof. Kotsuki describes himself as a curiosity-driven person who is aware of the value of science in contributing to social welfare. He runs his lab on the principles of a start-up venture—identifying the problem, promoting the merger of passion, talent, and value, and also trying to understand the “market value/demand” or applicability of the research. Prof. Kotsuki speaks about the value of environmental forecasting and his thoughts on his research. Aiming for Highly Accurate Weather Forecasting I lived in Kochi Prefecture until I finished high school and then enrolled in the Department of Geoengineering at the Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University. The Department of Geoengineering focuses on four major … Continue reading Realizing the World’s Best Environmental Prediction Science Laboratory