Commendation
For outstanding contributions to advocating and promoting international collaboration within the Earth and Planetary Science community by establishing JpGU as an Asian hub alongside AGU and EGU.
Major achievements
Dr. Gaku Kimura played a central role in the establishment of the Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU) in 2005. During the incorporation of JpGU as a general incorporated association in 2008 and its transition to a public interest incorporated association in 2011, he served as President of the Union and clearly articulated the organizational vision of developing a comprehensive, cross-disciplinary society with its own membership. Through these efforts, he laid the foundation for the development of JpGU as it exists today. Furthermore, Dr. Kimura envisioned JpGU as the Asian counterpart to major international organizations such as the American Geophysical Union (AGU) and the European Geosciences Union (EGU), and emphasized the importance of strengthening international collaboration within the geoscience community. More than a decade ago, he proposed and led the initiative for a Joint Meeting with AGU. Following direct negotiations with AGU headquarters in the United States, he succeeded in realizing the first JpGU–AGU Joint Meeting. In addition, Dr. Kimura has contributed to strengthening the influence of the geoscience community both domestically and internationally through his long-standing service in the Science Council of Japan, which connects the academic community with government policy. He served as a Member during the 23rd and 24th terms and as an Associate Member during the 21st and 22nd terms as well as the 25th and 26th terms.
[ Orcid ]
Nominator
Mitsuhiro Matsu’ura
Supporters
Satoru Tanaka