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***Japan Geoscience Union Mailnews October Issue No.421 OCT 2026***
<< Contents >>
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| 1. Foreword by Takashi Oguchi, President of JpGU
| 2. Call for Session Proposals for JpGU 2027 [closes on 29 OCT]
| 3. Call for Nominations: 2027 JpGU Fellowship Program
| 4. 7th Nishida Prize for Promotion of Geo- and Planetary Science
| 5. Call for Nominations: 2027 Japan Geoscience Union International Contribution Award
| 6. Call for Nominations: 2027 Japan Geoscience Union President’s Award
| 7. Call for Nominations: 2027Wadati Award
| 8. From Committees
| -> Educational Affairs Committee
| -> NPO Japan Earth Science Olympiad Committee
| 9. Information from PEPS
| -> SPEPS article collections Call for papers:
| -> Featured Articles
| -> Latest Articles
| 10. From Science Council of Japan
| 11. What’s New
| -> Event Information
| -> Career Opportunity
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#1. Foreword by Takashi Oguchi, President of JpGU
This year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Professor Kenzo Soai of Tokyo University of Science. Professor Soai gave an invited lecture entitled “Asymmetric Autocatalysis (the Soai Reaction) and the Origin of Homochirality” at the JpGU 2024 Annual Meeting, as part of the Union Session “Biogeochemistry of CO World”. I am very pleased to see Professor Soai, whose research is also related to Earth and planetary sciences, receive this prestigious award.
Recently, the NHK TV program “Close-up Gendai” featured citizen science. It introduced several examples of ordinary people making scientific contributions using open data: identifying ancient castles and burial mounds from topographic data, reconstructing damage caused by historical earthquakes from images of old documents, and discovering asteroids using images from space telescopes. All of these are closely related to the Earth and planetary sciences. The growing popularity of citizen science is supported by an environment in which high-quality data are made freely available to everyone. In the field of topographic data, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI) provides high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) derived from airborne laser surveys. My research group frequently uses these DEMs for topographic analysis.
The widespread free availability of geospatial data, including DEMs, was encouraged in the United States by an executive order signed by President Bill Clinton in 1994. Around the same time, the rapid spread of the Internet helped create an environment in which basic geographic information in the United States could be freely downloaded and used by anyone. In Japan, by contrast, geospatial data produced by the government was generally distributed for a fee on media such as CD-ROMs. However, the enactment of the Basic Act on the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial Information in 2007 greatly accelerated the opening up of geospatial data in Japan.
Not only data but also software and other tools have increasingly become open and freely available. For example, QGIS, a geographic information system (GIS) software package, can be used free of charge by anyone. OSGeo, the global non-profit organization supporting the development of QGIS and other open geospatial technologies, brings together people from academia, government, industry, and the general public. OSGeo holds an international conference called FOSS4G every year. This summer, the conference was held in Hiroshima, and I attended it because JpGU was one of its supporting organizations. A total of 828 people participated, approximately two-thirds of them from outside Japan. The Japanese chapter of OSGeo organized the event very well.
Open data and open tools enable diverse groups of people, including citizens, to participate in scientific activities. I look forward to seeing how these developments will transform geoscientific research in the years to come.
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#2. Call for Session Proposals for JpGU 2027 [closes on 29 OCT]
The call for session proposals for JpGU 2027 is now open.
JpGU Meeting 2027 will follow the format of the past meetings and continue the hybrid format, mixing on-site (at Makuhari Messe in Chiba City) and online.
Building on the five traditional science sections of JpGU—Space and Planetary Sciences, Atmospheric and Hydrospheric Sciences, Human Geosciences, Solid Earth Sciences, and Biogeosciences—we welcome proposals that incorporate interdisciplinary perspectives and new approaches. We sincerely look forward to receiving your active session proposals.
[JpGU Meeting 2027 (Tentative Plan)]
Date: Sun. 23 – Fri. 28 May 2027 *for 6 days
Meeting format: Hybrid (on-site + online)
On-site venue: Makuhari Messe Chiba, Japan
[Main Updates Related to the Program]
– For sessions with five or more timeslots (blocks), the on-site poster core time will be divided into two days.
– Each session may appoint up to six conveners in total, including two required main conveners and any co-conveners.
– To help the JpGU Meeting remain a forum for scientific discussion and new connections across disciplines and national borders, we nevertheless encourage session conveners to consider organizing their sessions as E-sessions again this time.
– Beginning in early 2027, specifically when abstract submissions open, the member, submission, and public/participant sites are scheduled to begin operating on new systems.
Please see the following link for details．
https://www.jpgu.org/meeting_e2027/news/news20261001_e.html
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Submission period: Thu. 01 OCT – Thu. 29 Oct at 17:00 (JST)
Proposals should be submitted from the following site.
https://www.jpgu-member.org/proposal/
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[Resources]
*CONVENER GUIDELINES
https://www.jpgu.org/meeting_e2027/rule/conv.html
Please refer to the Convener Guidelines before proposing a session.
*INFORMATION FOR CONVENERS
https://www.jpgu.org/meeting_e2027/for_conv.php
*CONVENER’S INQUIRIES
Please contact us using the following form if you have any inquiries on session proposals.
https://business.form-mailer.jp/fms/49cba62c153195
[About co-sponsorship]
Joint sessions with Partner Unions (AGU, AOGS, EGU, and/or TCGU), Co-Sponsored Session with JpGU Society Members, International Cooperative Sessions, and co-sponsoring with organizations other than JpGU Society Members are available.
The procedures vary depending on the co-sponsoring organization. Please refer to the website for details.
+ Joint Sessions with Partner Unions
Joint Sessions are co-organized with overseas Partner Unions (AGU/EGU/AOGS/TCGU) that have MOU with JpGU.
Partner Unions: AGU, AOGS, EGU, and/or TCGU
Application period: Thu. 01 OCT – Thu. 29 Oct at 17:00 (JST)
How to apply: From the designated form
https://www.jpgu.org/meeting_e2027/rule/joint.html#joint_partner_union
+ Co-Sponsored Session with JpGU Society Members
Sessions co-sponsored or co-organized with our society members are designated as “Co-sponsored Sessions” at JpGU Meetings.
JpGU Society Members: https://www.jpgu.org/en/organization/societies/
How to apply: After the session proposal is completed, contact the Program Committee member representing the Member Society you propose to co-sponsor the session.
Deadline for application: Contact the Program Committee member representing the Member Society for society-specific deadlines.
https://www.jpgu.org/meeting_e2027/rule/joint.html#joint_cosponsoring_society
+ International Cooperative Sessions
International Cooperative Sessions are co-organized with overseas societies with which JpGU has an Agreement as an activity to extend our collaborative networking.
International Cooperative Organizations/societies: PMS (Philippine Meteorological Society), IGRSM (Institution of Geospatial and Remote Sensing Malaysia), PESA (Philippine Environmental Science Association), GSP (Geological Society of the Philippines), IAGI (Indonesian Association of Geologists), GSM (Geological Society of Malaysia), PhilGRSS (Philippine Geosciences and Remote Sensing Society), IABI (Indonesia Disaster Expert Association), MPS (Mongolia Physical Society), MGS (Mongolia Geophysical Society)
Application period: Thu. 01 OCT – Thu. 29 Oct at 17:00 (JST)
How to apply: From the designated form
https://www.jpgu.org/meeting_e2027/rule/joint.html#other_societies
+ Co-sponsoring with Organizations other than JpGU Society Members
If you wish to co-host a session with an organization that does not belong to JpGU Society Members, co-sponsorship is possible if you have the approval of the Board of Directors.
Application period: Thu. 01 OCT – Thu. 29 Oct at 17:00 (JST)
How to apply: From the designated form
https://www.jpgu.org/meeting_e2027/rule/joint.html#other_societies
[JpGU Meeting 20267 Key dates (Tentative plan)]
Session proposal closes 17:00 Thu. 29 OCT 2026
Session list release Thu. 26 NOV 2026
Session schedule-at-a-glance release Wed. 03 DEC 2026
Abstract submission 14:00 Tue. 12 JAN – 17:00 Tue. 16 FEB 2027
*Early-bird submission deadline 23:59 Wed. 03 FEB 2027
We look forward to receiving many proposals from a wide range of science fields.
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#3. Call for Nominations: 2027 JpGU Fellowship Program
Fellowship Program confers fellowship honors upon individuals who
have made contributions to the field of geoscience research in Japan
by making significant discoveries breakthroughs or paradigm shift,
or contributing to the development of Japanese geoscience and the
dissemination of geoscientific knowledge.
Please see the details shown below and send the documents necessary
for the nomination by the deadline.
Acceptance Period: From noon on Thursday, 1 October to noon on Monday, 30 November 2026 (JST)
Detail: https://www.jpgu.org/en/2027-jpgu-fellowship-program/
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#4. 7th Nishida Prize for Promotion of Geo- and Planetary Science
Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU) is now accepting recommendations for
candidates for the 6th Nishida Prize for Promotion of Geo- and Planetary
Science.
JpGU has created the “Nishida Prize for Promotion of Geo- and Planetary Science” in 2014 to honor internationally recognized mid-career researchers under the age of 45.
Acceptance Period: From noon on Thursday, 1 October to noon on Monday, 30 November 2026 (JST)
Detail：https://www.jpgu.org/en/7th-nishida-prize/
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#5. Call for Nominations: 2027 Japan Geoscience Union International Contribution Award
JpGU is now accepting nominations of candidates for the recipient of
Japan Geoscience Union International Contribution Award.
JpGU has established JpGU International Contribution Award to honor individuals and groups recognized for international activities that have made significant contributions to the development of the field of Earth and planetary sciences in Japan including for JpGU,
through the awarding of the International Contribution Award.
Acceptance Period:
From noon on Thursday, 1 October to noon on Monday, 30 November 2026 (JST)
Detail: https://www.jpgu.org/en/2027international-award/
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#6. Call for Nominations: 2027 Japan Geoscience Union President’s Award
The Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU) is now accepting nominations of candidates for the recipient of 2027 JpGU President’s Award.
JpGU has established JpGU President’s Award to honor individuals or organizations that have made significant contributions to the
activities of JpGU.
Acceptance Period: From noon on Thursday, 1 October to noon on Monday, 30 November 2026 (JST)
Detail: https://www.jpgu.org/en/2027president-award/
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#7. Call for Nominations: 2027Wadati Award
(Solid Earth Sciences Section Award) Japan Geoscience Union
The Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU) is pleased to announce the call for
nominations for the “Wadati Award.” This award was newly established
to honor outstanding researchers, particularly in the field of solid
earth sciences, who are internationally recognized and have made
significant contributions to the advancement of science.
Acceptance Period: From noon on Thursday, 1 October to noon on Monday, 30 November 2026 (JST)
Detail: https://www.jpgu.org/en/2027wadati-award/
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#8. From Committees
(1) Educational Affairs Committee
[2027 Information Exchange Meeting for Middle and High School Earth Science Educators]
Available in Japanese
[Announcement of Earth Science Week Japan 2026]
Earth Science Week is held annually in the United States and around the world with the aim of promoting geoscience among the general public.
Earth Science Week Japan (ESWJ), the Japanese version of this event, will celebrate its 9th anniversary this year.
This year, the event will be held from Saturday, October 10th, to Sunday, December 6th, 2026 at venues in Nagano, Shizuoka, Aichi and Tokyo.
Sunday, October 25th
Field Trip to Nagano
Guide: Tomotaka Tanabe, former director of the Togakushi Geological Fossil Museum (Nagano City), and others.
Application website opens on Monday, August 24th.
For more details, please visit the following website:
https://sites.google.com/jpgu.org/eswj2026 (Japanese Only)
(2) NPO Japan Earth Science Olympiad Committee
[Call for Participants: The 19th Japan Earth Science Olympiad]
Applications for the 18th Japan Earth Science Olympiad opened on 01 September 2026.
The deadline for applications is Sunday, 15 November.
For more details, please visit the official website of the Japan Earth Science Olympiad Committee.
https://jeso.jp
(Available in Japanese)
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#9. Information from PEPS
(1) SPEPS article collections Call for papers
We welcome your manuscript submissions for the following SPEPS special issue.
(Submission Deadline Extended)
Integrated Biospheric Science for Managing Global Climate. (DigitalBiosphere)
https://link.springer.com/collections/dehhhcaahd
New Submission deadline: 31 March 2027
Antarctic and Southern Ocean Climate: From the Geological Past, Through the Present, to a Warming Future. (GLACES)
https://link.springer.com/collections/fdifhgbfcb
Submission deadline: 31 December 2026
Predictability of the Variable Solar-Terrestrial Coupling – PRESTO: Five-Year Overview.(PRESTO)
https://link.springer.com/collections/ffeiggjbjf
Submission deadline: 28 February 2027
Advanced Studies of Climate Change Projection. (SENTAN)
https://link.springer.com/collections/igjjiicdih
Submission deadline: 30 September 2027
Thermochronology and Earth System Evolution in and around Asia. (Asian Thermochronology)
https://link.springer.com/collections/hbfifhfjcg
Submission start: 1 September 2026
Submission deadline: 31 March 2028
(2) Featured Articles
We will highlight articles selected by the Editor-in-Chief from previously published papers.
[Solid earth sciences]
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-025-00697-4
@Erika Jessenia Moreno, Shoichi Yoshioka, Vlad Constantin Manea, Marina Manea & Nobuaki Suenaga;
‘2D visco-elasto-plastic subduction models in the presence of a high density and viscosity continental block: a case study for the slab geometry beneath the Kii Peninsula, southwest Japan’.
This study investigates why the Philippine Sea plate subducts at a high angle beneath the Kii Peninsula using two-dimensional visco-elasto-plastic numerical simulations. The results suggest that a high-density and high-viscosity continental block near the Nankai Trough may inhibit low-angle subduction, resulting in the steep slab geometry observed beneath the Kii Peninsula.
[Solid earth sciences]
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-025-00721-7
@Kishan Tiwari, Sujoy Ghosh, Masaaki Miyahara & Dwijesh Ray;
‘Olivine–ringwoodite transformation in Katol meteorite: implications for localized superheating of chondritic melt and seismic attenuation’.
This manuscript examined the composition, texture, and growth kinetics of ringwoodites in the Katol chondrite fallen in India. Temperature–time history and growth rate analysis reveal a high-pressure pulse duration of ~ 0.4 s. They suggested that the chondritic melt in the Katol chondrite reached ~ 2630 K, approximately 307 K above liquidus. They reported a significant influence of melt temperature on ringwoodite growth rate and grain size.
(3) Latest Articles
The following articles were published.
@ Yuri Suzuki, Syuntaro Hiradate, Jun Koarashi, Mariko Atarashi-Andoh, Kazuki Suzuki, Masataka Nakayama, Yukiko Abe, Kouki Hikosaka, Hirofumi Kajino, Hiroyuki Sase, Rieko Urakawa & Hirohiko Nagano;
‘An evaluation on contribution of organo–metal complexes to enhanced soil CO2 release during drying–rewetting cycles using buried humic horizon soils’.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-026-00843-6
(DigitalBiosphere)https://progearthplanetsci.org/en/articles_on_speps/23/
@Tenga Yokoyama, Eiichi Tajika, Yasuto Watanabe & Kazumi Ozaki;
‘Redox-controlled restructuring of marine microbial ecosystems during oceanic anoxic events’.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-026-00842-7
@Haruhisa Tabata, Koki Yumoto, Oya Kawashima & Tomohiro Usui;
‘Effect of oxygen ion irradiation on the visible, infrared, and Raman spectra of Phobos candidate materials: implications on the space weathering by Martian atmosphere-derived ions’.
(MMX)https://progearthplanetsci.org/en/articles_on_speps/19/
@Riho Tomatsu, Marc Humblet, Kazuhiko Fujita & Yasufumi Iryu;
‘Late middle Pleistocene fossil coral reef growth history in the subtropical Northwest Pacific’.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-026-00844-5
(Carbonates)https://progearthplanetsci.org/en/articles_on_speps/24/
@Bin Zhao, Guillaume Morard, Geeth Manthilake, Paraskevas Parisiades, Jing Yang, Yingwei Fei, Yann Le Godec, Nozomi Kondo, Takashi Yoshino & Daniele Antonangeli;
‘Carbon solubility and liquid-liquid immiscibility in Fe-C-S ternary system up to 6 GPa: Implications for the core of small planetary bodies’.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-026-00846-3
@Tatsuhiko Tokuta, Kentaro Imai & Taro Arikawa;
‘Tsunami excitation by localized subsidence associated with crater formation: a numerical case study for the October 2023 Sofu Seamount event’.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40645-026-00847-2
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#10. From Science Council of Japan
JpGU acts as liaison with the Science Council of Japan.
Below is the archive of the distributed newsletters from the Science Council of Japan.
(Available in Japanese)
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#11. What’s New (Please confirm contents from the associated official website)
(1) Event Information
*Please check the event website for the latest information.
International Workshop on large-scale forest monitoring
Dates: 21 October 2026
https://www.kenkai.jaxa.jp/event/2026/261021_e.html
10th International Conference on Asian Marine Geology 2026 (ICAMG-10)
Dates: 02 – 04 November 2026
Venue:Busan Port International Exhibition & Convention Center(BPEX), Republic of Korea
https://www.icamg.org/
ABC-NIBB Joint International Conference
Dates: 09 – 11 November 2026
https://nibb-abc-conf70.nibb.ac.jp/
(2) Career Opportunity
Announcement for a Professor Position (Hokkaido University Faculty of Environmental Earth Science)
[Application deadline: 16 OCT 2026]
https://www.ees.hokudai.ac.jp/ees/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/chikyukankyo_tougou_kyouju_R080723_EN.pdf
Professor Position in the Research Section of Crustal Activity Information, DPRI, Kyoto University
[Application deadline: 19 OCT 2026]
https://www.dpri.kyoto-u.ac.jp/news_en/25237/
Project Researcher (II) at Solid State Quantum Sensing Group, Smart Sensing Technology Development Center
[Application deadline: 03 NOV 2026]
https://www.jamstec.go.jp/engd/e/
Cecil H. and Ida M. Green Foundation Postdoctoral Scholar
[Application deadline: 08 NOV 2026]
https://apol-recruit.ucsd.edu/JPF04643
Researcher or Researcher (II), Climate Model Development and Application Group, Research Center for Environmental Modeling and Application (CEMA),
[Application deadline: 29 NOV 2026]
https://www.jamstec.go.jp/recruit/e/details/rigc20261129/
Researcher or Researcher (II), Biogeochemistry Research Center (BGC), Institute for Earth and Material Sciences (EMS)
[Application deadline: 29 NOV 2026]
https://www.jamstec.go.jp/recruit/e/details/ems20261129/
Researcher or Researcher (II), Seafloor Observatories Research Group, Research and Development Center for Geodetic and Geophysical Monitoring (GGM)
[Application deadline: 30 NOV 2026]
https://www.jamstec.go.jp/recruit/e/details/ggm20261130/
Researcher Position at the Institute for Space-Earth Environmental Research
[Application deadline: 30 NOV 2026]
https://www.isee.nagoya-u.ac.jp/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/09/koubo2026-02en.pdf
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To all individuals interested in Earth and planetary sciences
The Japan Geoscience Union Mailnews is distributed to all registered members of the Japan Geoscience Union via our website to provide the latest information in the field of Earth and planetary sciences.
Please encourage those around you who have not yet registered their personal information (membership) to join JpGU.
Registration is open to anyone affiliated at universities, research institutes, companies, educators, and anyone else interested in Earth and planetary science.
Edited by Publicity and Outreach Committee of JpGU
Published by Takashi Oguchi (President) of JpGU
Japan Geoscience Union (http://www.jpgu.org/)
4F Gakkai Center Bldg.
2-4-16 Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku,
Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
Contact: https://www.jpgu.org/en/inquiry/
* JpGU Mailnews is delivered to regular Members of JpGU.
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* Please forward your inquiries or opinions to JpGU Office (https://www.jpgu.org/inquiry/).
* If you wish to unsubscribe from JpGU Mailnews, please click the following URL. Please note that this is not to stop all emails/information from JpGU.
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