Japan Meteorological Agency Faces Financial Difficulties, Seeks Private Advertisements on Website

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] The Japan Meteorological Agency, struggling with financial difficulties, has decided to attract private advertisements on its website to raise funds, NHK reported on the 15th.

According to the report, the Meteorological Agency is recruiting businesses responsible for selecting advertisements to display private ads on its website starting this September. NHK described the agency's decision to accept payment for placing private ads on its website as "unprecedented among government agencies," adding that "the background is the agency's severe financial situation."

As large-scale disasters continue to occur in Japan, the Meteorological Agency has been strengthening the dissemination of information on its website and meteorological satellite observations. The annual maintenance cost for systems used for weather and earthquake observation has increased to 17 billion yen (approximately 190 billion KRW). However, since the budget has not increased significantly, the agency has secured maintenance funds by reducing repair costs for updating observation equipment such as meteorological observation systems, NHK reported.

This move to attract private advertisements is a measure to overcome the difficult financial situation, and the Meteorological Agency plans to continue seeking funding sources in the future. Professor Kimura Reo of Hyogo Prefectural University pointed out, "The disaster prevention information handled by the Meteorological Agency is public information that protects lives from disasters," adding, "The fact that the agency cannot avoid relying on private funds is a serious problem itself, and the government must firmly secure the financial foundation."