News release

24 April 2006

Sir John Houghton CBE FRS, a former Director-General of the Met Office, has received the prestigious Japan Prize for his original and outstanding achievements in science.

The prize, in the category of 'Global Change', was presented by the Science and Technology Foundation of Japan, acknowledging Sir John's pioneering research on atmospheric structure and composition based on his satellite observation technology. He was also praised for his promotion of international understanding of climate change.

The award ceremony was held in Tokyo on 20 April 2006 in the presence of their Majesties, the Emperor and Empress, and representatives of the Japanese government.

Notes:
The Japan Prize is awarded in two categories each year following nominations from up to 5,000 scientists around the world.

For 2006 the categories were 'Global change' and 'The development of novel therapeutic concepts and technologies'.

The prize in the second category has been awarded to Dr Akira Endo of Japan.

Sir John has held the following positions:

• Chairman of the Scientific Assessment for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change from 1988-2002.
• Chairman of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (1992-1998).
• Chief Executive of the Meteorological Office (1983-1991).
• Professor of Atmospheric Physics, University of Oxford (1976-1983)

Sir John is currently chairman of the John Ray Initiative, a Trustee of the Shell Foundation and Honorary Scientist at the Met Office Hadley Centre for Climate Change.