Visiting Professor Noriyuki Hibiya has been awarded the Purple Ribbon Medal for Autumn 2025.
Visiting Professor Hibiya has long been engaged in research into the elucidation and quantification of the physical mechanisms of deep-ocean turbulence, which is essential for understanding the deep ocean circulation that influences long-term climate change. He has also led deep-ocean turbulence research both in Japan and abroad, hosting sessions on ocean turbulence mixing at many international conferences, including the Japan Geoscience Union (JpGU).
We would like to offer our heartfelt congratulations on receiving this award and wish you continued success in the future.

[Recipient]
Noriyuki Hibiya(Visiting Professor, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology/Academic Research Postdoctoral Researcher, Department of Marine Environmental Sciences; Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo; Advisor, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology)

[Research achievements]
He has focused on "deep-ocean turbulence," which affects deep ocean circulation and, ultimately, long-term climate change through the upwelling of deep water caused by heat (buoyancy) transport from the ocean surface to the depths, and has elucidated its true nature using methods that combine theory and observation. This has led to dramatic advances in turbulence research in Japan and has made significant contributions to improving the accuracy of deep ocean environmental models and climate change predictions. In addition to these pioneering research achievements, he has promoted interdisciplinary and international research collaborations through his activities on scientific committees both domestically and internationally, and has made significant contributions to the development of physical oceanography and its improvement of its international status.

[Comment from Visiting Professor Hibiya]
When I transferred from the University of Tokyo to Hokkaido University in the early 1990s, I boldly embarked on theoretical research into "deep-sea turbulence," a field that was virtually unexplored in Japan at the time, despite being essential for elucidating the deep ocean circulation that controls long-term climate change. Since returning to the University of Tokyo, I have continued to work on this topic for many years, incorporating observations. I am truly delighted that the results of my research have been recognized in this way. I have not been able to get this far by my own efforts, but rather through the support of my laboratory members and collaborators. I would like to express my deepest gratitude once again.

Visiting Professor at Hibiya

<Related links>
Cabinet Office, List of Recipients of the Autumn 7 Medals of Honor (Tokyo)
University of Tokyo website