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Research paper : Investigation of the distribution of elements of the whole of Japan and their applications (N. Imai)−277−Synthesiology - English edition Vol.3 No.4 (2011) [21]and background evaluation of soils and sediments from Kanto district, and marine sediments from Tokyo Bay, Bull. Geol. Surv. Japan, 58, 69-91 (2007).S. Togashi, N. Imai, Y. Okuyama-Kusunose, T. Tanaka, T. Okai, T. Koma and Y. Murata: Younger upper crustal chemical composition of the orogenic Japan Arc, Geochem. Geophys. Geosyst., 1, 1049, doi:10.1029/2000GC000083 (2000).AuthorNoboru ImaiCompleted the doctoral course in Chemistry at the Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo in 1980, earning a Ph.D. (Science). Joined the Geological Survey of Japan, Agency of Industrial Science and Technology (current AIST) in 1981. Became the group leader of the Geochemistry Group, Institute of Geology and Geoinformation. Engaged in research of the geochemistry of rocks and sediments, ESR dating, geochemical map, and geochemical standard reference materials. For this study, was in charge of the geochemical map of the land and sea in Japan. Awarded the Environmental Prize for the geochemical map in 2005, and a Prize of the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology for a certified reference material in 2010.Discussions with Reviewers1 General commentsComment (Shigeko Togashi, Evaluation Department, AIST)This paper is meaningful for the methodology to complete the geochemical map of land and coast of Japan as one of the basic geological information of the country. By converting the conception, the geochemical map covered the whole country by acquiring external budget although it started from the regional map of small areas. Especially, it is noted that an Environmental Prize was awarded for the widely used geochemical map in society. This paper therefore is suitable for publication in Synthesiology.As described in this paper, it is better to show first what the geochemical map is and how it is used for the reader by using figures which are easy to understand. Please indicate the keywords of some concrete examples also from the practical use of the later chapter. In addition, for the history of geochemical mapping in AIST the description of the methodology should be more generalized as a method of synthesiology. Although the original manuscript was “just explanation”, the manuscript which was reconstructed by generalizing the approach of research and the methodology of the social contribution has been much improved by corresponding to the above-mentioned primary comment.Answer (Noboru Imai)According to the reviewer’s comment, the structure of the text was changed to clarify the thrust of the discussion. The geochemical map is explained in “2.1 Background of the geochemical map”, and the scheme of the geochemical map is described in “3. Flow of geochemical mapping”. The configuration of the entire text was modified.2 Similarity of research scenariosComment (Akira Ono, AIST)The target of this research is making the geochemical map of Japan which covers both the sea and land. The result is not only original but also excellent as the Type 2 Basic Research and Product Realization Research using the integration and synthetic methods.Making the geochemical map is considered to be comparable with making a large-scale database. I have an experience to build a database of physical properties, and think that the setting a scenario seems to be analogous to that of geochemical map.Fundamental qualities of the database are composed of the characteristics of data, coverage and reliability of data, convenience in the use, and operability in making and using the database. I think these qualities of the database are also common to the geochemical map. If you agree with this, please draw an analogous scenario for the geochemical map, which I think will make it easier for the reader to understand.Answer (Noboru Imai)Thank you for reviewing the manuscript so carefully and thoughtfully. I also very much appreciate your suggesting a figure of the concrete scenario. The figure is intelligible in allowing a purview of the whole work. Several terms were corrected based on this suggestion; the scenario is depicted in Fig. 3. The viewpoint outside of this specialty has been particularly helpful for me to understand the work more comprehensively.3 Motivation at an early stage of the researchQuestion (Akira Ono)As described in this paper, the origin of a geochemical map of Japan goes back to that of the northern Kanto region developed in 1991. After that it took 20 years to publish the geochemical map of Japan. I think that the methodology which was developed in making the geochemical map of the northern Kanto region led to today’s success.In that sense, I think that it was a very important point that you decided to start the work of the geochemical map of the northern Kanto region. What was the motivation that made you decide to start it then? Did you start it because you were inspired by the British geochemical map research in advance, or because of your own academic interest?Answer (Noboru Imai)It was a very important point that the geochemical map of the northern Kanto region was first launched as you pointed out. I think that there were several purposes for starting the geochemical map project at that time. The geochemical map of the northern Kanto region was completed in March 1991. The five-year project was started on April 1, 1985. Therefore, we had actually prepared the project from 1984 because the budget had passed in the prior year. At that time, because I had just started my career as a researcher, I did not know all the circumstances surrounding the start-up of the project. However, I think it occurred as follows.The first motivation of the start-up of the project was the British geochemical map, which made a big impression on many people, as you pointed out. The ease of understanding the distribution of elements in the UK at a glance gave us a strong impression. Moreover, the used methodology was exactly the same as that for geochemical exploration to find mineral deposits, which was the method used by the geochemistry group in GSJ. Therefore, it seemed to us that we could undertake the project without delay.The research groups involved in the geochemical map then were doing basic research in geochemistry and doing chemical analyses of geological materials. They had been working somehow far from the main stream of making “the geological map” in GSJ. The geochemical map work started as a big project

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