Named in honor of Junichi Watanabe (1960– ), division chief of the Public Information Office of the National Astronomical Observatory and, from 1994, president of the Japanese comet conference. Actively involved in research on minor planets, comets and meteors, he has organized an effective observational team and has contributed to the development of the planetary sciences infrastructure in Japan. He also plays an important role in the popularization of astronomy and planetary sciences. (M 26930) _ _.