Current performance and on-going improvements of the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope

An overview of the current statusof the 8.2m Subaru Telescopeconstructed and operated at Mauna Kea, Hawaii, by the National Astronomical Observatoryof Japan is presented. The basic design concept and the verified performance of the telescopesystem are described. Also given are the statusof the instrument package offered to the astronomicalcommunity, the statusof operation, and some of the future plans. The statusof the telescopereported in a number of SPIE papers as of the summer of 2002 are incorporated with some updates included as of 2004 February. However, readers are encouraged to check the most updated statusof the telescopethrough the home page, http://subarutelescope.org/index.html, and/or the direct contact with the observatorystaff.