Using 19-year satellite altimetric data, variations in the eddy kinetic energy, energy exchanges and interaction between the eddy fi eld and mean fl ow are discussed for the Kuroshio south of Japan. In the seasonal cycle, the eddy kinetic energy level is a minimum in December/January and a maximum in April/May. In addition to seasonal variations, the eddy kinetic energy undergoes interannual changes. The energy transfers mainly from the mean fl ow to the eddy fi eld in the Kuroshio south of Japan, and dominant energy exchanges mainly occur along the Kuroshio path south of Japan in each year from 1993 to 2011. In addition, there is often barotropic instability south of Honshu. Regarding interactions between the eddy fi eld and mean fl ow, cyclonic and anticyclonic accelerations are also found along the Kuroshio path and they fl ank each other. There is cyclonic acceleration always imposed on southeast of Kyushu, and anticyclonic acceleration dominates south of Honshu from 2001 to mid-2005. Reynolds stress is used to explain the dynamic process of energy exchange. Furthermore, lag-correlation and linear regression analysis show that variability of the energy conversion rate and Reynolds stress involve responses to eddy acceleration at two time scales. The enhanced eddy acceleration induces large Reynolds stress, and enhanced Reynolds stress or barotropic instability further enforces energy transfer from the mean fl ow to the eddy fi eld. Using 19-year satellite altimetric data, variations in the eddy kinetic energy, energy exchanges and interaction between the eddy fi eld and mean fl ow are discussed for the Kuroshio south of Japan. In the seasonal cycle, the eddy kinetic energy level is a minimum In addition to seasonal variations, the eddy kinetic energy undergoes interannual changes. The energy transfers mainly from the mean fl ow to the eddy fi eld in the Kuroshio south of Japan, and dominant energy Both primarily occur along the Kuroshio path south of Japan in each year from 1993 to 2011. In addition, there is often said barotropic instability south of Honshu. Regarding interactions between the eddy fi eld and mean fl ow, cyclonic and anticyclonic accelerations are also found along the Kuroshio path and they fl ank each other. There is cyclonic acceleration always imposed on southeast of Kyushu, and anticyclonic acceleration dominates south of Honshu from 2001 to mid-20 05. Reynolds stress is used to explain the dynamic process of energy exchange. Furthermore, lag-correlation and linear regression analysis show that variability of the energy conversion rate and Reynolds stress involve responses to eddy acceleration at two time scales. large Reynolds stress, and enhanced Reynolds stress or barotropic instability further enforces energy transfer from the mean fl ow to the eddy fi eld.