Joint Usage/Research Center for Digital Earth to Address Emerging Complex Systemic Problems
Accredited by Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

International Digital Earth Applied Science Research Center
Chubu Institute for Advanced Studies

From the Director
As environmental pollution and climate change have shown us, human activities are causing dramatic changes to ourplanet Earth, which is the very basis for our existence. These impacts have led to the concept that we are witnessing thedawn of a new geological epoch, referred to as the“Anthropocene.”Besides ongoing changes in population structure,plus geopolitical risks and the rise of populism, a chain of diverse threats such as intensifying natural disasters andinfectious diseases on a global scale are having an enormous impact on society and the economy.
With the aim of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the global community today is in the midst of aparadigm shift, a transition toward sustainable society after a period of high economic growth that was driven by science andtechnology. Expectations regarding science are also changing, from research into the fundamental character of nature andsociety, toward science that explains the current changes in nature and society and can design the shape of our future.
To pursue sustainability, from the local to the global level it is necessary not only to integrate diverse scientiﬁc
disciplines but also to engage in interdisciplinary research and collaborate with a diversity of stakeholders. For this weneed an“Earth”that is an overarching information platform constructed in cyberspace and multi-dimensional, has multiple
levels of visual resolution and can be displayed in real time. We call this“Digital Earth.”Today at last we have an immense
amount of Earth observation information and spatial data and have seen tremendous advances in geographic information
systems (GIS) and geoinformatics to utilize that information and data. On top of that we have information andcommunications technologies on a global scale, plus the rise of citizen science and information from social media being
enabled by Internet technology. In essence, the enabling environment for Digital Earth is coming together.
The International Digital Earth Applied Science Research Center (IDEAS) was established in April 2011 to create Digital
Earth, with the aim of focusing on the complex systemic problems facing society today through collaboration among
researchers in both the arts and sciences disciplines, and helping to design a sustainable society by visualizing the bigpicture of problems and identifying interconnections based on scientiﬁc evidence. In 2014 we were accredited as a Joint
Usage/Research Center by the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).
We expect Digital Earth to be used not only to solve global environmental problems, but also to think about asustainable future for the Earth, by serving as a communication platform and as a collaborative lab to solve complex
systemic problems that have multifaceted and interconnected aspects such as the environment and disasters. Japan’s
Fifth Science and Technology Basic Plan (2016-2020) refers to a human-centered“Society 5.0”that deals with both
economic and societal issues using advanced approaches to integrate cyberspace and physical space. (The“5.0”refers tonext transformation of society following the ﬁrst four stages̶hunter-gatherer, agricultural, industrial, and informationsociety). We believe that Digital Earth can play a crucial role in this transformation.
Going forward, we hope to collaborate extensively with researchers, governments and civil society to make signiﬁcantadvances in this research. We appreciate your understanding and support in these endeavors.
Director of Chubu Institute for Advanced Studies,
Director of International Digital Earth Applied Science Research Center (IDEAS), Chubu University

FUKUI Hiromichi

Professor FUKUI Hiromichi, D.Sc.

(member), before starting his current position in 2011.

Director of Chubu Institute for AdvancedStudies, Director of International Digital EarthApplied Science Research Center (IDEAS),
Chubu University

In his ﬁeld of expertise in global environmental studies
and spatial information sciences, he is conducting research for the development of Digital Earth and its applications for disaster prevention and reduction as wellas environmental preservation.

After graduation from the Graduate School of Science Major publications in Japanese include“The Leadingat Nagoya University, he has held various posts includ- Edge of Integrated Policy Studies I,”“Introduction toing work at a private think tank, Keio University Global Security,”“GIS and Public Participation,”and( p r o f e s s o r ) , a n d t h e S c i e n c e C o u n c i l o f J a p a n “Toward Sustainable Society.”ABOUTInternational Digital Earth Applied Science Research Center (IDEAS),
Chubu Institute for Advanced Studies, Chubu University
IDEAS was established to engage in the development of research approaches to solve complex systemic problemson the theme of“Digital Earth”by applying GIS and spatial information science.

About Digital Earth
Digital Earth is a digital model of the Earth recreated in cyberspace, consisting of a wide range of data on the environment and society combined with locational information. Using Digital Earth we can visualize a variety of natural
phenomena and societal issues in the real world and develop an understanding of their interactions in order to solve
complex systemic problems. By sharing the cyberspace containing Digital Earth, stakeholders can have a forum forcoordination of work and communication from diﬀerent perspectives about the future of the Earth.
Data collection

Integration & visualization

Large

Integrated visualization
through Digital Earth system

Satellite image
Base map（Ensured Interoperability）
Provision ofevidence-based information

Spatial scale

Networks of sensors
Urban planning

TwitterSocial media

Dynamic
spatial data

UAV
Info-collection vehicle

Small

Assessment & implementation

・Real-time visualization
・Support for decision making
and consensus building
Social implementation
Information
disclosure

Representation
Open to the public

Monitoring errors, processing errors, methodological diﬀerences, andrepresentation diﬀerences
Understanding and representation of uncertainties

・Support for decision making
at the time of disaster
・Adaptation measures forglobal warmingetc.

Two research areas of Digital EarthIDEAS is engaged in two research areas under the concept of Digital Earth.
(1) Development of technical components for the design and improvement of Digital Earth(2) Case studies of the use of Digital Earth to support decision-making to address complex
systemic problems
Case study : Concept of International Operations Center for Disaster Management Information
Information collection & information support in disaster area

・Conﬁrm activity status of each organizational unit
・Determine disaster situation
・Share simulation results
・Conﬁrm“lifeline”info (critical routes, etc.)
・Collect & verify info from citizens on social media, etc.

Phase 1 (start 2011)“Preparation and vision”
Study group on“International Operations
Center for Disaster Assistance Information”launched to develop state-of-the-art
disaster prevention & reduction platformusing GIS

Phase 2 (start 2013)“Demonstration trials”
Joint research
project on disaster prevention
system based on
GIS with Kasugaicity

Research & development

・Heavy equipment
for disaster response
・Special vehicles・Disaster reduction systems・Sensors
Development of prototypes

Provide equipment
emergency supplies& infoSend / receive info via Internet

Disasterinformation center

Logistics & storage of emergency supplies

・Collect real-time info
from sensors
・Simulations
・Summarize & share info

Phase 3 (start 2016)“Social implementation”
Deployment of state-of-the-art disasterprevention & reduction platform using
GIS in collaboration
with Nagoya City

International Digital Earth Applied Science Research Center

IDEAS

JOINT USAGE・JOINT RESEARCH

Joint usage / research center for Digital Earth to address emerging complex systemic problems
IDEAS has been playing a leading role in conducting and promoting Digital Earth research in Japan since IDEAS
was accredited as the“Joint usage/research center for Digital Earth to address emerging complex systemicproblems”by Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) on April 1, 2014.
Via joint usage / research, we promote research
Purpose and development of Digital Earth, working withresearchers in a wide range of areas, including GIS,remote sensing, information sciences, and socialsciences.

We also make Digital Earth available for researchers who are addressing complex systemic problems such as environmental issues and disasters,in order to advance science in ﬁelds related tobuilding a sustainable society.

●System diagram of joint usage / research center for Digital EarthPhaseⅠ:
Integration of technical components
for Digital Earth

1. Collection andstorage of informationand data
Development oftechnical components
of Digital Earth

2. Processing,integration,
circulation of
information and data

Integration andvisualizationof real-time
big data

3. Support for
decision making

PhaseⅡ：Digital Earth applications to address complex systemic problems
Spatial scale
Large

Small

Resilient Cities

Support systems
for science
communication

Comprehensive
adaptation measures
forclimate change
Global warming andconcensus-building
for use of nuclear
and renewable energy●Research facilities for joint usage / research
Number

Users of Digital Earth Room

1400

1,328

1200
1000

1,012800600
40096557020002014

20152016

2017

Year

The“Digital Earth Room”is one of the prime facilities provided for joint usage / research. The equipment canpresent multiple image inputs on a 15-screen multi-panel display via an image processing server, and can comprehensively show a variety of information transmitted from the Digital Earth server. In recent years this facility
has also been used for disaster management research with local authorities, as well as environmental communication based on citizen science.
Crisis management
info-collection vehicle

equipped with a 360°camera,computer, plotter,satellite Internet link,
and satellite mobile phone line

Unmanned aerial vehicles(ﬁxed-wing and multirotor aircraft)International Digital Earth Applied Science Research Center

IDEAS

JOINT USAGE・JOINT RESEARCH
Research topics from open calls for joint usage / research"Development of real-time sensing data integration methods and standard data models"
Research to develop methods to acquire data from various sensor systems (land, sea,air, space based) then provide and/or utilize the data via web service on OGC standard.
"Construction and analysis of basic data and visualization of uncertainty "Category1:
Integration oftechnical components forConstruct and analyze basic information on urban areas (e.g., population), and/or
establish methods to comprehensively visualize/display uncertainty.

"Development of science communication systems"

Digital Earth
Research to develop open, evidence-based communication methods and provide information using multiscreen Digital Earth Room.
"Big data analysis and application of artiﬁcial intelligence (AI) and/or machine learning to Digital Earth"
Research on dynamic big data analysis methods and their application to complex sys-(1) Speciﬁc project

temic problems, and/or research on decision-making support using AI with DigitalresearchEarth.
"Digital Earth applications for disaster prevention and reduction"
Research to design and develop disaster prevention and reduction information services
by gathering, analyzing and integrating disaster information (e.g., earthquake, tsunami,and torrential rain) using Digital Earth.
Category2:
Digital Earthapplications toaddress complex systemic"Digital Earth applications for environmental and energy-related issues"
Research to demonstrate and test the use of Digital Earth to address complex systemic
problems relating to the environment and/or energy.

problems"Digital Earth applications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) indicators"
Research to integrate information into Digital Earth to visualize and assess progresswith the SDGs and global indicators.

Collaborative research with IDEAS researchers (topic can be determined by applicant but(2) General researchshould be related to Digital Earth).

(3) Research meeting

Research meeting held collaboratively with IDEAS researchers (the topic can be determined by applicantbut should be related to Digital Earth).

●Participation in joint research: institutes, researchers, adopted projects
NumberParticipating institutes
41252014

4738272015

Participating researchers

61728696

Adopted projects

929201620172018

201420152016

2017

2018

2014

22222320162017

2018

112015

YearMEMBERS
NameTitle

Director

FUKUI Hiromichi

Professor

Faculty

TAKEJIMA Kiyoshi

Associate Professor

SUGITA Satoru

Associate Professor

YASUMOTO Shinya

Senior Assistant Professor

HONDA Kiyoshi

Professor

College of Engineering

FUJIYOSHI Hironobu

Professor

College of Engineering

WATANABE Nobuya

Associate Professor

College of Humanities

Aﬃliated FacultyAﬃliated ResearcherSteering Committee

Aﬃliation

IZUTSU Jun

Associate Professor

College of Engineering

KAWAMURA Shinya

ResearcherChubu Institute for Advanced Studies

TAKEDA Makoto

Professor

College of Engineering

MINAMI Motoyasu

Professor

College of Bioscience and Biotechnology

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第１学生
駐車場

立体
駐車場

NonamiEast Gate

Auditorium andIndoor Sports Gym(Main Arena)

西門

Main
GroundOutdoor Stage
Miura Memorial
LibraryBldg.No.2
Bldg.No.21 InformationSystemsBldg.No.22 Center

Moter Bike
Parking

Chubu Institute for Advanced Studies
Chubu University
1200 Matsumoto-cho, Kasugai, Aichi 487-8501, JAPAN

Phone：（+81）568-51-9959（Oﬃce） Fax：（+81）568-51-4736
Email：gis@oﬃce.chubu.ac.jpta

中部大学春日丘中学校

線
西門南出口

eiAkaike

Nagoya Port

Central Japan
International Airport
至 名古屋

yamae
Lin
insu aet M
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M go
LinNaainM
idoka

Approx. 10 min by Meitetsu busmNagoya I.C.

Chubu University
Nagoya Campus

ToApprox. 10 min by Meitetsu bus

Tsurumai至 多治見
Kana-Takabata

ToImaike

JRJR Chuo Line Kozoji Station
Meitetsu bus for Chubu Daigaku

Hatta

Chikusa

Meitetsu Airport Line

JR Chuo Line Jinryo Station
Meitetsu bus for Chubu UniversityntKi

Li号Approx. 20 min by rapid train

To Kanie

Approx. 20 min by local train

etsugNane

国JR Kanayama Stationaoy

Meitetsu Line Kanayama Station

Kamimaezu

19Approx. 26 min by rapid train

NagoyaJRe
Kansai Main Lin

道Meitetsu Airport Line Central Japan International Airport Station

Sakae

Founder’s
Bust

ResearchCenter

Miura Kohei
Memorial HallMain Gate

Bldg.No.1
Guests’Parking
Guests’Parking
Bike Parking

Matsumoto-choBus Stop

Matsumoto-cho South