One year of success for Michibiki in Japan
22nd May 2020
According to a recent survey launched by SPAC ([1])/QBIC ([2]), theJapanese GNSS constellation “Michibiki” run and operated by theJapanese government is performing well since going online inNovember 2018.
Because it delivers signals from a Quasi-zenith position, Michibiki
is also dubbed QZSS ([3]) and offers unique free services such as
high accuracy positioning augmentation and short messaging fordisaster mitigation. By 2023 Michibiki will expand from aconstellation of four to seven satellites, ensuring independentsatellite positioning and improved performance with wider
coverage of the Asia Pacific region. Discussions have now started
QZSS.go.jp
on the Roadmap for Michibiki beyond 2023.
A survey targeting QBIC members and contributing organizations
was launched in December 2019 to understand how Michibiki has
penetrated the Japanese market after one year of operation, andwhat are the key challenges and issues for the future of Michibiki.
References:[1] SPAC (Satellite Positioning Research and Application Center): http://
www.eiseisokui.or.jp/en/[2] QBIC (QZSS Business Innovation Council): http://
qbic.eiseisokui.or.jp/council/international-01/[3] QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System): https//qzss.gp.jp/en/
Survey results are summarized as follows:
1.Michibiki is headed to a good start (see fig. 1):• The uptake of Michibiki by business users has dramatically increased
during the one-year period as the number of survey respondents hasincreased.
• More than 10% of business respondents have no plans to use
Michibiki yet, which is almost the same percentage result as one year
earlier. Businesses seem to wait for a better businessenvironment, such as cheaper devices and expected futureservice improvements brought about by the full constellation ofMichibiki in 2023 (see also fig. 5).
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2. The uptake of Michibiki begins in the B2B market segments (seefig. 2):• B2B market segments which have started using Michibiki services
include Survey / Construction / Map / Agriculture, segments which
require high accuracy positioning.
• Meanwhile, uptake is lower in Location Based Services and Disaster
Prevention and Mitigation. Future smartphones equipped withMichibiki unique services such as short messaging functions
could be key to activate these segments.
3. All Michibiki Unique services are gaining ground (see fig. 3):••••

High accuracy services including Centimeter and Sub-meter
accuracy as well as all Michibiki Unique Services are gainingground.
Nevertheless, the number of businesses using commercial RTKGNSS solutions is still larger, partly because Michibiki performance
is not yet as competitive in terms of accuracy and stability.
The number of non-aviation businesses using Japan’s SBAS
services (see note 1) is comparable to the number of SLAS users(Sub-meter Level augmentation Service). SBAS users are
expected to drastically increase with the introduction of highaccuracy and high integrity Dual Frequency Multi
Constellation SBAS (DFMC SBAS) services, adding
authentication services in the near future.
Note 1: Japan’s SBAS named MSAS has been operated by theJapan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) for aviation users.

4. The key to stronger Michibiki penetration is the provision ofcheaper receivers of Michibiki unique services (see fig. 4 and 5):
••
••

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The market calls for cheaper receivers with higher accuracy andstability.
Free, attractive and highly reliable services will spur industrypenetration.
Independent satellite positioning in the near future will encourage
Michibiki users.
Japan has taken the initiative to launch discussions at the ICG(International Committee on GNSS) on the interoperability ofshort messaging for disaster warning and high accuracy
services (GNSS-PPP). This is expected to bring down theprice of Michibiki unique receivers.

5. Service reliability is the No.1 priority for business applications(see fig. 6 and 7):
•••

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For Michibiki users, service reliability is the first priority requirement
followed by accuracy and stability(fig. 6).
Future GNSS services are expected to offer improvements inresiliency/signal authentication and anti-jamming measures (fig. 7).
Signal authentication of Michibiki which is planned to start in
2023 is key to drive penetration in the business segment.
Technical information about the authentication service should
be made available as earliest as possible in order forindustries to be well prepared before service launch.

No Plan
13%

16%

37%
Michibiki/GNSS User
StatusUnder Planning27%
47%

73 Businesses
surveyed, Jan. 2019

In Use60%

152 Businesses
surveyed, Jan. 2020

Space Infra.
Road/Transportation
Aviation/Drone
MaritimeIn Use
Under Planning
No Plan

RailLBS
Security
Agriculture
Civil/Construction
SurveyMap
Disaster Prevention/Mitigation
Receiver/Chip
Consultant
OthersAcademic. Inst., Augmentation
Data Service,
Receiver/Simulator

0510152025
Number of Businesses

Fig.1 Michibiki One Year Success

4/730

Space Infra.
Road/Transportation
Aviation/Drone
Maritime
Rail2020

LBS

2019

Security
Agriculture
Civil/Construction
SurveyMap
Disaster Prevention/Mitigation
Receiver/Chip
Consultant
Others

0%25%50%75%100%

Penetration

Fig.2 Michibiki Penetration by User Segment

Sub-meter Level Augmentation (SLAS)
Centimeter Level Augmentation (CLAS)
Centimeter Class Augmentation (MADOCA)
Satellite Report for Disaster and Crisis Management (DC Report)
QZSS Safety Conﬁrmation Service (Q-ANPI)
Precise Timing

For reference.
Not Michibiki
ServiceSBAS/MSAS
RTK-GNSS/Ground Network
01020304050
Number of Business in use

Fig.3 Michibiki Unique Services in Use

5/7

Attractive Services

Free Charge

Made in Japan

High Reliability

In UseClear Speciﬁcation

Under Planning

Others020406080

Number of Businesses

Fig.4 Why do you choose Michibiki?

Chip & Receiver PricePower Consumption
Positioning Accuracy
Content of Message
Service Stability
Service Availability
Service Integrity
In UseJamming Resiliency

Under PlanningInsuﬃcient Knowledge
Others0102030405060
Number of Answers

7080

Fig.5 What is the issue for Michibiki Application?
6/790

Reliability

Accuracy

Stability

Availability
Under Planning

Continuity

In UseReceiver Penetration

Others01020
Number of Answers

Positioning in Ocean, signal
interoperability, smartphone,overseas….

30

Fig.6 What do you expect 7 satellite Michibiki?

Authentication

Anti-Jamming

Accuracy/Performance improvement

Under Planning
In UseGround Network Utilization

OthersShort messages, DFMC SBAS,Space Volume, smartphone forsurvey, signal from highelevation angle….

05
10
Number of Answers

Fig.7 What do you expect for future GNSS?
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