JapanIntroduction

to play an essential role in various

realize the Post-2025 GEO Strategy "Earthinfrastructure monitoring, agriculturalapplications, such as disaster response,

Japan is moving forward with efforts toIntelligence for All." In order to utilize EarthIntelligence, we are not only conducting Earthobservation, but also sharing data,applications, and so on.

2. GOSAT (Greenhouse gases Observation
SATellite) series: The GOSAT series hasdeveloping capacity building, andbeen observing CO 2 and methaneR

strengthening international cooperation inconcentration in the atmosphere since

the Asia-Oceania (AO) region. In this report,

2009. GOSAT’s data is utilized in climate

we introduce some of Japan’s efforts for thechange research and policies globally,

development of Earth observation and Earth

including the IPCC AR6 report which

Intelligence by making use of our strengths.

references 24 GOSAT-related papers. The

Ministry of Environment Japan (MOEJ)

supports Asian countries to help improve

Importance of Continuous Observation andthe precision and transparency of their

Data Sharing

emission reports by comparing GOSAT

Through long-term Earth observation, Japanobservation data with their GHG

has gained critical insights into climate

inventory reports. For example, thechange and disaster risk reduction. For theMongolian government supported byAO region to tackle these challenges, Japanthe MOEJ, reported “excellent

has been promoting the sharing of ouragreement” between GOSAT observation

continuous observation data.

and their national estimates of CO 2

Notable examples of Japan’s contributions

Rinclude:1.

R

inventory in BUR2 published lastNovember.

ALOS (Advanced Land ObservingSatellite) series: The Japan AerospaceR

Exploration Agency (JAXA) has been

Initiatives for Earth Intelligencevarious optical and SAR archived datacooperation in the AO region. These efforts

of contributing to a sustainable andEarth Intelligence:

providing free and open access toacquired by the ALOS series with the aim
resilient society.

On 1 July 2024, Japan launched theALOS-4 which has taken over the missionof ALOS-2. ALOS-4 has a 4 times wider
observation swath than ALOS-2, whichenables coverage of a wider area on

Earth over a certain period. It is expected

Japan takes initiatives beyond international
contribute to the creation and provision of1.

BISMal (Biodiversity Information Sharing
Mechanism for Asia and thePacific): Japan operates BISMaL, a system
for integrating marine biodiversity

information around Japan. BISMaL has

now accumulated about 60,000 marine

taxonomic information details and morethan 4 million biological occurrence

Significance of Capacity Building

OBIS, the largest global database on

utilization of Earth observation data to tackle

records. These data are provided tomarine biodiversity and are also used toestablish and manage Marine Protected
Areas in Japan.

In 2023-2024, BISMaL started tointegrate with Japanese local

governments based on FAIR data

Developing skilled professionals is crucial for
global challenges and to deliver EarthIntelligence. Programs such as Japan’s OSSSR (Online Synthesis Systems for

Sustainability and Resilience) train experts inEarth observation utilization and policy
making.

principles (Findable, Accessible,OSS-SR is developed on the Data Integration

constructing a bilateral data flow, local

local disaster risk reduction internationally.

Interoperable, and Reusable). By

governments can easily combine and re-and Analysis System (DIAS) to contribute toFor example, for water-related issues, OSS-SR

analyze their own data with global data.

constructed the Flood Early Warning System

Reference Stations): The Japan

forecasting data, real-time earth observation

2. CORS Network (Continuously Operating
International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

has partnered with the Royal Thai Survey
Department and the Geo-Informatics

and Space Technology Development
Agency to enhance the National

Continuously Operating Reference

Station (CORS) Data Center’s capability

and utilization since 2022. CORS, which

continuously receive position-related

radio signals from the Global Navigation

Satellite System (GNSS), make it possible
to accurately measure positions andon DIAS that integrates and analyzes weather
data, geospatial data and a rainfall-runoff-inundation model. Furthermore, as a platform
for capacity development, a series of e-learning courses are provided through theOSS-SR and they empower local stakeholders
to address water hazards. Those trained
experts take on the role of “facilitators”,

bridging the science community and thelarger society to support policymaking andpublic investment by utilizing Earthobservation data and scientific knowledge.

elevations on Earth (high-precision

Conclusion

infrastructure development using

and Earth Intelligence extends beyondpositioning). This is used to realize

accurate location information, automatic
operation of agricultural machinery(Smart Agriculture), and industrial

promotion using automatic driving
technology in Thailand.

Japan’s commitment to Earth Observations
national boundaries for the Asia-Oceania
region to address regional challenges. By
continuously collaborating with AOGEO

members, we can collectively address global
challenges and create a more informed,
resilient world.