CARTOGRAPHY IN JAPAN
2007-2011
NATIONAL REPORT TO THE 15TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
THE INTERNATIONAL CARTOGRAPHIC ASSOCIATION

Paris 2011

THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR CARTOGRAPHY OF JAPANTHE JAPAN CARTOGRAPHERS ASSOCIATIONCONTENTS

PREFACE ……………………………………………………………………………………………………..

4

I. ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR CARTOGRAPHY AND RELATEDACADEMIC ASSOCIATIONS ………………………………………………….………………………… 5
1. Activities of the National Committee for Cartography (NCC) ……………………….…………………. 5
2. Activities of the Japan Cartographers Association ……………………………………………………… 6
3. Certification of GIS engineer organized by the GIS Association of Japan (GISA) …………………….. 7
Ⅱ. ACTIVITIES OF MAPPING ORGANIZATIONS ……………………………………………………… 9
1. Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism .. 9
2. Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department, Japan Coast Guard, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,
Transport and Tourism ………………………………………………………………………………...
25
3. National Land Survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism ……………..
26
4. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) ……………………………………………… 27
5. Geological Survey of Japan / National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology(GSJ/AIST) …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 28
6. Technical cooperation ………………………………………………………………………………….. 28
7. Satellite for Cartography: Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) …………………………….... 30
III. ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, MUSEUMS AND LIBRARIES ...
33
1. Public Corporations and Foundations ………………………………………………………………….. 33
2. Museums and Libraries ………………………………………………………………………………… 34
IV. ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ……………………………………………………………

35

V. ACTIVITIES OF PRIVATE SECTOR …………………………………………………………………..

40

2

EDITORIAL BOARD
Chief :
Members:

MORITA Takashi
KUMAKI Yohta
UNE Hiroshi
ISHIHARA Kenichiro
TSUZAWA Masaharu
OTA Morishige
TAKAHASHI Norio

3

PREFACE
This is the National Report of Japan to the 15th General Assembly of ICA and the 25th International
Cartographic Conference in Paris, France, 2011.
The purpose of this report is to introduce the cartographic activities that have taken place in Japan from 2007 to
2011. The contents describe the following:
1. Activities of the National Committee for Cartography and related academic associations
2. Activities of mapping organizations
3. Activities of public corporations, foundations, museums and libraries
4. Activities of local government
5. Activities of the private sector
The cartographic works carried out in Japan over the past four years have been rather remarkable. Not only
have various kinds of digital maps and GISs been published or constructed, but also mobile or ubiquitous map
information systems have been developed.
We hope that the cartographers among the many ICA members will be able to better understand thecartographic works of Japan through this report.

Takashi MORITA, Chairman, The National Committee for Cartography, Science Council of Japan
Yoshihisa HOSHINO, President, The Japan Cartographers Association

4

I. ACTIVITIES OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR CARTOGRAPHY AND RELATEDACADEMIC ASSOCIATIONS
1. Activities of the National Committee for Cartography (NCC)
The NCC is a branch of the Science Council of Japan (SCJ), a governmental organization established in 2006
(http://www.scj.go.jp/en/index.html), which directs Japanese academic research. The SCJ is therefore amember of the International Cartographic Association (ICA), and NCC is a national committee of the ICA.
The members of the NCC are nominated by the SCJ on the application of members and associate members of
the SCJ. The committee currently has six members. The chairman for the current term is Prof. T. Morita, whoseterm runs from 2006 to 2009.
1) Activities of the 13th General Assembly of the ICA, and the 23rd International Cartographic Conference in
Moscow, Russia, in 2007.
A Japanese delegation of 14 members headed by Prof. T. Morita attended the conference. Five maps were
exhibited at the Children’s World Map Exhibition, and around 15 maps were shown at the International Map
Exhibition. Continuation of the Commission on Ubiquitous Mapping proposed by Japan was agreed by thegeneral assembly, and Prof. T. Morita was also nominated to continue his work as the chairman of thecommission.
2) Activities of the 24th International Cartographic Conference in Santiago, Chile, 2009
A Japanese delegation of 7 members headed by Prof. T. Morita attended the conference. Eight papers were
presented and four maps were exhibited at the Children’s World Map Exhibition, and fourteen maps wereshown at the International Map Exhibition.
3) Activities of Japanese members in the ICA Commissions (2007-2011)
The Commission on Ubiquitous Mapping proposed by Japan arranged an international workshop, the Third
International Joint Workshop on Ubiquitous, Pervasive and Internet Mapping (UPIMap2008). This was held in
Shepherdstown, USA, with the ICA Commission on "Maps and the Internet" on September 10-11, 2008
immediately following AutoCarto 2008. The commission has joined also to the ICA Workshop on Theories of
Map Design in the Digital Era, held in Hong Kong, on September 22-25, 2010, and the ICA Workshop on
Online Maps with APIs and Map services organized by the Commission on “Maps and the Internet”, held in
Orlando, USA, on November 19, 2010 immediately following AutoCarto 2010. In both workshops, Japanese
members assisted actively through the presentation of their scientific papers.

Fig. 1-1 Proceedings of UPIMap2008

Fig. 1-2 Participants of UPIMap2008(MORITA Takashi)
5

2. Activities of the Japan Cartographers Association	 The Japan Cartographers Association (JCA) is the only Japanese scientific association whose aims are foradvancement of cartography in Japan. JCA is one of the cooperative academic societies of the Science Councilof Japan (SCJ) and has close partnership with the National Committee for Cartography of the SCJ. 	
 	
 
JCA was established in November 1962 at the time of the First International Cartographic Conference in 1962
in Frankfurt am Main. There are currently about 900 members and the secretariat's office is located in the Japan
Map Center Building in Tokyo. The president is Mr. Y. Hoshino, Former Director-general of the Geospatial
Information Authority of Japan (GSI). 	
 	
 The activity plan and budget of JCA are decided annually at the general assembly, which is usually held in late
February. Concrete actions are operated by the standing committee, which is consisting of 18 members andchaired by Prof. Y. Kumaki of Senshu University.	
 	
 The regular activities of JCA are as follows:	 	
 (1) Annual Scientific Conference	 A two-day conference including a special lecture is held annually in summer or autumn in Tokyo, with about
200 attendees. The mean number of presentations in aural session, poster session and symposia of 2007-2011
conferences is about 40. Proceedings are distributed to all JCA members before the conference. Maps,
geographic information systems and cartographic materials are exhibited at the conference. Exhibitors are theGeospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI), the Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department of theJapan coast Guard and other government organizations as well as commercial sectors.	
 (2) Regional Conference and JCA Workshops	 The regional conference is held once a year, usually in autumn, in a city excluding Tokyo. The number ofattendees of a conference is 40-60. JCA Workshops, mostly a half-day program, are also held three to fourtimes a year.	
 (3) Excursions	 A one-day or two-day excursion are held in conjunction with the annual scientific conference and the regional
conference. The workshops occasionally include an excursion.	
 (4) Commissions	 JCA has eight commissions (see below), some of which correspond to ICA commissions. Each commission
has its own activities directed by the leadership of chairperson. They sometimes plan symposia of the annual
scientific conference or the regional conference, excursions and JCA workshops as well as the commission
workshops. The JCA Commission on Ubiquitous Mapping managed UPIMap2008 (International Joint
Workshop on Ubiquitous, Pervasive and Internet Mapping, 2008), which was held in September, 2008 in
Shepherdstown, USA by the ICA Commissions on Ubiquitous Mapping and on Maps and the Internet.	
 Commission on History of Cartography	 Commission on Cartographic Terminology	 Commission on Children and Cartographic Education	 Commission on Professional Education and Training	 Commission on Marine Cartography 	 Commission on Hypermedia maps	 Commission on Ubiquitous Mapping	 Commission on School GIS Education	 - 6 -	 (5) Publications	 JCA publishes a quarterly journal 'Chizu -- Kukan Hyogen no Kagaku (Map, Sciences of Spatial
Representation). It is composed of scientific papers, various reports, book reviews and news. Each issue has apaper map (occasionally a CD) as an appendage. Since the appendages are selected from unique andnot-easy-to-get materials, JCA members get many interesting maps in this way.	
 (6) Website and Mailing List	 JCA makes its activities public through website (http://www.jmc.or.jp/gakkai/index.html). JCA also operates amailing list, which is useful for exchange of information.	
 (7) Collection of Maps and Relating Materials	
 Maps and various materials relating to maps are collected principally by way of donation or exchange including
those from foreign institutions.	
 (8) Commendation	
 JCA made a regulation of commendation 'JCA Award' in 2006. The first commendation ceremony was held in
the general assembly of 2007 and two JCA members whose scientific papers in Chizu are excellent, a
map-publishing company, a high school teacher, and 56 JCA members who contributed specifically to thepromotion of JCA are awarded.	
 (9) Cooperation with Other Scientific Organizations	 JCA is a member of the Japan Geoscience Union(URL: http://www.jpgu.org/)which is composed of 46
scientific societies in Japan covering geophysics, geology, geography and relating sciences. JCA conducts“Mapping and spatial representation in geoscience” session as one of the regular sessions of the annual meetingof the Japan Geoscience Union. JCA also a member of both the Japanese Geographical Union (URL:
http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/ajg/union/) and the Committee on the Cooperation of Societies of Human andEconomic
Geography
andGeography
Education
(web
page
is
linkedfrom
http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/hgeog/index.html). JCA takes actions for the promotion of cartography and its
education through these unions. JCA supports many events of map exhibition, map contest, workshop, training
course, etc. organized by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI), Japan Map Center, scientificsocieties, local organizations, etc.
(KUMAKI Yohta)
3. Certification of GIS engineer organized by the GIS Association of Japan (GISA)GIS Association of Japan (GISA) established GIS Certification Association (GISCA) under the corporation ofrelated academic societies including JCA in October 2006. The roles of GISCA are the certification of “GIS
Expert” and “GIS Expert Emeritus” to the professional individuals and the certification of GIS education to theacademic and social education organizations. More than 200 people were certified as GIS Expert since thecertification has started. GISCA draws upon the method of GISCI in US and modifies it for Japan to evaluate
GIS professionals.
The title “GIS Expert Emeritus” is presented to the people who have been taking leadership to the field of GIS
more than 25 years, if the certification committee decides the certification by the nomination from GIS relatedorganizations. 13 people shown under have been celebrated since 2010.
(2010)
Toshiro Edamura (Professor Emeritus, Kobe University)
Masao Iri (Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo)
Michio Nogami (Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Metropolitan University)- 7 -	
 

Atsuyuki Okabe (Professor Emeritus, University of Tokyo)
Hiroyuki Kohsaka (Professor, Nihon University)
Teruko Usui (Professior, Nara University)
Etsuo Yamamura (Professor Emeritus, Hokkaido University)
Yuji Murayama (Professor, University of Tsukuba)(2011)
Kenji Ohmasa (Professor, University of Tokyo)
Yosihisa Hoshino (Former Director-general of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI))
Kazuhiko Ohtake (Former Director-general of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI))
Takashi Morita (Professor, Hosei University)
Ryosuke Shibasaki (Professor, University of Tokyo)
GISCA also certifies GIS educations provided by academic and industrial organizations. More than 30
education programs have certified by June 2011.
(http://wwwsoc.nii.ac.jp/gisa/en/ENG_top.html)
	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 	
 (OTA Morishige)- 8 -	 

Ⅱ. ACTIVITIES OF MAPPING ORGANIZATIONS
Most of the cartographic works in Japan is carried out under the Survey Act. Main objectives of the act are tocoordinate various survey works efficiently, to standardize accuracy and to avoid duplicated work.
Survey work is mainly classified into two categories by the act. The first one is the Fundamental Survey
executed nationwide by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI), and the other is the Public
Survey for local governmental projects or special projects which are carried out by other governmental or
public organizations such as the Forestry Agency, the Geological Survey of Japan/National Institute ofAdvanced Industrial Science and Technology (GSJ/AIST), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport andTourism (MLIT), etc.
Preparation of various kinds of charts and nautical publications is carried out by the Hydrographic andOceanographic Department of the Japan Coast Guard, MLIT.

1. Geospatial Information Authority of Japan, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism(1) Topographic Mapping1) Developing and Updating the Digital Japan Basic Map
The Digital Japan Basic Map integrates geographical information on Japan with map information that conforms
well with fundamental geospatial data (see 1.(4) 4) ), ortho image using digital aerial photographs, andgeographical name information which is keywords to search for locations such as names of natural geographic
features and inhabited areas. As it integrates information digitally, it can satisfy needs of various users,
including for highly specialized uses such as national land management and disaster mitigation.
- Map information
Integrating information necessary for land management, such as topography and structure, into
fundamental geospatial data such as roads and buildings to prepare map information for use as the nation's
new basic land information.
The Internet allows for prompt distribution of up-to-date map information.
- Geographical name information
The names of natural geographic features such as mountains, rivers and islands, and names of inhabitedareas such as towns are converted into a database then developed into geographical name information thatcan be used for various purposes. It serves as the base for displaying territories, managing national land
and as a location search key, making it absolutely essential information for promoting the use of geospatial
information.
- Ortho image
The GSI improves ortho images (orthophoto) using digital aerial photographs in the city planning area
and its environs. Ortho images are indispensable for the creation and updating of map information because
map information can be overlaid onto ortho image. They are positioned as a new information infrastructurein the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) society.
2) Large Scale Topographic Maps
In 2003, using technology of aviation laser scanner surveying, the GSI started publication of very detailed andhighly precise DEM (digital elevation model), which grid interval was 5-meter.
Table 2-1 shows the coverage of large and medium scale topographic maps prepared by the GSI during the past
four years.

- 9 -	
 

Table 2-1 Coverage of Large and Medium Scale Topographic Maps by GSI
Title
FY2007
FY2008FY2009
1:10,000
Revision
24 sheets
45 sheets2
2
1:25,000
Revision
372,849 km
372,907 km
372,910 km2
1:50,000
Revision
81 sheets
98 sheets
43 sheets

FY2010372,914 km2-

3) Small Scale Maps
Small scale maps and others published by the GSI are shown in Table 2-2 and Table 2-3 (June, 2011).
Table 2-2 Publication of Digital Maps
Title
DM 2500 (Spatial Data Framework)
DM 5000 (Land use)
DM 25000 (Spatial Data Framework)
DM 25000 (Map Image)DM 25000 (Administrative Boundaries)
DM 25000 (Geo. Names, Pub. Facilities)
DM 25000 (Land condition)
DM 50000 (Map Image)DM 200000 (Map Image)DM 5000000(Combined)
DM 5m Grid (DEM)

DM 10m Grid (DEM (Volcanic Areas))
DM 50m Grid (DEM)
DM 250m Grid (DEM)
The National Atlas of Japan

Area
Urban Planning Area
Metropolitan Area, Kinki Area
All Japan
All Japan
All Japan
All Japan
All Japan
All Japan
All Japan
All Japan and Surroundings
Saitama, Tokyo, Yokohama&Kawasaki, Nagoya,
Kyoto&Osaka, Kochi, Fukuoka, Miyazaki,
Kashiwazaki, Iizuna, Niigata, Sendai, Kobe, Mt.
Kurikomayama
24 Volcanic Areas
All Japan
All Japan
All Japan
DM: Digital Map, DEM: Digital Elevation Model

Table 2-3 Publication of Paper Map Preparation
Title
Number of sheets
1:10,000 Topographic Map
1:25,000 Topographic Map
1:50,000 Topographic Map

1:200,000 Regional Map
1:500,000 District Map
1:1,000,000 Nippon- 10 -	
 

307
4
4355
16
42
1,249
4
130
8
8
3

Size of sheets
52.0 x 73.8 cm
46.0 x 58.0 cm
59.4 x 84.1 cm
46.0 x 58.0 cm
46.0 x 58.0 cm
46.0 x 58.0 cm
78.8 x 109.1 cm
78.8 x 109.1 cm
78.8 x 109.1 cm

1:5,000,000 Japan and its Surroundings
1:25,000 Composite Map
1:50,000 Composite Map
1:100,000 Composite Map

1
2
3
2
4
1

1:300,000 Composite Map

78.8 x 109.1 cm
63.6 x 93.9 cm
63.6 x 93.9 cm
63.6 x 93.9 cm
78.8 x 109.1 cm
78.8 x 109.1 cm(2) Thematic Maps
The GSI is engaged in various kinds of thematic mapping in cooperation with other governmentalorganizations for the purpose of providing basic geographic information for regional development, disasterprevention, etc.
Table 2-4 shows some typical thematic maps prepared and published by the GSI during April 2007 – March
2011.	
 Fig.2-1 and Fig.2-2 shows parts of “Volcanic Land condition map of Mt. Fuji” and “Land condition map
Kochi”, respectively.
The GSI generates digital thematic maps by both digital mapping method and digitization from existing maps.
Table 2-5 shows some typical digital thematic maps prepared and published by the GSI during April 2007March 2011.
The GSI and MLIT promote establishment of portal site for hazard maps produced by local governments. The
GSI provides geographic information, such as land condition, for making various kinds of hazard maps.
Table 2-4 Thematic Mapping by GSI (FY2007 – FY2010)
Type of Map
Scale
Basic volcano map
1:10,000
Volcanic Land condition map
1:10,000, 1:25,000
Land condition map
1:25,000
Lake chart
1:10,000
Active fault map in urban area
1:25,000
Table 2-5 Digital Thematic Mapping by the GSI (FY2007 – FY2010)
Title
Format Item or explanation
Digital Map 5000
JPGIS
Land use for housing, covering the(Land use)three main urban areas of Japan
Digital Map 25000(Land condition)

JPGIS

Land condition- 11 -	 Number of sheets
4
3
18
4
36

Original Source
City Planning Map,
Aerial Color Photograph,etc.
1:25,000 Land ConditionMapFig.2-1

Volcanic Land condition map of Mt. Fuji

- 12 -	
 Fig.2-2

Land condition map “Kochi”- 13 -	 (3) The National Atlas of JapanThe first edition of the National Atlas of Japan compiled by the GSI was published in 1977. The GSI revised
the National Atlas of Japan, Revised Edition, in 1990. Furthermore, the GSI has developed an Electronic Atlas
System for the computer use, and a CD-ROM Atlas was published in 1997.
(4) Development of Geospatial Information Infrastructure1) Basic Act for the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial Information
The government enacted a new law “Basic Act for the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial Information” inMay 2007. The purpose of this Law is to advance policies concerning the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial
Information (hereinafter, “AUGI”) in a comprehensive and well-planned manner by establishing basic
principles and clarifying the responsibilities of State and local governments as well as specifying basic
elements for measures on AUGI, in view of the fact that AUGI is essential in establishing the economy andsociety in which the citizens can lead a safe and quality life at present and in the future. Given that geospatial
information, including geospatial framework information, statistical information and geo-imagery, provides
essential infrastructure for the improvement of the quality of the citizens’ lives and the sound development of
the national economy, AUGI shall be conducted based on the comprehensive and systematic implementation ofpolicies including accurate and proper development and distribution of digital geospatial information,
promotion of technologies like the Geographic Information System (GIS) and Satellite-Based Positioning(SBP), capacity building, enhancement of coordination among State and local governments and related
institutions.
2) Basic Plan for the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial Information
In order to carry out policies concerning AUGI in a comprehensive and well-planned manner, the State
Administration developed “Basic plan for the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial Information” in 2008
(Cabinet decision on April 15, 2008). In the Basic Plan, basic strategies for the policies concerning AUGI,
measures related to GIS and policies related to Space-based Positioning, Navigation and Timing (Space-based
PNT) are stated. The period of the Basic Plan is fiscal year 2008 through 2011. To promote measuresformulated in this Basic Plan, the Action Plan for the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial Information(G-Spatial Action Plan) was enacted in August 2008. Under the G-Spatial Action Plan, the GSI is carrying out
a number of diverse important measures including the improvement, upgrading, provision, and standardizationof geospatial information such as Fundamental Geospatial Data.
3) Metadata and Clearinghouse
In Japan, LCGIS made an agreement to provide Japanese clearinghouse with metadata. Japanese Metadata
Profile (JMP) defines schema for these metadata. Current version of JMP is 2.0 revised in May 2004, and basedon ISO 19115:2003. JMP2.0 is composed of core metadata and additional elements such as keywords or
distribution information to support clearinghouse facilities. From 2008, Japanese central government and local
governments are required to maintain metadata based on JMP2.0, and to submit them to the GSI whenever theysurvey for public project. The GSI adds these metadata to clearinghouse.
Each organization taking part in Japanese clearinghouse maintains one or more node servers which support ISO
23950 as its retrieval protocol. The GSI provides server tools to support the Japanese language environment,
and has operated the Japanese clearinghouse gateway since 2000.
Now there are 23 clearinghouse nodes:- 16 nodes by 7 ministries of the central government- 3 nodes by independent administrative institutions such as universities- 14 -	 - 4 nodes by private companies
The URL of the clearinghouse gateway is http://zgate.gsi.go.jp/, in Japanese.
4) Developing and updating fundamental geospatial data
Maps that accurately represent current land conditions are indispensable for land administration by thegovernment and various socioeconomic activities. The use of ICT -based maps is growing widespread anddemand for digital maps of a larger scale is growing. With the enactment of the Basic Act on the Advancementof Utilizing Geospatial Information in May 2007, the GSI started improving a new common infrastructure, theDigital Japan Basic Map, in addition to starting work on improving and providing fundamental geospatial data.
- Fundamental geospatial data
Fundamental geospatial data are reference information on which the positions of geospatial
information are based. They are common outline map data that anyone can use via GIS. Since 2007, the
GSI has been seamlessly integrating large-scale map data prepared by various organizations to produce
fundamental geospatial data, and providing them via the Internet free of charge.
- Grand design for fundamental geospatial data
Fundamental geospatial data is designed to develop and update through combination of city planning
maps and high-accuracy maps (in legal documents, etc.) possessed by various organizations. By
proceeding with the development of fundamental geospatial data, it should become easier for local
governments to develop legal documents etc., and for the private sector to utilize geospatial information.
To realize it, the GSI has made up the “Grand Design for Fundamental Geospatial Data” about what
fundamental geospatial data should entail and how it should be approached, in order to establish
collaborative and cooperative relationships among relevant organizations.

- 15 -	
 Fig.2-3

Preparation of Fundamental Geospatial Data

5) Digital Japan
Digital Japan is a concept of a virtual space where users can utilize geographical information selecting fromdata sets stored and maintained by different organizations on the internet and integrating them for certain
purpose based on the positional reference data. Digital Japan has various possibilities that enable us to search
and analyze geographical information as an infrastructure, as well as to add information to them on demand ofusers.
To realize Digital Japan, the GSI has launched “Digital Japan Web System” in 2003, which enables us tooverlap many kinds of geographical information on the data developed by the GSI and some local governmentson the Internet. There are over 3,200 sites using this system as of the end of April, 2011. The portal sites’ URLof this system is http://cyberjapan.jp/, in Japanese.
6) Aerial Photographs
The GSI archives more than a million of aerial photographs. This archive covers all over Japan from 1946 tonow, and includes films shot by U.S. Armed Forces until 1957. All photographs are ready for browsing at thecounter in the GSI, and for ordering to copy as physical media. A part of photographs, which are shown in
Table 2-6 (as of April 2011), are also ready for web browsing (Fig.2-4-1, 2-4-2.)
Table 2-6 Internet browsing services of archived aerial photographs
Period (Year)
Number of pictures (Approx.)
1936-1945
17,000- 16 -	 1946-1960
1961-1970
1971-1980
1981-1990
1991-2000
2001-

144,000
138,000
393,000
56,00071,000130,000

	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  	
  Fig.2-4-1 Internet Browser for Aerial Photographs (Search Result)- 17 -	
 Fig.2-4-2 Internet Browser for Aerial Photographs7) ISO/TC 211 (Geographic information/Geomatics)
The GSI has actively participated in ISO/TC 211 since the foundation in view of the importance ofstandardization of geographical information and has promoted to develop Japanese Standards for Geographic
Information (JSGI) in accordance with the ISO geographic information standards.
The latest version of JSGI2.0 was published in March 2002. In addition, to promote use of standards, the GSI
developed the Japan Profile for Geographic Information Standards (JPGIS) in January 2005, as a practicalprofile of JSGI.
JPGIS was renewed based on new standards of ISO/TC 211 in May 2009.
(5) International Activities
1) Global Mapping Project
Global Mapping Project is an international cooperation project of National Mapping Organizations (NMOs)
and partners to develop a set of global geospatial data with verified quality based on consistent specifications.
The project has been steered and promoted by International Steering Committee for Global Mapping (ISCGM)
established in 1996. The GSI serves as ISCGM Secretariat. As of May 2011, 165 countries and 16 regions
participate in the project, and Global Map data of 71 countries and 4 regions, which cover 59.9 % on territorial
basis and 52.5 % on population basis of the whole land, have already been developed and are available forpublic through the Internet from the website of the ISCGM (http://www.iscgm.org) or those of participating
NMOs. The present status of the project is summarized in Fig.2-5.
The GSI is developing not only Global Map data of Japan but also Global Map data of developing countries
mainly in Asia and the Pacific region in cooperation with respective NMO of the region. From 2007-2010,
Global Maps of the following countries have been developed with the assistance of the GSI: Namibia in 2007
and Afghanistan in 2010. In addition, the GSI has developed the Manual for Development and Revision of- 18 -	 Global Map, Global Map Metadata Editor, and Global Map Data Check Software. As ISCGM Secretariat, theGSI will continue to make efforts to implement Global Mapping Project.

Fig.2-5 Present Status of Global Mapping Project2) United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Pacific (UNRCC-AP)
The 18th UNRCC-AP was held at UN Conference Center in Thailand in October 2009 in conjunction with 15th
PCGIAP meeting. Dr. MURAKAMI Hiroshi, Deputy Director of Planning Department of the GSI, wasappointed as a rapporteur. In the plenary meeting, the GSI made a presentation entitled “New NSDI andNational Mapping Policy of Japan”. It introduced new NSDI legislation and development of fundamental
geospatial data in cooperation with local governments.
3) Permanent Committee on GIS Infrastructure for Asia and the Pacific (PCGIAP)
PCGIAP was established pursuant to a resolution of the 13th UNRCC-AP to cooperate in the development of aregional geographic information infrastructure. The GSI took charge of the PCGIAP Secretariat between 2000
and 2006. After that, the GSI has been served as Vice President of PCGIAP since 2006. At the 15th PCGIAP
meeting held in October 2009, the Vice President of PCGIAP was re-elected from the GSI. At the same
meeting, a staff member of the GSI was also re-elected the Chairman of Working Group 1 (WG1, Geodesy
Technology and Applications), and has managed the WG1.
4) Preparatory Meeting of the Proposed United Nations Committee on Global Geospatial Information
Management (GGIM)
The 1st preparatory meeting held in October 2009 in conjunction with 18th UNRCC-AP. In the meeting, the- 19 -	 GSI expressed that it welcomes the UN initiative and is interested in moving it forward for coordinate existing
activities, and cope with major issues. The GSI also attended the 2nd (New York, May 2010) and the 3rd (NewYork, April 2011) preparatory meeting, and has contributed positively to the establishment of GGIM.
(6) Research and Development
1) Application of satellite data and remote sensing
The GSI studies satellite and remote sensing for effective map-making. Development of various sensors ispushed forward, and the GSI begin to take the benefit. The GSI introduce some sensor as below.
a) The High-Resolution Image by Satellite
The 21st century has begun, and the satellite with high resolution optical sensor such as IKONOS andQuickBird were launched, and there are several high resolution satellites in space now. The resolution of
optical sensor of some commercial satellites such as GeoEye and WorldView-2 is about 0.5m.
The GSI has been testing the quality of the GeoEye and WorldView-2 images for making topographic maps oflarge or medium scale. The Advance Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) of Japanese was launched on January
24, 2006 by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The major purpose of the ALOS is to generate
1:25,000 scale map, and the ALOS has the ability of making 1:25,000 scale map without any Ground Control
Points. In addition, the cost of obtaining the image is much lower than commercial satellites. So the GSI has
validated the ALOS data, such as whether the accuracy is enough or not to making 1:25,000 scale map. Thesesatellite imageries were used for revising basic topographic maps such as map of Io To. As the operation of
ALOS was terminated in April 2011, we expect the next satellite with high resolution optical sensor will belaunched for mapping in the near future.

Efficient revision of
topographic maps

Revision of maps
overlaying

ALOS/PRISM
triple line sensor

ortho

imagesDEM

forwardbackward
1/25,000 Topographic mapping

Precisemappingandmeasurement by a DPW

Fig.2-6

Application of ALOS for Topographic Mapping- 20 -	 b) Airborne Laser Survey (LIDAR)
The Airborne Laser Survey is a distance-measuring technology that emits laser beams tens of thousands times
per second as if scanning the earth’s surface and measures the time from their emission till their return to theaircraft after reflecting from objects. The acquisition data are analyzed to make contour map or DEM. This newtechnology can be regarded as a kind of remote sensing. The positional accuracy thus obtained is, in optimal
conditions, reported to be 30 to 50 centimeters in the horizontal direction and 15 centimeters in the verticaldirection, though it is affected by the conditions of topography or vegetation in the target area. In Japan, major
aerial survey companies started adopting the Airborne Laser Survey around 1997 for erosion control site insteep mountains. Making good use of this new technology, the GSI has started to publish the DEM of 5 meter
grid data of plains in some metropolitan area since 2003. Moreover, in 2006, GSI made the‘1:25,000 scalerelief map’ (Fig.2-7) as an example of the DEM of 5 meter grid data practical use. It was developed bysuperimposing topographic map at 1:25,000 scale on the shaded layer tint map generated from the DEM of 5
meter grid data. In addition, several aerial survey companies have individually begun to sell detailed building
data for 3-D model and detailed topographic data.
The GSI has also been conducting studies of applications of LIDAR data. A development of classification
method of landform in large scale for predicting landslides with high density topographic data was done till
2009. This study revealed that slope information obtained by high density LIDAR data plays an important role
for landslide prediction.
The GSI had carried out the study of developing the method of producing landscape-ecological map for
estimation of biodiversity using LIDAR data by the fund of the Ministry of the Environment. The GSI produce
the landscape ecological map consists of three dimensional vegetation structure and micro topography under
the forest using LIDAR data.

- 21 -	
 Fig.2-7‘1:25,000 scale relief map’ (The 23-ward area of Tokyo metropolis)c) SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar)
SAR is the imaging radar which acquires terrain imagery by transmitting microwaves and receiving theirreflection from the earth’s surface. Microwaves can penetrate through vapor so that SAR can observe throughclouds, mists or volcanic fumes. Also as it is an active sensor transmitting microwaves, it can observe even in
the night.
Since the major eruption of Asama volcano on September 1, 2004, GSI has repeatedly carried out AirSAR
measurements around the summit crater, and observed its topographic change (the movement of the eruptedlava). Fig.2-8 shows a combined chart of the cross section of the crater (from northeast to southwest) modified
by using the results of each measurement. Recently, since the eruption of Kirishima Volcano in January 2011,
the GSI has carried out AirSAR measurement around Kirishima Volcano, and estimated the total volume of
sediments in the crater. From the series of these AirSAR observations, it is proved that AirSAR is effective in
observing terrain under volcanic fumes, where ordinary photography is unavailable.
For the utility of spaceborne sensor, the GSI conducted a study for detecting precursor of landslides withInSAR image. This study clarified that active landslides might be expressed as changes in color in InSAR
image. This study also pointed that individual movement of certain landslide block more than 200 meterssquare can be detected with InSAR image in some cases.

- 22 -	
 Fig.2-8

Change of topography in the summit crater of the Asama volcano

2) Application of geospatial information
The GSI has been conducting various kinds of study for the purpose of advancement of utilization of geospatial
information.
An example is a study on application of time-serial geographic information such as outdated topographic maps
and aerial photos. In this study, the GSI verified the positioning accuracy of outdated topographical maps, anddeveloped the method of colorizing of old monochrome aerial photos taken just after the World War Two. The
GSI also developed the method for detection of the artificial topographical changes by creating and comparing
time-serial DEMs using aerial photos of different age.
Another example is a study on the temporal geospatial dataset. The GSI produced the temporal geospatial
dataset of a part of Tsukuba City close to Tsukuba Express. Using each year’s geospatial data generated from
temporal geospatial dataset, the researchers of the GSI tried temporal spatial analysis between human impacts
such as development of new traffic network and land surface change such as land use change or increase ofbuildings. It is possible to perfume temporal spatial analysis effectively using temporal geospatial dataset if
dataset is revised at short intervals.
(7) Public Relations
1) Science Museum of Maps and Survey
This museum was established in the GSI, Tsukuba City in 1996. It includes two exhibition rooms, thePermanent Exhibition Room and the Special Exhibition Room where special thematic exhibitions are held
irregularly. As a special exhibition, "Exhibition of Excellent Maps made by the Children and Pupils of thePrimary and Secondary Education of the Whole Country" has been held annually since 1998, gathering
selected excellent maps from the similar local map exhibitions and aiming to diffuse map education, topopularize maps and to make a network of the teachers and researchers of map education.
2) Children's Map Competitions
There exist more than ten local groups of teachers organizing children's map competitions. The oldest one hascelebrated its 49th anniversary. Eight groups established a coordinating committee in 1998, and hold a joint
exhibition once a year at the Science Museum of Maps and Surveys of the GSI. A public foundation promotes acompetition of children's work called My Town Map Concours. From 1999, applicants have had to send their- 23 -	 maps in CD-Rs or MOs or send them through the Internet.
3) Exhibition of Ino's Maps
207 sheets of a large-scale map series of Japan were discovered in the Library of Congress of the US in 2001.
The map series was surveyed by Ino Tadataka (1745-1818), most of them had been thought to be lost forever.
The GSI, supported by some concerned parties, made a precise replica by taking high-resolution digital
photographs of them and printing the digitized image. The GSI and the parties established a committee topromote exhibitions of these maps in Japan. The exhibitions started from 2004 till now.

Fig.2-9 A part of Ino’s large-scale Map Replica, No.90 (Hachioji, about 25 miles west from Edo)
(8) Disaster Measures
The archipelago of Japan is often struck by natural disasters including earthquakes, floods, and eruptions of
volcanoes, which could be disastrous. It is one of important tasks of GSI to provide data for disaster prevention
and mitigation as well as for formulation of countermeasures against those hazards.
On 11th March 2011, a gigantic earthquake of Richter scale of magnitude 9.0 occurred off the Pacific coast of
Tohoku, north east region of Japan. The coast stretching over 500 km were struck by large tsunamis, including
cases of entire village and city being washed away. This disaster, “the Great East Japan Earthquake”, hascaused 23,000 death or missing persons as of 16th June 2011. Just after the earthquake occurred, GSI has set up
headquarters and started various activities to understand the geodetic and geographic situations of the disasterand provide geospatial data necessary for countermeasures. GSI has carried out such works as analyses of GPS
continuous observation data and earth observation satellite data on crustal deformation, restoration of control
points, aerial photo taking (Fig.2-10), production of ortho-photo images, compilation of special topographic
maps for countermeasures, preparation of detailed DEM by airborne laser survey, photo interpretation andmapping of tsunami-inundated areas and production of large scale base maps for recovery planning. The dataobtained as a result of those works were promptly made available and released to organs concerned, the press
as well as the general public, through the GSI home page.

- 24 -	
 Fig.2-10 Aerial Photos of Damaged Area by the Tsunamis (a part of Sendai City)
Left: before the Earthquake (taken in October 2006) Right: after the Earthquake (taken on 12th March 2011)
Quoted from GSI home page (http://saigai.gsi.go.jp/h23taiheiyo-ok/hikaku/index.html)

2. Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department, Japan Coast Guard, Ministry of Land,
Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism(1) Publication of nautical charts and aeronautical charts
Revisions and corrections of nautical charts are based on the results of the hydrographic surveys. The
publication from 2007 to 2010 is as follows. 	
 	
 Table 2-8 Number of Nautical Charts and Other Charts	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
2007	
 
2008	
 
2009	
 
2010	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
New Chart	
 
24	
 
34	
 
8	
 
14	
 
Nautical Chart
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
New Edition
108	
 
77	
 
67	
 
83	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
New Chart
0	
 
0	
 
1	
 
1	
 
Aeronautical Chart	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
New Edition
2	
 
3	
 
3	
 
3	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
New Chart
64	
 
78	
 
18	
 
1	
 
Electronic Navigational Chart	
  	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
New Edition
0	
 
0	
 
705	
 
0	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
1) Nautical charts
Middle and larger scale charts are published, mainly for ships under international trades to access to harbours. 	
 2) Aeronautical charts- 25 -	 1/1,000,000 series of international aeronautical charts and 1/1,000,000 series of aeronautical route charts are
published according to the standard of International Civil Aviation Organization. 	
 3) Electronic navigational charts
To cater for the phased mandatory carriage requirement of ECDIS to the ships under international navigation in
and after 2012, the existing ENCs has been supplemented with the data that improves convenience andreliability. Electronic Notices to Mariners are edited to update such ENCs.	
 	 (2) Hydrographic surveys
Hydrographic surveys by JHOD from FY2007 to FY2010 for chart publication are as follows. 	
 	
 Table 2-9 Number of Hydrographic Surveys	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
FY2007	 FY2008	 FY2009	 FY2010	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
Coastal Survey	
 
6	
 
9	
 
5	
 
3	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
Harbour Survey	
 
1	
 
1	
 
‐	
 
2	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
Correction Survey	
 
179	
 
224	
 
232	
 
199	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
	
 
1) Coastal surveys
Coastal surveys aim to obtain data for new publication or new edition of coastal charts. 	
 2) Harbour surveys
Harbour surveys aim to research progress of harbour improvement and to obtain data for new publication or
new edition of harbour charts. 	
 3) Correction surveys
Correction surveys aim to obtain data for chart updates such as local depths, low tidal lines or cancellation ofreport soundings. 	
 4) Airborne laser surveys
Airborne laser surveys aim to obtain data to develop coastal zone infrastructural information. 	
 
	
 
	
 
3. National Land Survey by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
The National Land Survey of Japan has been carried out under the direction and guidance of the Ministry ofLand, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT). The objective of the survey is to contribute to thepromotion of effective use and conservation of national land. To reveal the present condition of national land,such as land ownership and its utilization, is another objective of this survey. It is expected to be based on the
National Land Survey Act which was enacted in 1951, when the survey was initiated. This survey had notbeen promoted well, and in an attempt to do so, the acceleration Act, named The Act on Special Measures for
Promotion of the National Land Survey was enacted in 1962. Three major items form the core of this survey;
the land classification survey, the water use survey and the cadastral survey.
1) Land classification Survey and Water Use Survey
A land classification survey is the survey of the topographical and geological features, soil, and present landuse. The results are compiled into atlases and books. A water use survey aims at investigating the basic
statistics of a river, such as annual rainfall, discharge, present water utilization for farming or drinking andgroundwater.
In the land classification survey, MLIT had developed a computerized mapping method in which a specific- 26 -	 device, controlled by computer, can draw a colored map. By this method, one can easily identify various
kinds of data related to land classification.
The above mentioned surveys are compiled into atlases and books as follows:a) Land classification maps (Geomorphological map, Surface geology map, Soil map, Present land use map,and Land use capability classification map), overlays (such as slope map) and an Explanatory data book.
b) Land conservation maps (Natural condition map, Present land use and vegetation map, Natural disasters map,
Land use tendency and designated areas map, Control and designated area for disaster prevention map,
Valuable natural and cultural assets distribution map, Basic conservation map) and Explanatory data book.
c) Water use maps and a descriptive catalogue of available information on major river system.
d) Groundwater maps and Explanatory data book.
e) Groundwater data ledger.
2) Cadastral Survey
The cadastral survey aims at clarifying the location, boundary, ownership, lot number, acreage, and current
status of land use of each parcel. Local governments, such as prefectural and municipal governments, carry out
the survey. They transact such affairs as planning the survey project, making contact with a surveying
company, and supervising. MLIT plays a role in the survey by giving local governments a 50% subsidy of thetotal cost and some technical guidance as well. The executive body only has to share 1/20 of the total cost,
since a special grant is given to the survey by the Japanese government. Because of present austere budget
conditions, the progress of the survey has suffered a sharp curb. The progress of this survey at the end of
FY2010 is as follows:・	
 Completed cadastral survey: 141,226 km2 (1951-2010)
・	
 Progress ratio: 49% (Target acreage of the survey: 286,200 km2)
The cadastral survey consists of the following stages; supplementary survey, detailed on-the-spot survey,
measuring the acreage of each parcel, and making atlases and books. The supplementary survey comprises
the control point survey which is to set up control points for cadastral surveying. The establishment of thesecontrol points is carried out by GSI. Scales of cadastral atlases differ from case to case depending on themean acreage of a parcel. Scales of 1:250, 1:500, 1:1,000, 1:2,500, or 1:5,000 are used. Of these, the scalesof 1:500 and 1:1,000 are the most commonly used. The required accuracy of measurement is classified into
six types depending on the land use pattern.
Copies of cadastral maps and books are bound to be sent to registry offices after having been checked for
accuracy and obtaining the legal approval of MLIT, or, in some cases, from the prefectural governor, to replace
the old maps which were prepared about 100 years ago and are still used for levy and land registration.

4. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF)(1) Large Scale Topographic Maps
The Forestry Agency began promoting a similar project in mountainous areas as the National Large Scale
Topographic Mapping Project by GSI, for the purpose of producing a Basic Forest Map (BFM) as the basis forsurveying forests. The project covering mountainous areas was completed in 1980. Currently the Forestry
Agency is promoting revision work of the existing Basic Forest Map.
Currently Forestry Agency is promoting Forest GIS (Geographic Information System) and digital mapping
work of Forest Planning Maps

- 27 -	 (2) Soil Maps
Soil maps in Japan are roughly divided into two categories; for cultivated lands and for forest lands. They areprepared by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
A 1:50,000 scale map series of soil types and productivity of cultivated lands has been prepared by the
Agricultural Production Bureau since 1959, and the entire area of cultivated land, 51,000 km2 in all, is covered.
A 1:20,000 or a 1:50,000 scale map series of soil types in national forests has been prepared by the Forestry
Agency since 1947. 65,000 km2 were covered by this series. This agency has also prepared a 1:50,000 scale
map series of soil types for many private forests.

5. Geological Survey of Japan / National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology(GSJ/AIST)(1) Geological Maps
GSJ/AIST has published most of geologic maps which cover the Japanese islands on scales of 1:50,000,
1:200,000, 1:1,000,000, 1:2,000,000 and 1:500,000. A series of basic geologic maps published by GSJ/AIST is
prepared on the scale of 1:50,000. This basic series was once prepared on the scale of 1:75,000 and the scale
was changed to 1:50,000 in 1952. The coverage over the land becomes 927 sheets published out of 1274
(74.1 %) at scale of 1:50,000 and 124 sheets published out of 124 (100 %) at scale of 1:200,000.
In addition, 16 geologic maps of volcano (1:25,000, 1:50,000, 1:100,000), 7 mineral resources maps
(1:500,000), 41 hydrogeological maps (1:25,000, 1:50,000, 1:100,000), 28 gravity maps (1:200,000), 44
aeromagnetic maps (1:25,000, 1:50,000, 1:100,000, 500,000) and many other thematic maps were also
published until 2010. Compiling these basic geologic maps and other geologic information, GSJ/AIST
published smaller scale maps. The representative products are “Rupture probability map of major active faults
in Japan” as Tectonic Map No.14 and “Interactive Geological Hazard Map of East and Southeast Asia,
GeoHazardView version 2” as Digital Geoscience Map G-11.
(2) Marine Geology
GSJ/AIST has been engaged in marine geological and geophysical investigation of the sea around the JapaneseIslands, the western and central Pacific Ocean and the Antarctic sea. The investigation comprises basic studies
of marine geology, mineral resources and geophysical prospecting, including sedimentological andenvironmental study of lacustrine and coastal areas. Marine geological maps (8 sheets) on the scale of 1:
1,000,000 covering the Japanese islands were published and a series of marine geological maps on the scale of
1: 200,000 (32 sheets of geological map and 30 sheets of sedimentological map) has been published around themain Japanese Islands. Since 2002, marine geological maps on the scale of 1: 200,000 (9 sheet of gelogical
map and 7 sheet of sedimentological map) have been published as CD-ROM.

6. Technical cooperation
In order to provide technical assistance and implement the transfer of technology in the field of cartography,
GSI, JHOD, GSJ/AIST and other bodies are actively engaged in various technical cooperative projects,
implemented by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which is commissioned by the Ministry ofForeign Affairs. Technical cooperative activities in the fields of surveying, mapping, hydrography,
oceanography and geoscientific research can be grouped into three categories: namely, acceptance of trainees,
dispatch of experts and cooperative projects.

- 28 -	 (1) Training
1) Training Courses in Surveying and Mappinga) Group Training Course in Planning and Management of National Mapping and Surveying (JICA)
At the Second United Nations Regional Cartographic Conference for Asia and the Far East held in Tokyo in
1958, the importance of professional education in surveying and mapping for technical personnel of developing
countries was recognized. As an outcome of this conference, Japan started, after a five-year preparation
period, a group training course in surveying and mapping in 1963. The curriculum of the course has beenreconsidered and improved when necessary.
Especially in 1992, this group training course was largely reorganized to cover all fields of surveying andmapping technology, which had shown rapid progress, including geodesy, photogrammetry, cartography andmap reproduction as well as Global Positioning System (GPS), Geographic Information System (GIS) andremote sensing.
This course was completed with a total of 371 participants from 62 countries, and was succeeded by a grouptraining course in Planning and Management of National Mapping and Surveying in 2000. The new course isdesigned to support developing countries or regions to learn good practices of survey administration andproject management, namely, laws and regulations, project planning and management, education anddissemination of information.
b) Group Training Course in Global Mapping (JICA)
A new group training course “Global Mapping-Contribution to Global Mapping Development by GIS” started
in 2004 succeeding the former group course “Global Mapping” from 1999-2003. The new course aims at
capacity building to promote Global Mapping project through transferring technologies of remote sensing and
Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
c) Individual Training
The individual training program is prepared in order to meet the needs of each trainee and his/her homegovernment. The training period lasts one to six months.
2) Hydrographic survey and nautical charting
Lectures and practical and field trainings are provided to the trainees from developing countries to giveknowledge and skill on information management for maritime activity and disaster prevention. 	
 3) Training Courses in Geosciences
Technical training of personnel in geoscience from developing countries is conducted as part of the technicalactivities at Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ/AIST), and GSJ accepts researchers in the general fields ofgeology, geoinformation and geo-engineering.
(2) Dispatching of Technical Expertsa) Experts in Surveying and Mapping
In 1964, GSI sent out four senior staff members to survey the national boundaries between Saudi Arabia andadjacent countries. Since then, GSI has sent more than 300 senior, experienced engineers as technicalassistance experts. Short-term experts, who generally remain from several weeks to two months, carry out
particular projects based on requests to the Government of Japan from the recipient governments, while
long-term experts stay longer than one year and cooperate with their host governmental organization by
providing technical assistance.

- 29 -	 b) Experts in Geosciences
The GSJ/AIST is involved in technical cooperation programs of the Japanese Government. The activities of theSurvey personnel in the geo-scientific and geo-technical assistance programs cover a broad spectrum of thegeosciences, not only for mineral and energy resources but also for groundwater management, environment,
environmental geology, geohazards, and geoinformation technology.
(3) Cooperative Projects
1) Mapping Projects
In 1971, Japan started its first overseas mapping project in Indonesia to prepare national base maps of thatcountry. Mapping projects in developing countries are conducted as technical cooperation by JICA. The
role of the GSI in these overseas mapping projects is to give advice to both the authorities concerned in Japan
as well as in the recipient countries on all aspects of surveying and mapping of the projects, and to supervise
the survey project.
The projects are, in general, assigned to a survey company in Japan, by JICA for implementation. GSI
provides technical guidance through the Advisory Committee and other meetings with authorities concerned.
Most of the projects are to prepare topographic maps as national base maps. In some cases, thematic maps
such as land use maps are also made.
2) Geoscientific Research Projects
Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ/AIST) is actively engaged in international geoscience programs incollaboration with many foreign countries. Japan belongs to the region of East Asia where recent economic
growth is very rapid, hence we are facing with some global science issues stemming from the social changes,
such as environmental protection, mitigation of natural hazard, not to mention the geological assessment/exploration of energy and mineral resources.
Seeking the solutions for these issues through an international research network is one of the important goals of
GSJ’s research programs.

7. Satellite for Cartography: Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS)
On January 24, 2006, ALOS was launched from the Tanegashima Space Center of the Japan Aerospace
Exploration Agency (JAXA) into a sun-synchronous orbit of a medium height of 691.5km with a 46-dayrecurrent cycle, carrying three high-resolution optical and microwave sensors. This satellite aims to monitor thedetails of the land surface features frequently and quantitatively for four major application themes: Generationof 1:25,000 geographical maps, regional observations for environmental monitoring, information distribution
for disaster mitigation, and resource exploration. To accomplish these mission objectives, ALOS carries three
instruments: the Panchromatic Remote-Sensing Instrument for Stereo Mapping (PRISM), the Advanced Visible
and Near-Infrared Radiometer 2 (AVNIR-2), and the Phased-Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar(PALSAR).
In the first four months after launch (Jan. 24 to May 15, 2006), the commissioning phase for satellite
functioning and validation followed, comprising the first image acquisitions of each the three sensors,
exhibiting representative performance of the sensors, even when not calibrated, and predicting forthcoming
valuable land information that would be acquired. The commissioning phase was succeeded by the initial
calibration phase for sensor calibrations between May 16 and Oct. 23, 2006. This phase was successful, and theoperational phase started on Oct. 24, 2006.
Presently in the operational phase, ALOS is programmed to collect worldwide data in a systematic and- 30 -	 repeated manner based on a predetermined mission observation plan, as well as to respond to urgent user
requests to rapidly acquire data over disaster-stricken regions. Observation repeatability and the combined useof radar and optical sensors enable multi-spectrum monitoring of land surfaces, such as interferometricmonitoring of surface deformation, caused by earthquake-driven phenomena and volcanic activities; biospheremonitoring of the pan-tropical and boreal forest regions; cryophilic research in the polar region for ice sheet
flow rate estimations; and ocean surface monitoring.
Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is an all-weather sensor suitable for repetitive monitoring and with its longwavelength L-band SAR on board ALOS specifically useful for land covers monitoring, owing to its highsignal penetration through vegetation-covered targets and sensitivity for detecting deforestation and forest
inundation. To this end, JAXA is leading an international global monitoring project - the ALOS Kyoto &Carbon Initiative - in collaboration with some 20 organizations and research institutes worldwide.
While medium resolution optical imagers onboard polar orbiting satellites, such as e.g. Terra MODIS,ADEOS-II GLI and ADEOS, are often used to monitor the global state and changes in the atmosphere, oceans
and on land, high resolution SAR sensors enables retrieval of different geophysical parameters under all
weather conditions and with other observation aspects. The geophysical parameters relevant for SAR are thescientific parameters for solid earth, biosphere and cryosphere, and are represented by e.g. crustal deformation,
biomass estimation and snow and ice cover changes in the Polar Regions. PALSAR and the two optical sensors
onboard ALOS feature high radiometric and geometric performances, and through a long observation capacityof 11 hours daily can collect long time-series for global monitoring of water, carbon and climate change
parameters. JAXA is performing forest- and wetlands monitoring to assess the status of the water cycle inwetlands, forest coverage and estimation of biomass volumes, as well as seasonal monitoring of the Polar
Regions.
The size of the ALOS is roughly 9m in length and 28m in width and its mass is 4,000kg. In-orbit configurationof the ALOS is shown in Fig.2-11 and Table 2-10 shows ALOS’s typical characteristics.

Data	
 Relay	 Communication	
 Antenna	 （φ1.35ｍ）

PALSAR (8.9m x 3.1m)

Solar Array Paddle (22m long)

PRISM

AVNIR-2

Fig. 2-11 ALOS in orbit configuration- 31 -	 Table 2-10
Item
Orbit
Altitude
Recurrent period
Inclination
Generated power
WeightData recorder
Data link

ALOS characteristics.

Characteristics
Sun synchronous, Sub recurrent
691.65 km
46 days, sub-cycle: 2 days
98.16 degree
More than 7 kW (end of life)
Approx. 4,000 kg
96 G bytes, solid-state
240 Mbps (via DRTS)
120 Mbps (direct down link)

ALOS has collected almost 1 peta byte during the five-year life using the DRTS and TDRS. PALSAR data
observed the terrestrial coverage 30 times by now. Using these data sets, environmental monitoring on theforest, wetland, coastal ocean, solid earth, ice glaciers, and DTM are on-going. DSM generation using the
PRISM is in progress for Japan, Alaska, and Thailand. Due to the weather condition, even the five-year data
observation had the incomplete coverage of the data provision. The Fig. 2-12 shows the Bird-eye view of thelandscape made by the PRISM DSM and nadir PRISM over the Himalaya region.
ALOS emergency observation was conducted for the Great East Japan Earthquake and the related disaster areaof March 11 2011. Newly acquired data of PALSAR, AVNIR-2, and PRISM and their archives are used. The
main goal was to detect the changes caused by the earthquake and the related tsunami. As soon as the data wereacquired, data analysis was conducted and provided to the authorized users. After the earthquake, observation
was conducted over 42 days. Unfortunately, the ALOS mission was terminated on April 22, 2011, due to power
supply failure. After that, JAXA monitored the condition of ALOS in case it could be recovered. However,
ALOS operation was stopped on May 12, 2011. ALOS was one of the most successful satellites in JAXA andpossibly in the world. JAXA is now preparing ALOS-2 for a 2013 launch.

Fig. 2-12. Bird’s eye view of the Himalaya region,
generated from PRISM nadir view image
overlaid on PRISM derived digital surface model.
(Editors: UNE Hiroshi, ISHIHARA Jyunichiro)- 32 -	
 III. ACTIVITIES OF PUBLIC CORPORATIONS, FOUNDATIONS, MUSEUMS AND
LIBRARIES
1. Public Corporations and Foundations* Special Member of the Japan Cartographic Association(1) Japan Map Center (JMC)*	 Main responsibilities of JMC are to distribute Japanese official maps and geo-spatial information produced by
the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan (GSI), to provide information service and books on geo-spatial
data, to hold and promote exhibition and training programs, to conduct research and development on
cartography and GIS, and to keep and distribute “maps” for urgent operations in a case of natural a disaster.
JMC and Japan Geographic Data Center jointly hold Certification Examinations on Map and Geography.
(2) Japan Hydrographic Association (JHA)*	 JHA supplies services such as reproduction and distribution of the Japanese official nautical charts,
aeronautical charts, electronic navigational charts and other hydrographic publications issued by the
Hydrographic and Oceanographic Department of Japan Coast Guard (JHOD/JCG). It also promotes Marin
Information Services and conducts research and development on oceanography.
(3) Map Association*	 The members of Map Association are wholesalers and retailers of the Japanese official maps that are producedby the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan. Cooperating with the Japan Map Center, it plays animportant role in smooth and rapid distribution of the maps.
(4) Mapping Enterprises Association Japan*	 Mapping Enterprises Association Japan was established by mapping companies for the purpose of promoting
sound development of mapping industry. It runs a web museum, “Mapping Museum”, which displays the maps
collected by the members companies.
(5) Japan Digital Road Map Association (DRM)*	 DRM produces and provides digital road map database for administrative use and for car navigation.
Digital road map database is vital for the basis for intelligent transport systems (ITS) as well as various systems
for road management.
(6) Japan Association of Surveyors (JAS)*	 JAS is an organization for survey technicians active in the Government, Academia and Industrial Corporations.
The main purposes are contribution to, dissemination and advancement of surveying technology. It holds anannual exhibition on Geo-spatial Information.
(7) Association of Precise Survey and Applied Technologies (APA)*	 APA carried out research and development of precise survey and mapping, examinations and tests ofleading-edge survey technologies and innovation of applied survey technology. It also actively commits tovarious projects by the national and local governments.
(8) Japan Geographic Data Center*	 Japan Geographic Data Center collects information about geographic names and population data around Japanand provides them in the form of database and booklets. It also holds Certification Examination of Map andGeography with Japan Map Center.
(9) Japan Construction Information Center (JACIC)	
 JACIC carries out surveys and research on information systems, including GIS, in the construction field andprovides construction information service.
(10) Infrastructure Development Institute -Japan (IDI)
IDI promotes intentional assistance in the infrastructure development of developing countries that are essential- 33 -	 to the nations' economic development as well as to the safety and comfort of their citizens.

2. Museums and Libraries(1) GSI / Science Museum of Map and Survey	
 Science Museum of Map and Survey was established in 1996. It is the adjunct facilities of the Geospatial
Information Authority of Japan. It has three main facilities; Exhibition Hall, Information Service hall, andEarth Plaza. The Exhibition Hall consists of exhibition rooms, map gallery and orientation room. The
Information Service Hall offers perusal and delivery service of the survey results and documents produced by
the GSI. At Earth Plaza, a spherical model of the Japanese archipelago is on display to give visitors an idea ofthe roundness of the Earth. A retired survey aircraft is also displayed.
(2) Gifu Prefectural Library / World Distribution Map Center	 The library collects, exhibits and provides the maps, distribution maps in particular, that were collected from allover the world. A special exhibitions and lectures for school children are carried out periodically.
(3) ZENRIN Map Gallery	 ZENRIN Map Gallery is operated by ZENRIN co., Ltd., a leading mapping company in Japan. Its collections
include antique maps collected from across the world and historic schoolbook atlas.
(4) Museum of Yokohama Urban History	 Museum of Yokohama Urban History exhibits antique maps and documents to show the development andexpansion of Yokohama-city.
(TSUZAWA Masaharu)- 34 -	
 IV. ACTIVITIES OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT(1) Mapping Activity
Local governments such as prefectures, cities and towns produce maps for various purposes, for example,
managements of road, river, upper water, sewer, forestry and property, and planning of city, industry,
agriculture and facilities. Most of the mapping is done digitally in compliance with the Survey Act and the
Public Survey Work Regulations. They are using in GIS. Major examples are shown in Table 1.
Table 1. Maps provided by Local Governments.
TitlesScalesBase Map for City Planning
1:2,500
Road Management Master Map
River Management Master Map
Upper water management Master
Map
Sewer Management Master Map
Fixed Property Map for Taxation
Cadastral Map

1:500
to 1:1,000
1:2,500
to 1:5,000
1:1,000
to 1:2,500
1:1,000
to 1:2,500
1:500
to 1:2500
1:250
to 1:5,000

StatusIt covers the urbanization promoting area in eachcity or town.
It covers the roads (except on the national roads)
managed by local governments.
It covers the rivers (except on the 1st class rivers)
managed by local governments.
It covers the upper water managed by local
governments.
It covers the sewer managed by local
governments.
It covers whole area managed by local
governments.
More than 40% of whole Japan.

(2) GIS Activity
Local governments in Japan started to introduce GIS for their work since mid 80s. The famous initiative called
Urban Information System Project conducted by Ministry of Construction was started in early 1980s.
Kitakyushu, Nishinomiya and other cities participated in this project and introduced GIS for their city planning.
Nowadays, GIS is widely used in local governments not only for city planning but also for life line
managements, agriculture, forestry, taxation and so on.
(3) Integrated GIS
The Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Post and Telecommunications adopted a concept of“Integrated GIS” in 1997 to promote the geographic data harmonization exchanged in the local governments.
This idea was born affected by National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI) promoted in US and other countries.
Each GIS, even if the architecture of GISs is different, has interface to encode data in the standardized format
and to decode them. In Japan, national and local governments use a profile of ISO/TC211 standards named as
JPGIS (Japan Profile for Geographic Information Standards).
In case of Japan, local governments have the history of GIS more than 25 years as mentioned above, and during
these years, each department has introduced and maintained its own GIS. It means that each department areusing its own data format, and it will be more difficult to exchange and share valuable data for otherdepartments. This is the reason to promote Integrated GIS. Now, the Ministry of Public Management, Home
Affairs, Post and Telecommunications subsidize local governments for their initiative to develop Integrated
GIS. About 33% (15% in 2006) of local governments introduced Integrated GIS by 2010.

- 35 -	 The concept of“Integrated GIS”
View = f (individual, sharable)

Sharable

Sharable

Sharable

Individual

Individual

IndividualRoad
Administration

City
Planning

Upper Water &SewerManagement(4) Earthquake at Urayasu City
- Disaster overview
The Great East Japan Earthquake wreaked broad-based disaster through almost northern half of Honshu (thebiggest island in Japan). Urayasu City introducing in this section is urbanized city and famous in Japan as theCity of Tokyo Disneyland. Urayasu faces the Tokyo Bay and this place is the marginal part of the earthquake
area. However the size of disaster is not small as shown in Table 1. Urayasu City Government created the task
force at 15:50 JST on 11 March 2011. It was almost one hour after the earthquake occurred.
Table 1. The size of disaster in Urayasu City

Number of disaster victims
Number of the suffered family units
Liquefaction area (ha)Sewage wreaked area (ha)Length of the wreaked road (km)Number of wreaked houses

Fig. 1

Soil liquefaction in Urayasu City

- 36 -	 96,47337,023
1,455
820
111.8
8,878

Fig. 2. Lifted manhole (left) and water storage tank (right) by soil liquefaction- Collection and Publication of Information
The task force recorded the information on the paper map at first. But it was not useful to share information
among people working different place. So, they changed the information-sharing platform from paper map to
the Integrated GIS that Urayasu has been using since about 10 years ago. For citizens, Urayasu disclosed theinformation through not only their home page but their Public Map Service on the Web called JAM (Joint
Active Map), Twitter, mail service, paper media such as public relations magazine and hand microphoneannouncement on the street by volunteers.
Web site

Twitter

Web Map Service (JAM)

Paper magazine

Fig. 3. Information sharing methods- 37 -	 Announcement

- Lifelines
Electricity was restored immediately after earthquake. Gus was restored by 30 March (after 19 days), upper
water was by 6 April (after 26 days) and sewage was by 15 April (after 35 days). Priority of restoration should
be decided based on the population density and the ratio of the weak in the disaster areas rather than the densityof houses. And the priority should be higher for the place where more than one lifeline was broken (Figure 4).
However, at the first few days, utility companies could not asses how many and what types of people live in thedisaster area even they know the number of customer houses. Meanwhile, the city government has the master
file of resident register that includes name, address, sex, birthday, with or without national health insurance
and/or at-home care insurance. The task force and utility companies could prioritized the restoration using theseinformation shown on the map, because the geo-data of houses link to the resident register on the Integrated
GIS. In case of Japan, such a linkage is exceptional, because the city governments are warred bout the privacy
issues, even the law of resident register ordains the sharing of register among the people working at the city
government for their work more effective.

Fig. 4. Restoration of Life Lines- Liquefaction
Inclination and breaking of buildings caused by the liquefaction were quite serious in the area facing Tokyo
Bay. However Japanese government did not have criteria for recompense the disaster caused by liquefaction.

- 38 -	
 Fig. 5. The map of elevation change in Urayasu City

In case of Urayasu, they could make a map to show the elevation change using the digital surface model taken
in December 2007 by Airborne Laser Scanner and the data scanned again in April 2011 (Figure 5). This map isthe evidence to show the relationship between subsidence and liquefaction. Urayasu and other cities sufferedliquefaction cooperated to encourage to make criteria to the central government. Japanese government quickly
responded by 2 May to give compensation for the disaster by liquefaction as the exception only for thisearthquake. The map of elevation change was also used to estimate the amount of sediment collected on the
ground and it was useful to make disposal plan.
Acknowledgement
This section was written based on the interview to Mr. Keiji Daigo, General Manager of GovernanceManagement Department at Urayasu City. The special thanks goes to Mr. Daigo for his kind corporation.
( OTA Morishige)- 39 -	 V. ACTIVITIES OF PRIVATE SECTOR
Digital Services(1) Great East Japan Earthquake
The response to the Great East Japan Earthquake with GIS and mapping services has been progressing with the great
assistance from private sectors.
The prompt information updated from the social networking services soon after the earthquake was linked withgeospatial information as well as the map portal sites.	
  Then, the satellite imagery and aerial photos are provided
from many professional organizations, and, moreover, they are processed and analyzed to meet needs at thequake-struck areas by GIS and mapping service companies.
The auto manufactures and car-navigation manufacturers also shared probe information, and released real time traffic
information in quake-struck areas.
These prompt responses were possible because of the standards for geo-data exchange and cloud computing.
・Map Portal
Google started "Google Crisis Response", the disaster portal site on March 13, only 2 days after the earthquake. This
service enabled us to get information for the location of shelters, radioactive-affected areas using Google Maps.
Microsoft has opened its newest GeoEye and DigitalGlobe satellite imagery in Bing, and, permitted digitizing of
OpenStreetMap. Mapion added location information and landmark data to the aerial photos of the quake-hit areas
provided from the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan.
GoogleMicrosoft

http://www.google.co.jp/intl/en/crisisresponse/japanquake2011.html
http://www.bing.com/maps/explore/#/22l0xfx37gwtm1vc

Mapionhttp://www.mapion.co.jp/feature/eq2011/hisaichi.html

・Satellite imagery and GIS
Many corporations have started to provide the satellite images and the aerial photographs free of charge. The
Kokusai Kogyo group, which is a leading company in the field of GIS and spatial information business, captured andanalyzed geospatial data of the quake-hit areas and has been providing the latest information such as the floodinundation maps, tsunami height distribution maps, debris distribution maps. Pasco attempted the automatic
extraction of tsunami inundations using satellite images acquired from the synthetic aperture radar satellite(TerraSAR-X).
Kokusai Kogyo Group

http://www.kk-grp.jp/english/csr/201103_tohoku/index.html

PASCO
Asia Air Survey

http://www.pasco.co.jp/disaster_info/110311/
http://www.ajiko.co.jp/bousai/touhoku2011/touhoku_eng.htm

NTT DATA

http://www.nttdata.co.jp/tohoku_map/index.html- 40 -	
 Fig.1. Preliminary map showing
the reach of tsunami

Fig.2. Tsunami Simulations(Kokusai Kogyo Group)・Car Navigation
ITS Japan, a non-profit organization, in collaboration with Honda, Nissan, Toyota, and Pioneer, has given out theprobe information to indicate the accessible roads in the quake-hit areas(March 19 to April 28)	  . Honda andPioneer are continuing to provide "Google Crisis Response" and a "Yahoo! maps" with up-to-date traffic information.
And, Toyota has been providing "Microsoft Bing" with the probe information captured from G-BOOK loading
vehicles.
ITS Japan

http://www.its-jp.org/english/its_asia/553/

HONDA
TOYOTA

http://www.honda.co.jp/internavi/
http://map.g-book.com/

・GIS Volunteer
Esri Japan released the "social media map" which displays videos and photos of the quake-hit areas submitted from
YouTube, Twitter and Flicker the quake-hit areas. This service is arranged on "Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud(EC2)", the cloud computing by Amazon. Volunteers of OpenStreetMap Japan started "sinsai.info" only 4 hours after
the earthquake. "sinsai.info" uses CMS type GIS "Ushahidi" and uses the EC2.
ESRI

http://www.esri.com/services/disaster-response/japan-earthquake-tsunami-2011-map/

sinsai.info

http://www.sinsai.info/ushahidi/- 41 -	
 Fig.3. Google Crisis Response road condition information(2) LBS Game and AR
The game using the LBS (Location-Based Services) on cell phones is called "Ichi-ge", and has been very popular.
Colopl, a game using geospatial information, has virtual money system called "Pl". You can gain “P1” by the
distance you work or move to create your own virtual city called "Colony". Its users are over 1,500,000. AR(Augmented Reality) application using LBS started beginning "Sekai Camera" in 2009. In March, 2011, ZENRIN
DataCom and NTT DOCOMO started providing for AR application "chokkan-navi" to the Android market.
Coloplhttp://colopl.co.jp/

Keitai Kunitori Gassen

http://kntr.jp/

Sekai Camera
Chokkan-navi

http://sekaicamera.com/
http://www.zenrin-datacom.net/android/chokkan/(NAKAJIMA Madoka)- 42 -