Educational Activities ofPlanetariums in Japan
Ken-ichi KatoChairperson, Japan
Planetarium Association(Osaka ScienceMuseum)

Abstract Present status of planetarium institutionsin Japan, their educational activity, andrecent progress of hardware and softwareby stressing on the development of digital
planetarium will be shown together withthe talk on the Japan Planetarium
Association (JPA) and International
Planetarium Society (IPS).

October 11-12, 2007

Osaka Science Center for Electricity
First Planetarium, 1937

1. Brief History

SecondPlanetarium,
1938

The Number of Planetariums Opened
Counted for Every 10 Years

Tohnichi Hall,Tokyo, Yuraku-cho1

Three Stages of the Transition
The purpose and its role varied across the ages.

1. 1930-1960 The planetarium was very rare. Many people wereattracted by the rarity value. The age that the planetarium was filledwith modern astronomy !
Big Dome : 20m / Osaka, Tokyo, Akashi, Nagoya

2. 1960-1985 Planetariums were planned and build to utilize for thescience education, so that the most of them were installed at local
science centers for young students.
Small or Medium Size Dome : 6 – 16m / at many cities

3. 1985 – today The Planetarium became to be very popular. Not

only for the science education but for the leisure of young families.
Today, it is seemed to be one of the accessary for city life like library, et al.
But, the recent economical situation get worse year by year. ・・・・・・
Huge Dome : 20 – 30m / Ehime, Tama, Himeji, Miyazaki, Osaka

Dome Size

2. Present Status

Local Distribution, over 5m

White Paper on Planetarium(2005)
Sho Ito lists a total of 375
planetariums in the latest
survey.

Administrators

Attendance2

Education Programs other thanthe Planetarium

Decreasing School Times

Conclusion
Planetariums have been seriouslyaffected by the economical andpolitical attitude.

A clear vision is important –Science Education + ( ? )- Appendix - 3. Japan Planetarium AssociationJPA
 Three domestic planetarium associations

united to JPA in 2006.

 Members – 217

Planetarium Institution – 142
Organization, Vender – 39
Individual – 36Fin

 Affiliate of the IPS (InternationalPlanetarium Society)3EAMA_Talk.txt
1:1. My name is Ken‐ichi Kato, from Osaka Science Museum.
2:I would like to talk the present status of planetariums in Japan as chairperson of the Japan
Planetarium Association.
3:
4:2. The abstract is here.
5:
6:3. First, we briefly present the history of planetariums in Japan.
7:
8:4. In 1937, the first planetarium opened the door to the public. Osaka City Government
installed Zeiss II plenatrium in the Science Center for Electricity.
9:
10:5. Next year, in Tokyo, the second planetarium appeared at Ginza, Yuraku‐cho, one of themost gorgeous districts. This was unforntunately burned down during the world war II.
11:
12:6. This shows the statistics on opening year of new planetariums counted for every 10 years.
As you can seen from this figure, after the world war II and until 1980s, the number
dramatically increased, and fall down after 1990's. In 1980's, a total of 122 planetariums wasbuild and opened during this decade. It's amazing! This attitude coincides with the growthof japanese economy.
13: From this, we can divide the history of planetariums into 3 stages.
14: 1st‐the age of rarity, 2nd‐the age of rapid growth, and 3rd‐the age of leisure for families.
15:
16:7. From the beginning to 1960's, the planetarium was exremely rare so that the most people
desired to touch the star theater in which they were able to watch many stars during daytime. It was very attractive.
17: From 1960s to around 1985, planetariums were planned and build to use for the scienceeducation for school students. 280 planetariums were installed during three decades.
Through this process, the planetarium spread all over the country, so it became very popular
for japanese people.
18: From around 1985 until now, the dome size increased to 30m, the planetarium systme itself
became bigger and bigger, and gets much power as a audio‐visual device. Today, the power isgreater than that of usual movie theaters. This is the reason why the planetariums are used
not only for astronomical education but also for entertainment.
19:
20:8. Next, I am going to show the present status.
21:
22:9. This is the result of survey of the dome size.
23:A total of 357 institutions are listed in the White Paper published in 2005. Recently, Sho Itokindly presented me the latest result of survey. He lists 375 planetariums.
24: 40% have the dome smaller than 10m, about 50% institutions have the medium size dome,and the rest 10% have the dome greater than 20m.
25: As you may know, in Japan, there are big planetariums more than the United States.
26:
27:10. This shows the location.
28:In the big cities such as Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, and around them, many institutions arelocated.
29:
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30:11. This shows the administrators. About 40% planetariums belong to Museum, ScienceCenter and public astronomical observatory. Other 40% are installed in District education
Center, local community center, or children's house. It is rare case where schools oruniversities have planetarium. This is entirely different from that of the western world.
31:
32:12. 6 million people in total visit and appreciate planetarium every year, in which 60% arechildren and school students. Over a half of them call at planetarium on a school program andthe rest of the young students and children visit planetarium together with their families.
33:
34:13. While the most audiences are ceratinly young school students, the school time atplanetariums are decresing after 2001. This is due to the alternation of the official
curriculum for school.
35:
36:14. A number of educational courses other than planetarium are offered. They are sky
watching, lectures, exhibits, et al. Recently, outreach activities get well noticeable.
37:
38:15. This is the conclusion. Until today, planetariums have been seriously affected by theeconomical and political attitude like a leaf on tidal wave. I think, in addition to theeducation, any other vision which is specific to indivudal institions is necessary to keep thispowerful educational device for a long time,39:
40:16. Finally, I'd like to introduce briefly the Japan Planetarium Association.
41:
42:17. Last year, The Japan Planetarium Association got started as an unified organization. The
relation to the IPS will be continued as an affiliate member.
43:
44:Thank you.

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