realization of diversified services with speedy and large capacity two-way communications. To be specific, the service provides regional road traffic information, safe driving supportive information about obstacles and conditions ahead by utilizing images and sounds for drawing the attention of the driver, etc. In terms of future prospects, it enables diversified services such as the connection with regional and tourist information in service areas and parking areas, and charge payment such as parking etc. In March 2007, having issued the ITS new on-board equipment standard specification manual as the JEITA standard, the same standard aimed at practicality enhancement was being reviewed in July 2008 on the basis of the public highway trial result. In the autumn of 2009, the new on-board equipment was launched for sales to the general public.

(B) Promotion of Smartway Project and Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV) Project

The Smartway service was started in the 3 major metropolitan areas, i.e. the Metropolitan Expressway, Hanshin Expressway and Nagoya Expressway from autumn 2009. In addition, for expanding the full Smartway throughout the country, MLIT is carrying out national deployment (e.g. roadside equipment) focusing on the highways of the whole country (about 1,000 spots) and targeted to be completed by winter 2010.

Moreover, by using advanced technology (e.g. ICT technology), the ASV Project is being pushed forward for working on the development, introduction and popularization of the Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV) that supports the safe driving of drivers.

Especially with regard to the Driving Assistance Systems for Safety $ ^{1} $ through infrastructure coordination, a review is being carried out on the basis of the result of the large-scale verification trial (ITS-Safety2010), in order to

Image of Driving Support using communication (Advanced Safety Vehicle (ASV))

perform the introduction and popularization through the cooperation of industries, academics and the government.

(C) Support for low fuel cost driving and delivery efficiency enhancement of truck business operators by utilizing IT

In FY 2009, a verification trial was carried out in Hokkaido a snowy and cold region. The purpose of the verification trial was to implement low fuel cost driving for truck business operators and enhance delivery efficiency through the utilization of driving instructing function suitable for information on blocks and road environment. Furthermore, sophisticated information technology introduction is also being pushed forward.

### 2. Realization of a Society Utilizing Advanced Geospatial Information

With the rapid development of ICT infrastructure and the popularization of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the realization of an economic society that enables the advanced and effective utilization of geospatial information $ ^{2} $ is aimed for. According to the “Basic Plan for the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial Information” formulated based on the “Basic Act on the Advancement of Utilizing Geographic Information”, in addition to the development and provision of geospatial information including the Fundamental Geospatial Data $ ^{3} $ , and the popularization of geographic information standards, MLIT promotes the construction of “Digital Japan” as a virtual nation on computer.

## (1) Promoting the utilization of geospatial information

In response to the “Basic Plan for the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial Information”, MLIT carries out the development of geospatial information, including thematic maps (land condition maps etc.), “Digital Japan Basic Map (map information, Orthoimage and place name information)”, topographic maps, aerial photographs, geodetic control points and “Digital national land information”. At the same time, MLIT provides information for browsing on the Internet. In addition, the GPS-observed data collected by the GPS continuous observation system is also being provided. Additionally, as a land change archive project, the digitization and archiving (record storing) of the old-version maps kept by the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan are being carried out.