Databases Reference
In-Depth Information
2.2
Recent GIS-related Activities by the Japanese Government
2.2.1
Liaison Committee of Ministries and Agencies Concerned with GIS
A Liaison Committee of Ministries and Agencies Concerned with GIS was
established in September 1995 to promote the efficient development and effective
utilization of GIS within the Government with the close cooperation among the
Ministries and Agencies. The Cabinet Councilor's Office, Cabinet Secretariat, was
designated as the secretariat of the Liaison Committee, and assisted by the
Geographical Survey Institute (GSI) and the National Land Agency (NLA). The
Committee has two task force groups, i.e. Spatial Data Framework Task Force
Group and Basic Spatial Data Task Force Group, each of which has a few working
groups to discuss more specific topics in detail.
2.2.2
Long-term Plan for the Development of NSDI in Japan
The Liaison Committee developed a Long-term Plan in 1996 for the development
of NSDI (National Spatial Data Infrastructure) in Japan. The Plan specifies actions
to be taken by the Government during a two-phase period starting in 1996 up to
the beginning of the 21st century. The first phase focuses on the definition of
NSDI in Japan as well as standardization of metadata and clarifying the roles of
the central government, local governments, and the private sector, rather than
actual spatial data development. The implementation of NSDI including spatial
data development for NSDI is expected to take place in the second phase.
Approximately three years have been designated for each phase, i.e., first phase
(1996-99) and second phase (1999-2001).
2.2.3
Pilot Study by Local Governments for the Implementation of the Long-
term Plan
The definition of NSDI, one of the main subjects of the first phase of the Long-
term Plan, requires intensive research on the availability, utilization, restriction
and distribution of maps and spatial data in local governments, because they
develop and maintain most of spatial data sets in Japan. GSI and NLA are
conducting a collaborative pilot study in fiscal year (FY) 1997 with four local
governments to do such research. The main topics of the pilot study include: which
spatial data item should be included in the Spatial Data Framework of the Japanese
SDI; who should develop and maintain such data items; and which information
would be most suitable for indirect georeferencing. The result of this pilot study
was summarized in Interim Report of the Long-term Plan at the end of FY 1997.
Additional Ministries, i.e., the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI),
the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPT), and the Ministry of Home
Affairs (MHA) joined the pilot study in FY 1998 starting in April 1998. The
research topics of these Ministries in the pilot study are as follows: MITI will
develop new information systems with GIS and foster related industries; MPT will
