What is the present status of Geomatics in Japan?
Geomatics in Japan is rapidly expanding in not only the business domain, but also in the field of research and development. GPS: since 2002 the Geographic Survey Institute (GSI) has opened GPS information at about 1,200 GPS stations located all over Japan. This has made it possible to use VRS in real time base. The Japan Association of Surveyors is responsible for this project. So far two private companies have started to provide GPS information to commercial industries. GIS: About 30-40 per cent of local governments have installed GIS with the aim of improving administrative and management services. Digital mapping for car navigation is very competitive among several different providers. A few Japanese companies have developed their own GIS software for commercial use. Remote Sensing: Unfortunately Japanese satellites have failed several times recently. But we are waiting for the launch of ALOS satellite by the end of this year. Five Japanese companies are operating airborne laser sca
