GIS application in Japan

Abstract

The first GIS which was utilized for practical works of land analyses in Japan is based on the standard grid system. The size of the grid is about 1 km square on ground, and various kinds of cartographic data together with other statistical data, which were digitized according to the grid system, were stored on general purpose computers. Land analyses were usually done for each grid cell under an interactive condition between men and computers applying Time Sharing System (TSS) architecture. This kind of GISs have been developed at National Land Agency, GSI and other governmental organizations, and have been utilized for means of analyzing rather large areas such as the whole country or prefecture until today.