Chapter I General Provisions

(Purpose) Article 1 In view of the fact that promoting the advancement of utilization of geospatial information is essential in realizing the economic and social vision that people can live enriched lives with peace of mind both at present and in the future, the purpose of this Act is to promote policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information in a comprehensive and well-planned manner by establishing basic principles and clarifying the responsibilities of the national government and local governments for policies on the advancement of utilizing geospatial information as well as defining the basic elements of policies on the advancement of utilizing geospatial information.

(Definitions) Article 2 (1) The term "geospatial information" as used in this Act means information referred to in item (i) or information consisting of both items (i) and (ii): (i) information that represents the position of a specific point or area in geospace (including temporal information pertaining to the information, hereinafter referred to as "positional information"); and (ii) any information associated with the information referred to in the preceding item of this Article. (2) The term "geographic information system" as used in this Act means an information system that comprehensively processes geospatial information, recorded in electronic or magnetic form, on a digital map (a map recorded on an electronic or magnetic medium, the same applies hereinafter) with computers to enable geographic understanding and analyses of geospatial information. (3) The term "Fundamental Geospatial Data" as used in this Act means positional information, recorded in electronic or magnetic form which is one type of geospatial information that provides positional reference to geospatial information on a digital map, including geodetic control points, coastlines, boundaries of public facilities, administrative boundaries etc. as provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (limited to that which meets the criteria provided by Order of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). (4) The term "satellite positioning, navigation and timing" as used in this Act means the determination of positions calculated using signals transmitted from satellites and the acquisition of time corresponding to the position, and acquisition of track information associated with the position and time.

(Basic Principles) Article 3 (1) In view of the fact that geospatial information such as Fundamental Geospatial Data, statistical information, and geo-imagery provides essential infrastructure for the improvement of lives of the citizenry and the sound development of the national economy, the utilization of geospatial information must be advanced based on the comprehensive and systematic implementation of measures including preparation and provision of accurate and proper geospatial information in electronic or magnetic form, promotion of the utilization of technologies of geographic information system, satellite positioning, navigation and timing system, etc., development of human resources, enhancement of coordination among relevant institutions such as the national government and local governments, and other measures. (2) In view of the fact that geographic information systems and satellite positioning, navigation and timing systems benefit from each other in that geographic information systems provide satellite positioning navigation and timing with fundamental maps for the utilization of geospatial information acquired by satellite positioning, navigation and timing while satellite positioning, navigation and timing makes geospatial information constantly available for geographic information systems, policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information must be implemented to develop an environment that enables advanced use of geospatial information by enhancing the synergy among policies on geographic information systems, satellite positioning, navigation and timing, and others. (3) In view of the current situation in that satellite positioning, navigation and timing systems have become the infrastructure for the improvement of lives of the citizenry and the sound development of the national economy by providing information such as accurate positioning, timing and tracking, policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information must be implemented to ensure an environment that will consistently provide highly reliable satellite positioning, navigation and timing services. (4) Policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information must contribute to the promotion of effective use, development and conservation of the national land, and to the protection of the lives of the people, their bodies and their property by enhancing the effective and efficient management of public facilities, the promotion of measures against disasters, etc. through active engagement of the national government and local governments in accomplishing their administrative work and projects. (5) Policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information must contribute to the improvement of the administrative efficiency of governments as well as to their functional enhancement through the prevention of unnecessary duplication of mapping, the improvement of integration, flexibility and transparency of policies, etc. by sharing geospatial information that is essential for each section of government administration. (6) Policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information must contribute to the enhancement of the people's convenience through the provision of a variety of services that make full use of geospatial information. (7) Policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information must contribute to the vitalization and sustainable development of the economy and society through the creation and sound development of a variety of businesses utilizing geospatial information, as well as the enhancement of efficiency and quality, the harmony with the environment, etc. of those business activities. (8) In implementing policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information, consideration must be given to the appropriate employment of potential capabilities of private entities by making full use of their proposals and creativity and ingenuity regarding technologies for utilizing geospatial information, and by other measures. (9) In implementing policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information, consideration must be given not to harm the rights and interests of individuals, national security, etc. in the process of expanding the dissemination of geospatial information.

(Responsibilities of the National Government) Article 4 National government is responsible for formulating and implementing policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information in a comprehensive manner based on the basic principles referred to in the preceding Article (hereinafter referred to as "basic principles").

(Responsibilities of Local Governments) Article 5 The local governments are responsible for formulating and implementing policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information in accordance with the circumstances of their respective regions based on the basic principles and appropriate division of responsibilities with the national government.

(Efforts of Businesses) Article 6 Businesses that conduct surveying, mapping, and/or provide services utilizing geographic information systems and/or satellite positioning, navigation and timing systems, and other related businesses are to endeavor in their business activities to provide high quality geospatial information based on the basic principles, and to cooperate with the national government and/or local governments in their policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information.

(Enhancement of Coordination Among Related Organizations) Article 7 In view of the fact that advancement of utilizing geospatial information is effectively implemented when mutual liaison and cooperation are facilitated among the national government, local governments, related businesses, and research institutions such as universities, the national government are to take necessary measures that are vital in enhancing coordination among these organizations.

(Legislative Measures) Article 8 Government must take measures including legal, financial, or any other measures that are required to implement the policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information.

Chapter II Basic Plan for the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial Information

(Formulation of the Basic Plan for the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial Information) Article 9 (1) In order to accomplish policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information in a comprehensive and well-planned manner, government must formulate a Basic Plan for the Advancement of Utilizing Geospatial Information (hereinafter referred to as "Basic Plan for AUGI"). (2) The Basic Plan for AUGI is to provide the following: (i) basic guidelines for the policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information; (ii) particulars concerning policies on geographic information systems; (iii) particulars concerning policies on satellite positioning, navigation and timing systems; and (iv) beyond what is set forth in the preceding three items, particulars that are essential to promote policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information in a comprehensive and well-planned manner. (3) As a general rule, the specific goals and period of time that is required to achieve each policy set forth in the Basic Plan for AUGI, is to be provided. (4) When the Basic Plan for AUGI is formulated pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (1) of this Article, government must publicize the Basic Plan for AUGI without delay through the Internet and other appropriate media. (5) Government must review the achievements of the goals provided pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this Article at appropriate occasions, and must publicize the results through the Internet and other appropriate media. (6) The provisions of paragraph (4) of this Article apply mutatis mutandis to amendments of the Basic Plan for AUGI.

(Development of Cooperation Systems Among Relevant Administrative Organs) Article 10 The government is to develop the cooperation system among relevant administrative organs and take other necessary measures concerning the formulation of the Basic Plan for AUGI and the implementation of policies based on the Basic Plan for AUGI.

Chapter III Basic Policies

Section 1 General Provisions

(Research and Study Activities) Article 11 The national government is to conduct research and studies that are necessary for the formulation and proper implementation of policies for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information.

(Dissemination of Knowledge) Article 12 The national government is to take measures including the awareness raising and the dissemination of knowledge for utilizing geospatial information, and other necessary measures in order to foster the people's understanding of and interest in the importance of utilizing geospatial information.

(Development of Human Resources) Article 13 National government is to implement necessary policies in order to develop human resources possessing technical knowledge and skills for the advancement of utilizing geospatial information.

(Utilization of Geospatial Information in Administrative Affairs) Article 14 Concerning the advancement of utilizing geospatial information, the national government and local governments are to take measures including the broader use of geographic information systems in their administrative work and projects, the diversification and improvement of the quality of public services thereof, and other necessary measures in order to enhance the people's convenience as well as the efficiency and functionality of administrative affairs.

(Protection of Personal Information) Article 15 National government and local governments are to take necessary measures including ensuring proper management of geospatial information to protect personal information, indicating the quality of information to assure the reliability of Fundamental Geospatial Data, etc. in order to enable the people to appropriately and confidently use geospatial information.

Section 2 Policies on Geographic Information Systems

(Development of Fundamental Geospatial Data) Article 16 (1) National government is to provide technical standards for the development of Fundamental Geospatial Data in order to disseminate the use of geographic information system by promoting the sharing of Fundamental Geospatial Data. (2) In order to achieve the purpose referred to in the preceding paragraph, the national government and local governments are to take necessary measures including the development and timely revision of Fundamental Geospatial Data conforming to the technical standards referred to in the preceding paragraph, etc..

(Interoperable Use of Fundamental Geospatial Data in Geospatial Services) Article 17 National government and local governments are to endeavor to maximize the interoperable use of existing Fundamental Geospatial Data when they prepare maps in regions where they conduct their work or projects in administrative functions that require the use of maps including city planning, management of public facilities, management of areas such as agricultural lands and forests, cadastral surveys, real property registration, taxation, statistics, etc.

(Facilitation of Fundamental Geospatial Data Distribution) Article 18 (1) In view of the fact that the use of Fundamental Geospatial Data etc. among the general public contributes to the advanced utilization of geospatial information, the national government and local governments are to take necessary measures to facilitate distribution of geospatial information including the concerted provision of Fundamental Geospatial Data, and development and provision of statistical information, geo-imagery, etc. in electronic or magnetic form, etc. (2) As a general rule, the national government is to provide the Fundamental Geospatial Data and others that it possesses through the Internet without compensation. (3) In addition to what is provided in the preceding two paragraphs, the national government is to take necessary measures including the provision of technical advice and information, etc. in order to promote the utilization of geospatial information by the general public, businesses, and others.

(Promotion of Research and Development Pertaining to Geographic Information Systems) Article 19 The national government is to take necessary measures including the promotion of research and development, the timely evaluation of their results, the dissemination of accomplishments, etc. in order to promote the development of geographic information system.

Section 3 Policies on Satellite Positioning, Navigation and Timing

(Liaison and Coordination on Satellite Positioning, Navigation and Timing) Article 20 The national government is to take necessary measures including necessary liaison and coordination with organizations that operate global systems related to satellite positioning, navigation and timing, etc. in order to advance the utilization of geospatial information by effectively establishing an environment that enables the people to consistently receive highly reliable services by satellite positioning, navigation and timing.

(Promotion of Research and Development on Satellite Positioning, Navigation and Timing) Article 21 In order to advance the utilization of geospatial information acquired by satellite positioning, navigation and timing, the national government is to promote research and development as well as validation tests of the technology and feasibility on satellite positioning, navigation and timing, and the national government is to take necessary measures to promote the use of satellite positioning, navigation and timing based on the results.