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Research paper−160−Synthesiology - English edition Vol.5 No.3 pp.160-170 (Dec. 2012) objective of earth observation is to gather regional data to address biodiversity, energy, and health issues, as well as for global problem solving. Ultimately, the observations may be reflected in the decision-making process for environment and energy policies.In the conventional earth observation, collaborations were conducted using land data and satellites for each subject observed such as land, ocean, and atmosphere. For example, the World Meteorological Organization built a global observation system and is trying to link the geostationary meteorological satellites, polar orbit satellites, and ground meteorological observation network.[3] Also, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization constructed the global land observation system.[4] Moreover, collaborations and adjustments were done among the global observation system and aerospace organizations that develop and operate the observation satellites under the Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership (IGOS-P).[5] Collaborations progressed among individual fields or satellites observation systems.However, at the scene of decision-making, there are many instances where various observation data must be combined. For example, when planning the construction of an offshore wind power plant, the oceanographic data is necessary as well as the atmospheric data. In conventional decision-making, such observations were often duplicated for different purposes.1 IntroductionSeveral lessons were learned on the position of science and technology in the field of earth observation in the Great East Japan Earthquake. First is the importance of the worldwide collaboration for earth observation. Japan’s Advanced Land-Observing Satellite (ALOS) stopped operation on April 22, 2011, only about a month after the earthquake. Japan lost one of its “eyes” from outer space. However, other countries conducted intensive observation of the earthquake area using their satellites, supplemented the missing data, and effective data sharing was done.[1] Through such international cooperation and data sharing for earth observation, the reliability of the scientific data increased. On the other hand, there are criticisms that the scientific findings from such earth observations were not utilized fully in the earthquake countermeasure policy.[2] The importance of a mechanism to reflect the findings of the earth observation data in policy-making became apparent.2 Current situation of earth observation data useIn earth observation, various measurement devices including the observation network on land and sea, aircraft, and weather satellites are used. Based on the data obtained from the observations, prediction model, climate change scenario, and various information services are provided. The - Development of de jure standardization of the common infrastructure for the global earth observation system of systems-While each country separately obtains, processes, and utilizes earth observation data, there is a pressing need for a common infrastructure to facilitate integrated use of these resources. At an intergovernmental meeting, an international agreement was reached to construct a common infrastructure for the global earth observation system. Several organizations have submitted components for this infrastructure. These submissions were fairly evaluated, and the most suitable components were recommended for inclusion into the infrastructure system, at the intergovernmental meeting. Recommendation of specific infrastructure components establishes de jure standards for the global earth observation system. Since Japan has not offered its own components, it has been able to take a neutral stance on formulating de jure standards. Consequently, the standards widely used as de facto in Japan have been selected as de jure standards. This experience could be a model case for the development of a strategy for international standardization activity.International cooperation for the utilization of earth observational data in an integrated mannerKeywords : International standard, de jure, de facto, global earth observation system of systems, intergovernmental group on earth observations, GEOSS common infrastructure[Translation from Synthesiology, Vol.5, No.3, p.152-161 (2012)]Koki IwaoGeoinformation Center, AIST Tsukuba Central 7, 1-1-1 Higashi, Tsukuba 305-8567, Japan E-mail: Original manuscript received October 31, 2011, Revisions received April 16, 2012, Accepted April 16, 2012

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