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Research paper : International cooperation for the utilization of earth observational data in an integrated manner (K. Iwao)−169−Synthesiology - English edition Vol.5 No.3 (2012) [12]GCI Coordination Team: GCI Coordination Team Report, Beijing, China (2010).AuthorKoki IwaoCompleted the courses in Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo in 1996. Obtained doctorate (Engineering) at the Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo in 2000. Post-doctorate positions at the Asian Institute of Technology (Bangkok); Research Institute for Environmental Management Technology, AIST; and National Institute for Environmental Studies. Joined the GEO Grid Research Group, Information Technology Research Institute, AIST in 2007. Dispatched as Scientific and Technical Officer to the Intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations Secretariat (Geneva, Switzerland) for two years from 2009 to 2011. Senior officer, Geoinformation Management Office, Geoinformation Center, Geological Survey of Japan, AIST from April 2012. Specialty is the creation and verification of global data set (such as land cover maps) using satellite remote sensing and GIS technology.Discussions with Reviewers1 OverallComment (Akira Ono, AIST)This paper is about building an information system where users can comprehensively make use of various earth observation data gathered and processed individually by different countries and organizations. I think it is an excellent Product Realization Research. As the author expresses the completed product “system of systems” the process of which the product is made by integrating various elements, it is suitable for Synthesiology.2 Importance of the integration of earth observation dataComment (Koh Naito, Center for Service Research, AIST)Many readers may not sufficiently understand the importance of the integration of earth observation data. Therefore, please explain this point in the “Introduction” at the beginning of the paper. In the Great East Japan Earthquake, many scientific data were not used in policy-making.Answer (Koki Iwao)I added the chapter of “Introduction” and mentioned that the scientific data were not fully used in policy-making in relation to the Great East Japan Earthquake.3 Addition of technological viewpointComment (Koh Naito)I understand that the efforts explained in “Synthetic method” is the most important point of this paper. While the text contains the explanation of that method, please describe what kind of efforts were made, what were the points including the technological viewpoints, and finally how the international agreement on selection result was reached.Answer (Koki Iwao)As you mentioned, the “synthetic method” is the most important point. In working on this project, I summarized the technological requirements, described the work done for the corresponding requirements, and re-synthesized the items that led to the agreement of selection results. In revising the “synthetic method,” I also revised the results and discussions so the correspondence will become clear.4 Description of the scenarioComment (Akira Ono)In the text, it is written that the author joined the GEO Secretariat, was given a framework, created scenarios, and then executed them. In Synthesiology, the topic is not limited to what the author handled directly. The author can describe a larger scenario from the author’s viewpoint, including the accomplishments of the GEO Secretariat and GEO itself. I think the readers of the journal will be able to grasp the whole picture, and that will be beneficial for them.Answer (Koki Iwao)I added Fig. 3 to explain the whole scenario, and provided an explanation in the paper.5 Comparison with the database integration of other fieldsQuestion (Akira Ono)I understand the main point of this paper is the creation of a system where multiple databases built by various entities with different standards can be used by the users as if using a single database.The demand for integrated use of multiple databases is also frequently heard in areas other than earth observation. Comparing with other fields, can the author offer some opinion about the issues or solutions that characterize the earth observation field?Answer (Koki Iwao)As you indicated, the main point of the paper is to build a common system that links the database managed by multiple institutions, and to realize a system that could be used comprehensively.Comparing to other fields, taking the example of multiple database integration, I mention the case described in AIST Press Release “Opening of integbio.jp, a joint portal site of bioscience database of four ministries (in Japanese)” (released December 12, 2010: http://www.aist.go.jp/aist_j/press_release/pr2011/pr20111212/pr20111212.html).In this article, it is explained that the integration of the bioscience database is accomplished in four steps: catalog, cross search, archive, and reconstruction.In the earth observation field, the aims were catalog and cross search. I think the catalog (list of links by database) corresponds to the registry in our project. The cross search function (keyword search of multiple databases) corresponds to the clearinghouse. Even in different fields, there are similarities in the database integration steps. On the other hand, there is a slight difference in archive (integration of database format and consideration of rights), the third step in database integration of the bioscience field. In the earth observation field, rather than integrating the database format, the differences are absorbed in the CL. In this case, the characteristic of earth observation data is that almost all data contain time and location information, and that allows narrowing down the search condition. The consideration of the rights of earth observation data is positioned as an important issue. A specialty committee is established under the Plenary to draft the principle of data sharing (promotion of earth observation data sharing). However, currently, there is the thinking that all data should be actively disclosed (free and open), and also the thinking that rights should be respected. The thinking of respecting rights is dominating, and the rights related matter is not sufficiently organized yet. The USA is promoting free and open data. It is actively releasing data, starting

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