Geographic Information" was published by the GIS Liaison Committee in April 2003, and "Collection of Q&A
regarding the above-mentioned guidelines" was published in June 2004. Various problems to must be solved
were shown in this guideline, such as protection of personal information, infringement of copyright, secondary
utilization and so on.
About "promoting the digitization and provision of geographic information," 36 data sets have been
digitized (all geospatial data frameworks consist of 49 data sets). Periodic updating of core geographic
information (Digital Map 2500, Digital Map 25000 and Residential block level Location Reference
Information) had been done. For promotion of Internet provision of geographic information, 21 sets of spatial
data framework have been provided. Provision is implemented by using a web mapping system (Digital Map
2500, Digital Map 25000, and Spatial Digital Information). The contents of Digital Map 2500 and 25000
(Geospatial Data Framework) are transportation network, drainage network, coastal line, administrative
boundary, geodetic control point and geographic name. Digital Map 2500 also includes footprints of public
buildings, parks, boundaries between road and residential area and so on. Digital Map 25000 has been
developed for whole country with revision of paper topographic maps and distributed since 2000 by GSI.
Digital Map 2500 has been developed for urban area by compiling National Large Scale Maps since 1995 by
GSI. GSI also publishes 50m grid DEM from 1:25000 scale maps for whole country, 10m grid DEM from large
scale maps for active volcanoes and 5m grid DEM from LIDAR data for flatland.