Japan Chapter Report 2007

= Japan Chapter =
 * Period covered by report: Jan-Dec 2007
 * Contact name: Toru Mori

Key Accomplishments

 * Held the 2nd annual conference in November in Osaka, attended 70 active people. Invited Tyler Mitchell to give them a speech and promoted OSGeo. Markus Neteler, Lorenzo Becchi, Geoff Zeiss and Schuyler Erle are also invited and gave speech.
 * Tokyo meeting was held in the following week with 60 attendants. Tyler Mitchell and Schuyler Erle gave speech.
 * Launch local website in Japanese language in November, financially sponsored by local companies such as Autodesk Japan, Ouyougijyutsu and Orkney.
 * Promoted OSGeo activities at OSC(Open Source Conference) Spring in Tokyo (March 2007).
 * Promoted OSGeo activities at GIS seminar held by Ouyougijyutsu in Osaka (November 2007).
 * Organized local board committee with 5 most active members.

Areas for Improvement

 * Keeping regular activities without enough financial and human resources is always challenging.

Opportunities to Help

 * Join and express your opinions to our local mailing lists.
 * Contribute us translated materials of OSGeo.org pages.
 * Become sponsor of the Japan Chapter and support local activities in financial.

Outlook for 2008

 * Enrich the local OSGeo web site.
 * 3rd annual conference (TBD).
 * Organize off line activities such as face to face meetings.