Japan Chapter Report 2008

= Japan Chapter =
 * Period covered by report: Jan-Dec 2008
 * Contact name: Toru Mori

Key Accomplishments

 * Held the 3rd annual conference in November in Tokyo and Osaka, attended 150 active people. Invited Jeff McKenna to give them a speech and promoted OSGeo and its community. Christopher Schmidt and Claude Philipona gave speech.
 * Enhanced local website (in Japanese language).
 * 5 local sponsors, Osaka-city Univercity, Autodesk Japan, Ouyougijyutsu, Mapconcielge and Orkney.
 * Organized "Osaka mini event", invited Helena Mitasova of North Carolina State University, Hiroshi Miura of OpenStreetMap Japan and local geospatial reserchers at Osaka-city University, Osaka in May 2008.
 * Promoted OSGeo activities at GeoMedia Sumitt in Tokyo (December 2008).
 * Organized local board committee consists of 11 most active members.

Areas for Improvement

 * Launched local sponsorship, which enabled us to keep regular activities and visible.

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 2009

 * Enrich the local OSGeo web site.
 * 4rd annual conference (currently scheduled in November).
 * Organize off line activities such as face to face meetings and beer parties!