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!