The government plans to start using Russia's Glonass satellite system in fiscal 2011, in addition to the U.S. Global Positioning System, for land surveys, to expand coverage and improve accuracy, it has been learned.
The former Soviet Union began developing Glonass in the 1980s to compete with GPS. Although the system was initially set up for military use, Russia is now promoting Glonass for civilian purposes.
It is unusual for Japan to use Russia's satellite technology, although more than 20 years have passed since the end of the Cold War.
Signals from Glonass can be used free of charge, just like those from GPS.
Over the 10 years or so from fiscal 2011, the Japanese government will upgrade satellite signal receivers in about 1,200 locations nationwide for land surveys, enabling them to receive Glonass signals as well.
The government hopes using Glonass will allow satellite signals to reach more places, including behind tall buildings and in valleys. It also aims to get faster and more accurate data on movements in the earth's crust near volcanoes.
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