Latest news with #DAICHI-4
Yomiuri Shimbun
01-05-2025
- Science
- Yomiuri Shimbun
JAXA Developing Program to Estimate Earthquake Damage to Buildings from Satellite Images; Aims to Improve Disaster Response Capabilities
The Yomiuri Shimbun Taishi Wada, a Kumamoto prefectural government official, talks about data from the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake in Kumamoto on April 3. KUMAMOTO — The Japan Space Exploration Agency (JAXA) is cooperating with the Kumamoto prefectural government to develop a program that quickly estimates damage to residential buildings by using satellite images in case of an earthquake. The prefectural government has provided JAXA with data on 200,000 residential buildings affected by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake to help improve the program's accuracy. This is the first case in which JAXA is collaborating with a local government to develop a program. They aim to finish by the end of fiscal 2026. The program is expected to implement municipalities to take initial disaster responses in a swift manner. JAXA uses satellites to ascertain the shape of ground surfaces, such as elevations and sinkholes, on a regular basis. A radar using radio waves obtains images of ground surfaces during the day and night regardless of the weather conditions, while the Advanced Land Observing Satellite-2 'DAICHI-2' (ALOS-2) is capable of imaging an area extending 50 kilometers east-to-west and 'DAICHI-4,' a successor to Daichi-2 whose operation fully started this spring, increased the observation range to 200 kilometers. In case of a natural disaster, JAXA plans to use these satellite images to estimate damage to buildings by comparing and analyzing the shapes of buildings and ground surfaces before and after the disaster. Then, the agency would inform municipalities concerned of the damage estimates to help them choose areas to be prioritized in rescue efforts from a wide range of areas. However, compared to damage estimates in flooded areas, creating accurate damage estimates in an earthquake has been difficult because many different patterns exist in the ways that homes collapse in an earthquake. 'Bitter experience' in Noto JAXA has been developing the program to estimate earthquake damage to buildings since around 2020. However, it failed to provide accurate damage information after the Noto Peninsula Earthquake that occurred on Jan. 1, 2024, causing some municipalities to estimate only 10% of all buildings that were affected by the earthquake. 'The data on the damage to several hundreds residential buildings in certain areas were inputted into the program. However, the data was incomplete as we failed to cover all areas,' said Shiro Kawakita, a senior engineer at JAXA. 'We had a bitter experience in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake.' Learning from the experience, JAXA decided to use damage data on about 200,000 residential buildings in the Kumamoto Earthquake to improve the analytical precision of the program and proposed the idea to the prefectural government in May 2024. In January, the agency and the Kumamoto Prefecture signed an agreement. According to JAXA, many different areas were affected by the Kumamoto Earthquake, including urban locations as well as areas surrounded by mountains that did not suffer damage caused by tsunami or fire. Data from the earthquake would show damage only from the earthquake itself, allowing JAXA to develop a highly versatile program that can be applied to disaster-affected areas across the country. The prefectural government asked 16 municipalities where more than 1,000 residential buildings were damaged, such as Kumamoto and Mashiki, for cooperation and obtained approval from them to provide data for the JAXA program. To issue disaster-victim certificates, municipal officials visited each individual building that was damaged in the earthquake and classified the structures into four levels: 'completely destroyed,' 'partially destroyed on a large scale,' 'half destroyed' and 'partially destroyed.' JAXA will input satellite images from before and after an earthquake along with the location information of buildings and their damage levels into the program so that estimating the extent of damage can be done more accurately and quickly than before. 'We're glad that the data collected one by one by municipal officials will be used nationwide,' said Taishi Wada, a Kumamoto prefectural government official in charge of the project. Lessons applied nationwide The prefectural government is currently making adjustments with respective municipalities to provide data to JAXA. When the program is completed, estimating the damage to buildings will reportedly be able to be done in two or three hours after an earthquake occurs. 'We want to make it possible to understand the extent of damage as quickly as possible so that we can support [municipalities] in ensuring the safety of rescue workers and people affected by a disaster,' Kawakita said. Kumamoto Gov. Takashi Kimura said: 'It is our sincere hope that the lessons from the Kumamoto Earthquake are used for disaster responses across the nation. We would like to work together with [JAXA] to improve disaster response capabilities.'
Zawya
26-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Tenchijin Selected as Data Service Provider of Japan Space Agency's Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 (ALOS-4)
TOKYO, JAPAN - Media OutReach Newswire - 26 February 2025 - Tenchijin, Inc. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Yasuhito Sakuraba), a Japanese satellite tech company endorsed by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency JAXA, has been selected as a data service provider to utilize the PALSAR-3 observation data of Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 'DAICHI-4'(ALOS-4), which is carried out by Space Technology Directorate I of JAXA. Tenchijin will provide data services to the general public using ALOS-4 observation data until March 2028. This will be the first online sale¹ of such data in Japan and will enable anyone to easily and immediately purchase the data of their interest in a small area at a low price. The timing of the service will be announced shortly. ¹Users can select data, place orders, and make payments all online. About Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 'DAICHI-4'(ALOS-4) The Advanced Land Observing Satellite-4 (ALOS-4) is a satellite that observes Earth's surface using its onboard phased array type L-band synthetic aperture radar (PALSAR-3). The L-band radar technology has continuously been developed in Japan. With further improved observation performance compared to the predecessor PALSAR-2 aboard the DAICHI-2 (ALOS-2), JAXA and its prime contractor, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, are developing the satellite, aiming to achieve both high resolution and a broader observation swath. Unlike observations by an optical sensor, radar images can be acquired day and night, as it does not require sunlight. Moreover, since radio waves can penetrate clouds, the images can be obtained regardless of weather conditions. The ALOS-4 will leverage these merits for observing and monitoring disaster-hit areas, forests, and sea ice. In addition, it will also challenge new areas, such as monitoring infrastructure displacement. Reference: About the Public Solicitation for Data Service Provider Using Observation Data of ALOS-4 JAXA aims to provide data and services to the general public, mainly through the private sector, as part of its efforts to expand the ALOS-4 observation data and service business through public-private partnerships. This time, as part of the public solicitation for the selection of the private-sector operator, JAXA requested proposals for a project to provide ALOS-4 data to general users until FY2027. Proposals were requested to include an outline of the project, including a mechanism for general users to access ALOS-4 observation data, a project concept and vision, a schedule and implementation structure, and other information such as the price for providing data services. Reference: Tenchijin's Thoughts on the Space Industry Tenchijin has launched a new initiative to expand the use of satellite data in Japan. Satellite data has the power to solve social issues in a wide range of fields, including agriculture, disaster prevention, urban planning, and energy. However, in Japan, issues such as technical hurdles, cost, and lack of awareness have hindered the spread of data. The goal of Tenchijin is to change this situation and transform satellite data from something special to something familiar. ALOS-4, launched by JAXA in 2024, will play an innovative role in the fields of crustal deformation, disaster prevention, forest management, and agriculture with the world's highest resolution and observation coverage. For example, in disaster-prone Japan, the ability to observe at night and under bad weather conditions can be utilized to quickly assess damage from heavy rainfall and earthquake disasters. In addition, the system is expected to be used in a variety of ways toward a sustainable society, such as estimating forest carbon stocks and determining crop acreage in the agricultural sector. Tenchijin will make the data provided by ALOS-4 available to as many people as possible. First, Tenchijin will provide an intuitive platform that is easy for anyone to use, enabling data analysis without special knowledge. In addition, Tenchijin will develop a service model with low introduction costs to create an environment in which small and medium-sized companies and local governments can easily utilize the service. Furthermore, Tenchijin will proactively disseminate best practices and work to ensure that the value of satellite data is widely recognized. In addition, Tenchijin will focus on human resource development through training and workshops to broaden the base of professionals who can handle data. Tenchijin will also work with local governments, private companies, and educational institutions to build an ecosystem that can solve social issues from a variety of perspectives. The power of data will change the future. Based on this belief, Tenchijin will do its utmost to realize a sustainable future by maximizing the power of satellite data. About Tenchijin COMPASS In July 2022, Tenchijin released a free plan for its land evaluation engine, Tenchijin COMPASS. Tenchijin COMPASS is a land evaluation service that comprehensively analyzes, visualizes, and provides data based on various data, including big data from earth observation satellites. It can be customized for various purposes, from agricultural production to urban development, and it can find the best land for business from space. Many people think of satellite data as photos taken from satellites. Images taken from satellites are typical satellite data, but Tenchijin COMPASS can also obtain weather information such as precipitation, topographical information represented by 3D maps, and surface temperatures observed by infrared light anywhere in the world. Tenchijin COMPASS also allows to overlay ground data and performance data that are already available to perform composite analysis. How to use Tenchijin COMPASS ・Cost: free ・Supported languages: English, Japanese ・Supported browsers: Google Chrome recommended, PC only ・Website URL: Contact: info-compass@ Hashtag: #Tenchijin #Space #SatelliteTechnology #Sustainability The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Tenchijin, Inc. E-Mail: info@ (person in charge of communication: Keisuke Sunagare) Address: THE EAST Nihonbashi 1-chome ROOM13, 5th floor, Mitsui Building, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Representative: Yasuhito Sakuraba, CEO Business content: land evaluation consulting using satellite data Business activities: land valuation consultancy, service development and operation using satellite data Main clients Water: Tokyo city, Aomori city, Fukushima city Agriculture: Shinmei Corporation, Seiwa Corporation Telecommunication: Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation Tenchijin welcomes any inquiries from companies in the water-related business sector. (contact email: info@ person in charge: Keitaro Asaba) Tenchijin, Inc.
