\begin{article}

\title{Japan Chapter}
\maketitle

\begin{itemize}
\item  Contact name: \textbf{Toru Mori}
\item Website: \url{http://www.osgeo.jp}
\end{itemize}

\section{Key Accomplishments}
Held the 4th annual conference in November in \href{http://www.osgeo.jp/foss4g2009-in-tokyo/}{Tokyo} and \href{http://www.osgeo.jp/%E3%82%A4%E3%83%99%E3%83%B3%E3%83%88/foss4g2009-in-osaka/}{Osaka}, attended 150 active people. 

\begin{itemize}
\item Invited Arnulf Christl, president of OSGeo Foundation, to give them a speech and promoted OSGeo and its community. Chris Holmes, Eugenio Realini, Gerald Fenoy and many local speakers gave talks.

\item Held 4 hands-on sessions (pgRouting, MapServer, GeoServer and QuantumGIS)  both in Tokyo and Osaka.

\item In this event, we organized collaboration with other "geo-friendly" communities such as GeoMedia (geo mash up folks), Open Street Map Japan and Android.
\end{itemize}

\noindent Five local sponsors, Osaka-city University, Autodesk Japan, Ouyougijyutsu, Mapconcielge and Orkney.

\noindent Organized various community activities such as:
\begin{itemize}
\item  FOSS4G meeting at annual ecology society meeting in Iwate Japan
\item  "Osaka mini event" in September. Eugenio Realini, Nicolas Bozon and Naoki Ueda gave talks
\item  QGIS hands on at National Institute for Agro-Environmental Science in Tsukuba Japan
\item  Launch QGIS localization project
\item  FOSS4G session at annual GIS society meeting in Niigata Japan
\item  Support and promote Japanese version of "GRASS GIS book" (Markus \& Helena)
\item  Launch \href{http://www.mext.go.jp/english/}{MEXT} funded project which promotes use of satellite imagery by using FOSS4G tools such as GRASS and QGIS
\end{itemize}

\noindent Promoted OSGeo.JP activities to international OSGeo community.

\noindent \\ Organized local board committee regularly.


\section{Areas for Improvement}
\begin{itemize}
\item  Enhanced \href{http://www.osgeo.jp/}{local website} (in Japanese language).
\item  Increased registered local chapter members.
\end{itemize}

\section{Opportunities to Help}
\begin{itemize}
\item  Join and express your opinions to our local mailing lists.
\item  Contribute translated material for OSGeo.org pages.
\item  Become sponsor of the Japan Chapter and support local activities financially.
\end{itemize}

\section{Outlook for 2010}
\begin{itemize}
\item  Enrich the local OSGeo web site.
\item  Increase number of local mailing lists subscribers from 170 (current) to 300.
\item  Fifth annual conference (currently scheduled in November).
\item  Organize off line activities such as face to face meetings and beer parties!
\end{itemize}
\end{article}