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GPS technology in the United States is handled by the US Airforce, whereas Japan’s systems are: the Multi-functional Transport Satellite, Satellite-based Augmentation System, and Quasi-Zenith Satellite Systems. These systems are similar, but without intergovernmental cooperation, they do not work together as they use different protocols.

The US and Japan first agreed to work together with their GPS systems in 1998, as per the “Joint Statement on Cooperation in the Use of the Global Positioning System.” They have cooperated for civil navigation reasons. For example, the two countries’ services use shared data for mapping and construction surveying. If an American business wants to look into a Japanese construction site, they can do so using the Japanese data.

A Meeting of Two Navigation Giants

Recently, this atmosphere of cooperation continued with a meeting of representatives from both countries to discuss shared GPS tracking services and MTSAT protocols. Both groups said that this was critical, especially in light of the recently widespread uses of both technologies. They discussed the use of the space-based positional services for peaceful purposes, and reiterated the need for these services to be free of charge.

This meeting, in a sense, was a preparation for the International Committee on Global Navigation Satellite Systems in Tokyo, which will occur in September 2011. If this meeting is any indication, Japan and the USA will continue to work together with their satellite navigation systems technologies even as these technologies expand.

Article Written by Greg Minton