Preparation of The National Atlas of Japan, revised edition

Summary

This report describes the organization, editorial policies, and cartographic workflows of the Geographical Survey Institute of Japan’s 1986–1990 project to revise The National Atlas of Japan. Published in November 1990 in Japanese and English versions, the revised edition comprises 218 pages containing 235 thematic maps and explanatory texts across 14 subjects. Committee oversight supported data collection and analysis, the establishment of classification and presentation rules, cartographic production, proofing, and binding. Approximately 60% of the thematic maps were compiled using the Computer-aided Cartographic Processing System (CCPS), with manual work incorporated, chiefly for choropleth, circle-graph, and distribution maps. The report details base-map scanning and vectorization, statistical data matching, interactive editing, file management, and output procedures. It reports simpler workflows, shorter production times, and lower costs than traditional manual techniques. Outstanding issues include computer processing of complex thematic maps and fully automated compilation. Future plans address timely updating of high-demand thematic maps, an electronic atlas, and online integration of data held by government agencies.