Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > November 2018 > Ceremony to Commemorate the Launch of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System “Michibiki” Service
The Prime Minister in Action
Ceremony to Commemorate the Launch of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System “Michibiki” Service
November 1, 2018
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering a congratulatory address
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering a congratulatory address
Photograph of the Prime Minister delivering a congratulatory address
Photograph of the Prime Minister attending the ceremony
Photograph of the Prime Minister attending the ceremony
Photograph of the Prime Minister attending the ceremony
Photograph of the Prime Minister attending the ceremony
[Provisional Translation]
On November 1, 2018, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attended the ceremony to commemorate the launch of the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) “Michibiki” Service, held in Tokyo.
The Prime Minister said in his congratulatory address,
“The long-awaited Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) ‘Michibiki’ positioning service has finally been launched today.
It has been 40 years since the United States first launched its positioning satellites, the Global Positioning System (GPS), into orbit. GPS is an integral part of our lives, including for car navigation systems and mapping apps.
Today, thanks to ‘Michibiki (meaning ‘guidance’ in Japanese),’ a new page in history is being opened. This world-first satellite positioning service with centimeter-level accuracy will lead the way to the society of the near future.
From outer space to the Earth. Automated tractors will surely enhance the productivity of the agricultural industry, with high precision that enables the planting of seedlings in a straight line with minimal space between them. These automated tractors would then work day and night, in the rain and wind, without rest.
Drone-based home delivery services will likely change the nature of logistics fundamentally. Goods will be delivered accurately, door-to-door, in even the most crowded residential areas, at the desired time and regardless of traffic.
As its name suggests, ‘Michibiki’ will guide us to Society 5.0, the society of the future. There are high hopes for the ever greater use of this satellite system in a wide range of fields. The Government aims to expand the system to a seven-satellite constellation by FY2023, with the goal of achieving an even more stable positioning service.
More than 10 years have passed since its conception. I am sure that taking on this challenge, the first of its kind in the world, must have required much hard work. I would like to express my utmost respect for the efforts of the engineers responsible for the development and all those involved with this project.
To what degree will the ‘Michibiki’ change our lives? I hope to follow its progress with great excitement, together with you all. With that, I would like to conclude my address.”
