Although “Citizen Science” in Japan has a long history, it became popular in 1970s. Many grass-root programs had been deployed across the country, as well as nation-wide surveys were also conducted. Those activities had expanded not only for collecting scientific data but also as a “citizens movement” to enlighten the importance of nature and to solve social issues associated with urbanization and pollution. In 1990s, participatory “indicator species” survey program became more common, and large-scale programs were conducted many times by the government.

Recent citizen science will enter a “new phase.” New political needs such as biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem management in broader scale results in the launching of new programs. For example, Monitoring Sites 1000 Satoyama, the collaboration program with the Minister of Environment and the national NGO (NACS-J), is conducted by about 1,500 voluntary surveyors and more than 100,000 data are obtained every year. In recent nationwide waterfowl survey and bumblebee survey, statistical analysis and internet technology play important roles to realize effective communication and decision-making Another change is that “organizations” such as NGO, museum, and local government became running program, and education and data analysis have be conducted more systematically.