Japanese notation for chronostratigraphic and geochronologic units

Abstract

There exist problems regarding the Japanese notation for chronostratigraphic and geochronologic units, as proposed by Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS). The first problem is the inappropriate translation into Japanese of the terms “Lower/Early, Middle/Middle, and Upper/Late” applied to Series/Epoch units in the International Stratigraphic Chart. The second problem is the inappropriate word order of System/Period units and Series/Epoch units. These problems can be overcome by using logical notation in which the terms “Lower/Early, Middle/Middle, and Upper/Late” for Series/Epoch units are translated as “kabutou/kose, chubutou/chuse, and joubutou/shinse” in Japanese. Although the Geological Society of Japan recommends the use of the JIS-style notation, the revised notation (as summarized here) is more logical and appropriate.