In Japanese social studies education,only memorizing place names and local characteristics had been important in examinations at school or entrance screening for higher education. In a new curriculum in high school called ‘Geography’ started in April 2022,more importance is placed upon knowledge application and problem solving on social and regional issues such as environmental issues and disaster mitigation. Geography-related academic societies and organizations discussed and developed teaching materials for teachers in high schools. Their activities are often carried out by experts without taking account the real needs at school,resulting that developed materials are very often neglected from teachers in Japan. This research conducted questionnaires on the recognition of geography and maps to high school students and their teachers. The result showed that many students had not used and read atlas in junior high school,and their teachers did not have enough understanding about geography and maps. In addition to the expansion of support content for specialist teachers of geography,it is required for non-specialist teachers to support on the basic understanding of geography and on the setting up of subjects and questions that are used in map-based thinking.