Galactic Maser Astrometry with VERA

VERA has been regularly conducting astrometry of Galactic maser sources for ∼ 20 years, producing more than 100 measurements of parallaxes and proper motions of star-forming regions as well as AGB stars. By combining the observational results obtained by VLBA BeSSeL, EVN, and LBA, maser astrometry provides a unique opportunity to explore the fundamental structure of the Galaxy. Here we present the view of the Galaxy revealed by the maser astrometry, and also discuss the importance of maser astrometry in the era of GAIA by comparing the results obtained by VLBI and GAIA. We also present our view of “proper motions toward the future” of the relevant field, expected in the next decade based on global collaborations.