# Section 6

# Promoting Network Contents Distribution and Developing Human Resources

## 1 Promoting the Production, Distribution and Preservation of Content

As the construction of an advanced info-communications infrastructure proceeds with the spread of optical fiber and the start of digital broadcasting, finding ways to promote the use of this infrastructure has become a major issue. It was thus addressed in the “e-Japan Priority Policy Program 2004,” the “Intellectual Property Strategic Program 2004” and in other initiatives drawn up by the Government’s IT Strategy Headquarters and Intellectual Property Strategic Headquarters.

Further addressing these issues, the MIC has developed multi-content multi-use technology aimed at appropriately protecting content-related rights in the various scenarios of use, while securing high levels of freedom and convenience for the use of content on personal communication networks. The MIC also engaged in R&D related to technologies that enable efficient and secure editing and the distribution of high-quality video content of 8 megapixels such as digital cinema over networks, building and testing technologies and systems capable of archiving Web information and promoting their use (such information, which is a particularly valuable asset as it encompasses knowledge and culture in digital form, is easily deleted or lost during daily updates), and so on. In addition, in order to create an environment in which users can easily assess the safety of content, the MIC is actively promoting the establishment of a system, tentatively named the "Content Safety Mark," as a way for Web site builders to demonstrate that their sites are free of illegal or harmful content.

## 2 Developing human resources

The MIC implements the “Support System for Infocommunications Human Resources Training Projects” for subsidizing public-private ventures and public-service corporations that implement information and communications training programs, with the aim of developing personnel with expert knowledge and skills in the information and communications fields. Also, in order to effectively and intensively develop personnel who can appropriately deal with ICT security incidents such as unauthorized access and cyber attacks, the MIC started the “Support System for the Opening of the InfoCommunications Security Human Resources Training Centers” in fiscal 2004 for financially assisting facility development of public-private ventures that develop practical training facilities.

Furthermore, from fiscal 2005, the MIC is investigating and studying the abilities required for high-level ICT personnel, such as project managers and CIO, who can engage in strategic digitization in companies, and the practical method for developing such personnel under industry-university-government cooperation. At the same time, the MIC is engaged in “Development Advanced Info-Communications Human Resources Training Programs” in which model educational programs for fostering these personnel are developed.

## Section 7

## Protecting Information and Communications Users

## 1 Consumer administration in telecommunications services

## (1) Measures against spam

The MIC set up the Study Group on a Framework to Handle Spam in October 2004, and has been conducting an extensive study on the necessary measures for restraint/prevention of spam distribution, such as law enforcement by the government, self-regulation by telecommunication carriers, technical solutions, awareness and international cooperation.

Based on the discussions in this study group, the MIC promoted the consideration to amend the current law, and submitted a bill partially amending the Law on Regulation of Transmission of Specified Electronic Mail to the 162nd session of the Diet in March 2005. The bill included expansion of the scope of specified e-mail, expansion of the scope of prohibited transmission of e-mail to a fictitious e-mail address, prohibition from transmitting e-mails by using false sender information,