• IT will be used as an engine of growth based on a growth strategy to overcome Japan's impasses and achieve continuous growth

Figure 2-1-1-5 GDP boost from ICT investment

(Source) "Study Report on Accelerating Economic Growth with ICT: Challenges and Solutions," MIC (2014)

### 2. Japan's initiatives toward an ICT-driven economic strategy

As stated so far, ICT is a growth engine for Japan and further ICT usage is imperative for our country’s growth strategies. This is why the government has positioned ICT as a pillar of its growth strategy.

## (1) Declaration to be the World's Most Advanced IT Nation

The original Declaration to be the World's Most Advanced IT Nation and its roadmap were released by the IT Strategic Headquarters in June 2013. The IT Strategic Headquarters released a revised version in June 2014 that clarified and expanded on the original details and spelled out initiatives for FY 2014 and beyond. The revisions were based on a PDCA management cycle by various groups including the New Strategy Promotion Investigating Committee, lead by the government CIO, and deliberations by the newly instituted Strategic Council for Promoting the Use of IT Communications (Figure 2-1-2-1).

## (2) MIC initiative—Smart Japan ICT Strategy

MIC set up the Council on ICT Strategy and Policy for Growth, chaired by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, in February 2013 to study, from multiple perspectives, policies and other measures that utilize ICT as a prime growth driver for Japan's economy and as an ace contributor to the international community while tracking global developments. The Council compiled the ICT Growth Strategy in June 2013. Later, the ICT Growth Strategy Promotion Committee, also chaired by the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, was launched in January 2014 to facilitate the steady enactment of the ICT Growth Strategy. As well as studying new issues, this Committee endeavors to ensure the steady fulfillment of the ICT Growth Strategy, by managing and assessing the overall progress of the ICT Growth Strategy, a process that includes among other aspects studies by the ICT Town Development Promotion Council and other committees and initiatives.

## Figure 2-1-2-1 Declaration to be the World's Most Advanced IT Nation

### I. Basic Principles

• Japan is a developed country with major issues, including a low birth rate and aging population, rising social welfare expenditures, and the necessity to deal with major natural disasters

2. Becoming a Society that Utilizes IT at the World's Highest Levels

• The 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games are an opportunity to showcase to the world our advanced IT utilization in Japan

• Based on reviews of past results, the IT Strategic Headquarters and the government CIO will implement IT strategic measures and address policy issues throughout the government by breaking down vertical barriers in ministries

• Use IT to expand perspectives with the aim of breaking down organizational barriers, systems and rules, and demonstrating, presenting, and internationally deploying successful models

• Implement over the course of about five years (through 2020)

### I I. The Society that Japan Should Seek to

Take action based on the following three pillars to become the world's most advanced nation in the use and application of IT, and deploy the results internationally

1. Create a society that encourages the creation of new and innovative industries and services and growth

• Promote private sector access to public data (open data) and support the use of big data (distribution and use of personal data, etc.)

• Raise levels in agriculture and related industries to make them into intelligent industries, and • Encourage open innovation

• Rejuvenate local communities (including remote islands), and · Create new businesses in the film industry by establishing next-generation broadcasting services

• Convey Japanese hospitality with the use and application of cutting-edge IT that underpins the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games and other large events

2. The world's safest and most disaster-resilient society where people can live safely, with peace of mind, and comfort

• Create a healthy, longevity society, and • The world’s most disaster-resilient society

• Conduct efficient and stable energy management, and · Achieve the world's safest, most environmentally-friendly, and most economical road transportation system

• Respond to diversifying work formats and achieve a good work-life balance

3. Create a society with one-stop public services that anyone can access and use from anywhere at any time

• Provide highly convenient electronic government services, and • Reform national and local government administrative information systems

• Reinforce IT governance in government