Figure 1-3-1-2 Big Data analysis scheme (macro and micro surveys)

(Source) MIC "Survey Research on Impacts of ICT Innovations on Japan's Socioeconomic System" (2013)

tion impacted the perception, decision and implementation? The development of M2M (machine to machine) communications for automatic recognition and control has allowed data acquisition and implementation to be optimized without human labor. In addition, the diffusion of massive data analysis tools has enabled more accurate massive data to be analyzed.

Furthermore, the qualitative improvement and lowered prices of computers, software, storage and networks have allowed more massive data to be created, distributed, accumulated, analyzed and utilized more quickly. The diffusion and lowered prices of broadband networks have enabled users to use faster broadband networks at lower prices.

Although operational decisions had traditionally depended on skilled persons' implicit knowledge, Big Data utilization has also allowed operational decisions to be reflected in operational systems for the explication of knowledge.

## (3) Figuring out Big Data realities in Japan

### a. Life cycle of Big Data

Big Data is created, distributed, accumulated and made available for analyses before being analyzed and utilized. In this process, massive data may disappear or remain in dead storage. Big Data that is actually analyzed and utilized may be limited to only a small portion of the created data. Some of accumulated data may be redistributed and accumulated for different purposes before being analyzed and utilized.

### b. Big Data analysis scheme

We considered two methods for measuring Big Data and actually estimated the data volume and potential effects of Big Data utilization.

(a) In estimating Big Data distribution and accumulation volumes, we calculated data volumes from the creation of original data to the distribution/accumulation stage at macro and industrial levels. (b) In measuring potential effects of Big Data utilization, we analyzed what effects Big Data available for analyses produce on the actual preparation of business strategies and in-house decisions at the corporate level (Figure 1-3-1-2).

### 2. Measuring Big Data information distribution and accumulation (macro survey)

## (1) Framework

### a. Measurement targets

Given that the corporate sector is a major economic agent that utilizes Big Data for creating social and economic values, we limited measurement targets to enterprises and data that enterprises receive electronically, before considering a framework and trying the measurement.

### b. Compiling data creation/distribution/accumulation process concept

In the process of data creation, distribution or accumulation, digital data created at some point may be distributed to individual economic agents through communications networks and accumulated. The first cycle of data creation, distribution and accumulation may be completed here. In this process, all or some of the created data may be distributed and accumulated depending on the characteristics (the first data distribution process).

Digital data’s major feature is that accumulated data are recreated through copying, processing and aggregation into new data that may be distributed and accumulated. Digital data may thus be recreated, redistributed and reaccumulated (the second data distribution process).

### c. Data distribution/accumulation volume estimation scope and estimation target data

Given the accelerated data volume expansion of digital data through a multi-stage repeat of the data cre-