Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
to promote the usage of electronic public administration services include promoting the penetration of the Internet into households and businesses, understanding the needs of residents and businesses, creating a security infrastructure, and creating the infrastructure for a broadband network. With respect to the type of Internet connection terminals for using the electronic public administration services, residents in the age group 20 to 40 would like the creation of an environment that would allow them to effectively utilize existing Internet connection terminals such as PCs at home, PCs in schools and offices, cell phones, and PHS. On the other hand, in the age group 50 and over, particularly 60 and over, there is an increasing expectation for new types of Internet connection terminals such as kiosk terminals and easy-to-use information terminals. Furthermore, in the age group 60 and over there is a strong desire for the use of kiosk terminals in public facilities such as city halls and government offices. Also, with respect to how local governments keep themselves posted concerning the needs of residents and businesses related to the design of electronic municipalities, some local public agencies are conducting surveys in the form of questionnaires and are holding study groups and discussions. Going forward, it is desirable that other local organizations and groups likewise actively implement similar measures, which would contribute to the realization of highly convenient electronic municipalities based on the local needs of residents and businesses.

## Towards the Realization of User-Friendly E-Municipalities

According to a survey, the most desired area of public administration for which the earlier digitization of public services is anticipated by local residents is medical and health care (71.0%), which is intimately related to the daily lives of people, followed by welfare for the elderly and challenged, and pensions (60.2%), and resident personal data (60.8%) which affects every resident in some way. Furthermore, the area in which the highest priority should be placed is resident personal data (48.3%), which has garnered more than twice as much interest as other areas and as a result the earliest development in this area is anticipated. On the other hand, in contrast to the case of residents, differentials in the ranking of the areas of public administration by local businesses are relatively narrow, which suggests that they would prefer to see the promotion of electronic public administrative services in a wide variety of areas. In addition, in a survey on how residents and local businesses would like to receive public administrative services as a result of the realization of electronic municipalities, a number of residents would like to electronically receive public administration information in the areas of cultural assets,

Exhibit 1-22 Methods of Electronically Offering Desired Public Services by Areas of Public Administration (Respondents: Residents)

Electronic offering of public administration information

Source: Survey of Administrative Information Intensification in Local Government
Exhibit 1-23 Keys to the Realization of Electronic Administrative Procedures

Source: Survey of Administrative Information Intensification in Local Government

processing applications and notices be realized it was important to ensure that the contents of applications will not be divulged and that the identity of applicants can be verified (Exhibit 1-23).

## Trends Overseas

As in the case of Japan, other countries have been promoting measures towards the realization of electronic municipalities. For example, in Seattle, Washington, a public hearing via telephone, which is called Public Access Network (PAN), was held in December 1994, and in December 1995 "City of Seattle"

(http://www.cityofseattle.net/), a Web site for the city operated by its IT department, was launched. The Web site makes available a city directory which allows the user to search for the e-mail addresses, names, and departments of all employees of the city, and it receives almost 100,000 e-mails from its residents in a month. In addition, the Web site not only allows its users to engage in various administrative procedures such as change of address and to make payments for fines for traffic violations, but it also makes available a live webcast of city council meetings and allows city residents to express their opinions via e-mail during the meetings. In the area of services intended for businesses, Maryland has launched eMaryland M@rketplace (http://www.marylandmarketplace.com/emm/index.cfm), which supports electronic delivery and cooperation between businesses.
# REALIZATION OF A NATIONAL LIFE THAT EVOKES FEELINGS OF COMFORT AND AFFLUENCE

## Utilization of Information and

## Communications in Everyday Life

In a survey on the need for the Internet in everyday life two out of three Internet users felt that the Internet was absolute must in everyday life, suggesting that the Internet has become a basic necessity of life (Exhibit 1-24).

Furthermore, with respect to the frequency of use of the Internet, the survey found that more than 30% of users access the Internet at least once a day.

In terms of how the Internet is used, the use of e-mail ranks as number one, which was the same as two years earlier. In addition, e-mail magazines and the gathering and searching for information have also become popular reasons for making use of the Internet. Furthermore, compared to two years earlier a relatively substantial growth has been seen in consumption related to the use of the Internet such as on-line shopping (a 37.8 point increase) and on-line auctions (a 25.6 point increase). Other than the above, the use of the Internet for the purpose of on-line games, receiving and downloading moving images, and e-learning, all of which are compatible with broadband, has also increased, showing signs of the full-fledged penetration of these services. Also, it is clear from the increase in the number of purposes and uses for which the Internet is being engaged compared to two years earlier that Internet usage has become diversified (Exhibit 1-25).

It is believed that the use of the Internet can benefit users in many ways. With regard to the evaluation by users of the Internet on “improving convenience in national life,” “promoting the diversification of lifestyles,” and “expanding opportunities for consumers to make independent, rational selections,” as stated in Article 5 of the Basic Law on the Formation of an Advanced Information and Telecommunications Network Society, approximately 90% of Internet users surveyed gave a positive evaluation of the Internet with regard to how it has enhanced the convenience of their lives. In addition, 70% of those users felt that the Internet has enabled them to select a suitable lifestyle, while only

Exhibit 1-24 How the Internet is Perceived by Users in Everyday Life

Source: Survey and Analyses of IT and National Life
Exhibit 1-25 Trends in Internet Usage by Purpose (multiple answers permitted, excerpts)

Source: Survey and Analyses of IT and National Life

slightly over 50% of users felt that the Internet has allowed them to better consume goods and services.

In terms of the specific effects of Internet usage on daily activities, many Internet users via PCs are pleased with the effect of advanced information gathering, which enables them to collect technical and hard-to-find information (94.1%) and to gather information quickly as compared to magazines and books (93.8%). In addition, roughly three out of four users are aware of the effect of freedom from time and spatial constraints, as they are now able to conduct their business without leaving home (77.3%) and to do so at anytime they choose (74.2%). Notwithstanding the foregoing, a relatively small number of users were impressed with the effect on the revitalization of their social activities, allowing them to send personal opinions to the public (63.1%) and create more opportunities for them to make friends (42.8%). On the other hand, with respect to the use of Internet via cell phones, most users were pleased with the freedom from time and spatial constraints, which is a unique feature provided by the cell phone.

In a comparison of the status of Internet

usage in the United States, widely known as an advanced IT country, the penetration of Internet usage in Japan has been lagging behind the United States by almost one year. In addition, Japan shows a lower ratio of users for any purpose of the Internet use than does the United States.

Two areas of Internet service which Internet users would like to take advantage more of in the future on PCs are consumption related services such as the sales of goods that are not in use on on-line auctions and booking tickets for transportation and rooms at accommodation facilities, and leisure-related services such as downloading movies and music, and gathering information related to leisure. On the other hand, concerning cell phone Internet services, a number of users showed an interest in those services focused on mobility such as transferring information on transportation and map information.

Other than the above services, new types of services which utilize the Internet have begun to emerge, such as consumer-oriented product development, e-learning, and on-line career change support.
## I mprovement in Information Literacy

In a survey of Internet usage among students in elementary, middle, and high schools, it was found that 70% to 80% of these groups use the Internet for less than an hour per day. In terms of the frequency of usage, 34% of high school students surveyed use the Internet almost everyday. When this is combined with those who use it three or four times a week, almost 50% of all high school students use the Internet regularly. On the other hand, over 40% of middle school students and less than 20% of elementary school students use the Internet almost daily or three or four times a week. Even though this indicates that the younger the user the less frequently he or she uses the Internet, it is apparent that the Internet is beginning to penetrate into the everyday lives of children in elementary and middle schools. Furthermore, the Internet is most commonly used for games among all three age groups. In addition, 40% to 50% of these young people access homepages, while around 30% of them use email. Also, it has been found that the Internet is used differently according to the stage of growth, such as coloring and drawing for elementary school students and word processing for high school students. Under the circumstances, it is necessary for young students to

acquire the ability to properly utilize the Internet and other methods of information and communications and actively select, process, and send information. At the same time, it is important for them to acquire the ability to understand information media, develop information morale, and to think about the responsibility for information. In reflecting upon the foregoing, the government has expanded the area of information education under the New Courses of Study which were launched in fiscal 2002. In addition, a study on worldwide Web content according to language indicates that even though a variety of languages can be found, English content accounts for the majority at 68.4% of the worldwide Web content (Exhibit 1-26). Going forward, it is essential that efforts be focused on improving foreign language ability including English in order to take advantage of the Internet, which is a global media, as a means of international interaction. For this reason, an expanded curriculum for foreign languages in elementary and middle education and beyond is desired for the future.

In order to effectively promote information education in the Japanese school system, the government has been developing the infrastructure for an environment that would enable computers and the Internet to be utilized in all

Exhibit 1-26 Ratio of Languages Used in Web Content

Source: Global Research Institute Inc.
classes in all grades by fiscal 2005. As of March 2001 computers were installed for student use in practically all public middle and high schools. In addition, 75.8% of all public schools have Internet connections (a 27.1 point increase over the previous fiscal year). While there has been a significant increase in the number of schools which have launched their own hompages, these schools accounted for 33.9% of all public schools with Internet connections, which is virtually unchanged from the previous fiscal year. Going forward, it is important for schools to utilize their homepages and promote the transmission of information which is a unique feature of the Internet.

With respect to Internet literacy concerning the ability of users to navigate the Internet, the overall average score has increased steadily to 6.5 at the present time from 4.8 two years ago. In addition, an improvement has been made in the ability to utilize the Internet in all aspects

(Exhibit 1-27). Furthermore, in an analysis of Internet literacy by gender, age, and occupation, a wide gap was found in Internet literacy according to occupation, with housewives scoring low as compared to office workers and students. This is perhaps explained by the fact that housewives have fewer opportunities to access the Internet than office workers and students. With respect to the ability to properly utilize the Internet, it is important to be aware of information security on the Internet and to improve Internet usage manners to avoid causing other users trouble. In terms of the awareness of information security, even though only a small number of people surveyed change passwords on a regular basis, nearly 80% were aware of the security issue. Also, in regard to Internet usage manners, about 40% of respondents did not attach a signature which would show their contact address and other information when sending e-mail, and 30% were not aware of copyrights on information and who were the recipients of an e-mail which had been sent via CC:.

In order to realize a society where every Japanese citizen will be able to receive the benefits of IT, it is important that people acquire the ability to utilize an advanced information and communications network in order to obtain, share, and transmit a wide variety of information and knowledge on a global scale. In fiscal

Exhibit 1-27 Changes in Internet Literacy

Source: Survey and Analyses of IT and National Life
2000, the Japanese government granted prefectures a subsidy (approx. ¥54.5 billion) to assist local municipalities and public agencies to teach their residents basic IT skills (basic operation of a PC, creation of documents, how to use the Internet, and how to send and receive email) by sponsoring basic IT skills seminars. As of the end of fiscal 2001, approximately 5.5 million citizens (adults only) had attended these seminars.

In terms of the development of human resources to utilize IT, in addition to the development of the information literacy which is necessary in everyday life, it is also crucial to foster IT technicians who can make an important contribution to businesses by fully utilizing information and communications. A survey conducted on what kind of abilities businesses seek in people with specialized IT knowledge indicates that in the area of technology there has been an increase in the number of businesses that are focused on security-related abilities from three years earlier, while fewer businesses are now focused on abilities related to network, mainframe, and multi-purpose facilities. In addition, in the area of skills, there has been a shift of focus from technical ability related to information and communications to a designing and planning ability in order to generate high value-added services by utilizing information and communications and to stand out from competitors.

## Seizing Digital Opportunities

A survey on Internet usage shows that teenagers has the largest rate of Internet usage of Internet users (72.8%), which is a reflection of the increased use of the Internet at school. In addition, a comparison of Internet usage according to age group between Japan and the United States shows that in the age group 14 to 49 Internet usage is roughly the same between the two countries, while in the age groups 10 to 13 and over 50 Internet usage is higher in the United States than in Japan. With respect to Internet usage by annual household income, the higher the annual household income, the higher Internet usage in both Japan and the United States. Furthermore, with respect to Internet usage by size of municipality, Internet usage is highest in government-designated cities and Tokyo 23 wards, and becomes lower as the size of the municipality becomes smaller from cities to town and villages. This trend is also seen in the

Exhibit 1-28 How Internet Usage Is Perceived by Housewives and the Elderly

Notes:

1. Strong Potential Internet User Group: People who feel a need to use the Internet and would like to actually use the Internet

2. Potential Internet User Group: People who either feel a need to use the Internet or would like to actually use the Internet.

3. Non-Potential Internet User Group: People who do not feel a need to use the Internet and would not like to actually use the Internet.

Source: Survey and Analyses on IT and National Life
United States, even though differentials between the different sizes of municipalities are smaller in the United States than in Japan. In terms of Internet usage by gender, males tend to use the Internet more often than females. In the United States, however, there is no such gap between males and females in Internet usage.

With respect to the main reasons for not using the Internet, more than 30% of people who have never used the Internet responded that they have no need to use it, and that they can not use a PC, suggesting that there is a lack of both initial motive for using the Internet and the ability to use a computer. As a motive to use the Internet, more than 30% of these non-users would be interested in services that offer news and other information and in e-mail services, while over 20% listed on-line banking services and on-line shopping.

In order to alleviate obstacles faced by the elderly and challenged in using the Internet, it is possible to develop and put to practical use a specially designed PC and other hardware devices, or specially designed software. Nonetheless, the most common method at the present time is to use a regular PC that is supplemented by the use of software designed for the challenged. In addition, in response to the difficulties experienced by the challenged such as their inability to connect to the Internet and their difficulty in using a keyboard and mouse, measures have been undertaken across Japan such as seminars for the challenged and a home visit program to help them with using the Internet.

There is a tendency for housewives and the elderly to use the Internet less frequently than students and office workers. Going forward, in order to eliminate differentials in Internet usage in Japan, an important part of the agenda will be to promote Internet usage among housewives and the elderly who have never used it before. With respect to how the Internet is perceived by them, more than 50% of housewives and less than 40% of the elderly, who have never used the Internet before feel a need to use the Internet and would like to actually use it, suggesting a strong potential for increased usage of Internet among these people [Exhibit 1-28]. In addition, among these potential Internet users, the most necessary condition for housewives to start using the Internet is lower Internet usage charges [27.2%], less than ¥2,000 per month to be more specific, while the elderly would like someone living close by who could teach them how to use the Internet (18.5%), to be more specific they would like to attend a free seminar. These results show that economic conditions are more important to housewives, while the elderly are more focused on the availability of instructors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, both groups desire, in addition to further reductions in the cost of PCs and Internet usage charges, free seminars and voice input, which suggests further the high demand for measures such as IT seminars.
## Current Status of Network Content

The total volume of content on Japan’s Internet domain, the ".jp" domain, has grown sharply; in the three years starting August 1998, it grew by a factor of 6.7 (Exhibit 1-29). A look at the files by file type (HTML, still-image, video, sound, etc.) shows that the vast majority of these files are HTML and still-image files, with video and sound files making up just 0.1–0.2% of the total number. This proportion did not change greatly during the three years ending in August 2001. In terms of volume per 10,000 files, however, the proportion has changed dramatically: During the three years ending in August 2001, the volume of video data grew by a factor of 2.1 and the volume of voice data by about 200%. The volume of HTML data is now 7.2 GB per 10,000 files and that of still-image data is 4.8 GB per 10,000 files, while the volume of video data is 4,472.9 GB per 10,000 files and that of sound data is 556.1 GB per 10,000 files. While the increase in the unit volume of video and sound files indicates growth in high-grade content, the fact that their share of the total number of files has remained constant suggests that these file types are underutilized. It would be desirable for the spread of broadband technology to spur an increase in use of this high-grade content, in turn leading to even more use of the Internet.

The media software content distribution market is worth a total of about ¥10.9 trillion, of which text software media has the largest share at 48.9%, followed by image software media at 41.9%. This market can be divided into the primary-use and secondary-use markets, and by media type. While terrestrial TV programming has the largest share of the primary-use market at 28.9%, its share of the secondary-use market is just 6.5%. As the spread of broadband generates more demand for image software content, an expansion of the market for distribution of image content, particularly terrestrial TV programming, would be desirable.

Exhibit 1-29 Trends in Internet Content Volume (with August 1998 assigned a value of 100)

Source: Research on a Statistical Technique for Internet Content, Institute for Posts and Telecommunications Policy, MPHPT.