becoming fully operational in August of 2003 and the start of a public personal certification system that operates online, as well as electronic payment services for payment of taxes and various administrative fees in January 2004. In addition, during fiscal 2003, all local government bodies began participating in the Local Government Wide Area Network (LGWAN).

Using this environment, the online filing of most applications and notifications handled by central government agencies became possible by the end of fiscal 2003 including the start of electronic filing of tax returns to the Nagoya Regional Taxation Bureau (covering Gifu, Shizuoka, Aichi, and Mie Prefectures).

In addition, the MPHPT revised the “Policy Concerning the Promotion of Computerization Measures by Local Governmental Bodies in Response to the IT Revolution” (adopted August 2000) and the “e-Government and e-Local Government Promotion Program” (adopted October 2001) and announced the “e-Local Government Promotion Guideline” in August 2003 as a reference for independent and positive actions supporting the realization of e-local government, taking into careful consideration conditions in local governmental bodies as well as differences in their scale and abilities.

### 2. Technology Development and Standardization for Enhancing International Competitiveness

For users to access diverse services on safe and secure networks, activities are expected to promote research and development and testing that will contribute to the construction of ubiquitous networks such as the development of terminals that even general users not familiar with PC operation can use easily by making use of Japan's experience in home appliance operability and reliability, areas in which Japan excels.

In order to distribute broadly the results of R&D, enhance international competitiveness, and improve people's lifestyles, it is essential that measures be taken to promote the integration of R&D and standardization and the distribution around the world of technologies developed in Japan including standardization activities that protect intellectual property rights from the earliest stages of R&D.

Figure 1-1-12 Benefits to Viewers of Terrestrial Digital Television Broadcasting

① Viewers can enjoy clear pictures in detailed, high-definition and CD-quality sound that provides an on-the-scene experience.
② Users can acquire a wide range of information not previously available and access diverse and highly convenient services such as interactive functions linked to the Internet.
③ Users can view broadcasts on mobile phones and PDAs and use services stably even while in transit.
④ Digitalization will substantially increase the volume of information that can be broadcast, making enhanced credit and explanatory services possible as well as viewer-friendly services such as the function to adjust the pace of speech when it is too fast for easy comprehension.
⑤ Users will be able to select programs using services with electronic programming guides (EPG) and watch programs whenever they want using server-type broadcast services.

Produced based on the Fourth Action Plan for Promotion of Digital Broadcasting, National Conference for Promotion of Terrestrial Digital Broadcasting

Figure 1-1-13 International Comparison of Terrestrial Digital Television Broadcasting

Europe (DVB-T Format)	Japan (ISDB-T Format)	United States (ATSC Format)
Can be received while in transit	△ Under development.	◎ Suitable. Services to begin in 2005.	× Not suitable.
High-Definition Broadcasts	× Not provided.	◎ The policy is for at least 50% of programming to be broadcast in high-definition (NHK's policy is 80%).	◎ There is little high-definition programming available.
Interactive Functions	○ Interactive functions are available in some countries.	◎ Interactive functions with dial-up and broadband are standard features.	△ Under consideration.