### 6. Promotion of telework

“Telework” refers to a flexible work method that makes use of ICT and is not tied in to a work place or time, and is seen as a major contributor to realizing work-life balance, as a step to bring about greater business efficiency and productivity, and as a means of addressing issues such as work-life balance and fewer children and an aging population, revitalizing local communities, and reducing our impact on the environment.

The national government has set an Action Plan for Doubling the Teleworking Population (decided by a committee of government agencies related to telework promotion and approved by the IT Strategic Headquarters in May 2007), which sets a governmental target of doubling the number of teleworkers to 20% of the working population by 2010. The MIC is promoting the spread of telework by working as one unit with other related government agencies.

In addition to implementing Telework Adoption Diagnosis Program demonstration tests and advanced telework system model demonstration tests in fields such as specialized health guidance, manufacturing and environmental contribution, the MIC has made efforts to develop and verify new telework systems employing NGN (next generation networks) which contribute to expansion of the scope of telework application. Also, the MIC continues to implement fixed property tax reduction measures to encourage enterprises to develop telework environments and introduce telework-related equipment.

### 7. Promotion of ICT use for medical care

In the medical sector in Japan, malpractice caused by the increased burden on medical professionals is frequently reported. The burden of national health costs is expected to increase rapidly along with the advancement of an aging population, and preventive measures for lifestyle-related diseases are increasingly necessary.

With the aim of contributing to solutions to these issues, since FY 2009 the MIC has been conducting demonstration tests through the advanced use of ubiquitous network technologies, such as electronic tags for improving the safety of medical practices, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. The MIC has also been conducting three-year demonstration projects from 2008 to 2010 to build a foundation for health information utilization that would contribute to the provision of seamless medical care and to daily health promotion measures through the effective use of personal health data, in cooperation with Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Recognizing the shortage of doctors in rural areas, the MIC and the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare have jointly set up the Panel on Telemedicine Promotion Measures (jointly hosted by the prime minister and the minister of health, labor and welfare) since March 2008, with the aim of studying the possible use of telemedicine technologies to enhance medical care in rural areas as well as measures to promote such use. Based on the Panel’s interim report released in July 2008, the MIC implemented a telemedicine model project in FY 2008 and FY 2009, collecting evidence (scientifically backed data) on the safety and effectiveness of telemedicine. On the basis of discussions held in the Working Group on Telemedicine Promotion Measures, part of the ICT Policy Task Force for a Global Era division for investigating global issues, the MIC is pursuing further study on the nationwide diffusion and expansion of telemedicine, including use of the FY 2010 budget allocated for broad-based regional partnerships utilizing ICT to gather and accumulate further evidence and revise the outlook on telemedicine as a supplement to face-to-face treatment, expand the scope of application, and apply medical remuneration to telemedicine, etc.