## (5) Protection of personal information in the telecommunications field

In order to improve the benefit of telecommunications services and protect the rights and interests of users, the MIC formulated the Guidelines for Protecting Personal Information in the Telecommunications Sector and Their Interpretation in August 2004, and enforces them. In August 2009, based on the initial recommendations of the Study Group Concerning the Various Problems with the ICT Service Based on User's Viewpoints, the Guidelines and Interpretation were revised in December 2009.

In August 2004, the MIC also formulated the Guidelines concerning the Protection of Personal Information of Broadcast Receivers (2004, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Bulletin No. 696), enacted April 2005. These Guidelines were revised in July 2007 with consideration for developments since enactment, and revised again in September 2009 based on the partial revision of the Basic Policy on the Protection of Personal Information (April 2004, Cabinet Decision).

### 2. Promotion of information security policy

## (1) Information security measures of the government

Japan’s efforts for information security issues have been enhanced, with the setting up of the National Information Security Center (NISC) in the Cabinet Office in April 2005 and the establishment of the Information Security Council in the IT Strategy Headquarters in May 2005. In February 2009, the NISC developed the Second National Strategy on Information Security covering the three years from 2009 to 2011 in a Security Policy Meeting. Also, based on this plan, the Secure Japan 2009 promotion program was finalized in June 2009.

In May 2010, the same Security Policy Meeting decided on the Information Security Strategy for the Protection of Citizens, aimed at responding effectively to environmental changes due to the increasing diversification, sophistication and complexity of information security. This is a comprehensive strategy for the four years from 2010 through 2013, incorporating the Second-Term Information Security Basic Plan. The NISC plans to release the Secure Japan 2010 annual plan which will be based on this strategy.

## (2) Realization of an environment for safe and secure use of the Internet

Based on the Second Information Security Basic Plan, etc., the MIC has been making efforts toward responding to diversified products and the improvement of human and organizational capacities that would lead to the enhancement and increased reliability of networks which, from the standpoint of a competent ministry in the ICT field, is one of the most important infrastructures, in order to develop an environment responsive to the increasing diversification of network-connected objects, and where people can use information and communications networks safely.

## (3) Ensuring safety and reliability in the telecommunications services

In order to ensure the safety and reliability in the telecommunications services, the MIC has taken steps such as legal ordainment of the technical standards for equipment, imposition of requirements for selection of chief telecommunications engineers and reporting of maintenance provisions, and promotion of utilization of the guidelines “Standards for Security and Reliability of Information and Communication Networks” (1989, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Proclamation No. 73). In addition, in response to the recommendations of the Security Policy Meeting (office: Chief Cabinet Office, Information Security Center), the MIC supported the formulation of the Safety Criteria for Ensuring Information Security in the Telecommunications Sector and promotes their adoption by telecommunications operators.

While the conversion of networks to IP format progresses, transmission interference incidents are increasing in number, scale and duration. In response, the MIC held the IP Network Management Human Resources Study Group in April 2008, and compiled and released a final report in February 2009.

At disaster sites, the current public announcement system used by police, fire department, emergency rescue, etc., is an audio broadcast system, but in order to share accurate information such as on the status of affected areas, there is a need for a more flexible and dependable means of transmitting visual images.

To meet this need, in April 2009 the MIC advised the Information and Communications Council, on the basis of the Council’s June 2007 findings, regarding the technological prerequisites for a mobile public disaster broadcast system, recommending the introduction of an independently operated broadband transmission-capable transmission system in order to realize a safe and secure society. Deliberations in the Council began in May 2009, and findings were released in March 2010. Based on these findings, in April 2010, proposals for revisions of relevant laws aimed at developing an environment conducive to a public broadband disaster broadcast system was presented to the Radio Regulatory Council.