### A. Appearance of "matome" (summary) sites that sort through the abundance of information on the Net

In the aftermath of the earthquake, all sorts of information was available via social media and elsewhere on the Internet. However, this vast volume of data was in varying degrees of organization. In response, a large number of “matome” (summary) sites were launched to sort through the information by purpose or by region, etc.

### B. Information from a range of media integrated and information on wellbeing of missing persons drawn from diverse sources

Due to severe and extensive damage, it was often difficult to ascertain the safety and whereabouts of missing persons. A wide variety of methods were used to address this situation, including an online service through which users could browse written notices about the wellbeing of missing persons, integrated NHK / Google search engine for information on wellbeing of missing persons, and other media both analog and digital, incorporating mass media and social media, aimed at making such information widely available.

### C. Internet used to make disaster information and relief / recovery information available to the information-challenged

Disaster information was broadcast in sign language via video call and video-sharing sites and other online media. A disaster relief community for the information-challenged was also launched on SNS.

### D. Cloud services provided free of charge for a limited time

Private enterprises provided cloud services free of charge for a limited period of time so as to aid local governments and companies damaged in the quake. Also, private enterprises constructed mirror sites $ ^{6} $ to avert congestion on websites with heavy traffic.

### 3. Emerging challenges

In the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami, a wide variety of initiatives utilizing ICT were implemented. However, while the disaster struck amid an environment in which ICT infrastructure, particularly mobile phones and the Internet, have already become indispensable to people's lifestyles, a wide variety of challenges have come to light.

## (1) The need for a highly disaster-resistant ICT infrastructure

The vital telecommunications infrastructure suffered from congestion and disruption over a wide area in the wake of the disaster. Of the wide variety of initiatives utilizing ICT, the majority are cannot realize their potential without ICT infrastructure (or electricity).

Henceforth, steps must be taken to construct a highly disaster-resistant ICT infrastructure, including networks that can withstand major earthquakes. With this in mind, MIC established the Committee on Ensuring Viability of Communications During Major Earthquakes and Other States of Emergency to deliberate on future measures.

## (2) Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion of data

After the March 11 quake, paper-based analog information on the wellbeing of survivors, status of stricken areas and everyday living information was converted to digital form and shared via the Internet and other electronic means. However, the question arose of whether digital data was converted to analog form for the benefit of those unable to use the Internet. In the future, steps must be taken to boost the technological literacy of the information-challenged and develop devices and services that can easily be used by the elderly and other challenged individuals.

## (3) Countermeasures against chain e-mails and fraudulent e-mails related to the disaster

Information flooded the Internet after the earthquake struck, but no small amount of this was data with no clear basis in fact. In the future, ongoing measures must be taken to combat chain e-mails and other sources of false rumors, as well as to raise levels of media literacy.

## (4) Informing as many people as possible of information dissemination initiatives

Information is now being made available from an ever wider variety of sources, but it is questionable whether these information sources are widely known and used to the greatest possible extent. In particular, not all relevant information is offered in one package, and it is not always easy for disaster survivors and other related people to obtain the necessary information. Future measures must be considered, possibly including construction of a framework for integration of information from multiple sources, and reexamination of standard operating procedures so as to facilitate smooth and effective utilization even under extraordinary conditions.