# 2. Enhancing and enriching research and development that will drive the next generation

## (1) Establishing base network technologies for the big data age

MIC has started research and development into network virtualization technology, with sufficient functional and performance levels to meet the demands of telecom carrier networks, as a move toward realizing fast, efficient network controls that can handle future service diversification and widespread cloud development.

## (2) Ongoing construction and operation of the Japan Gigabit Network eXtreme (JGN-X), a new-generation communication network testbed

NICT has been conducting numerous research and development projects using JGN-X with the aim of establishing base system technologies for new-generation networks through testing and evaluations. NICT will encourage the use of JGN-X as a technology proving environment for new-generation network and other technologies.

## (3) Boosting competitive funding

Competitive funding refers to research and development funds allocated to researchers under a competitive system that solicits a wide range of research and development proposals. Proposals that should be implemented are selected based on assessments by experts and other evaluators.

The Strategic Information and Communications R&D Promotion Programme (SCOPE) is a competitive funding program for research and development projects in the ICT field that MIC implements. Under SCOPE, research and development themes with originality and novelty are undertaken in order to attain the strategic, priority research and development targets set out by MIC.

### (4) ICT policies for generating and sustaining innovation a. ICT Innovation Creation Challenge Program

The ICT Innovation Creation Challenge Program was launched in FY 2014 to stimulate made-in-Japan innovation in the ICT field. The Program is a research and development program, which accepts submissions anytime, that supports new business domain ventures by unifying research and development support and venture incubation support, making use of the private sector’s commercialization expertise and know-how.

### 3. Contributing to green innovation and life innovation

## (1) ICT research and development and standardization for smart grids

In tandem with the full-scale rollout of smart grids, verifications are in progress of communication network technologies that ensure the safe and reliable communication of smart grid information even when the networks are under heavy loads. ICT research and development is underway that will optimize the control of energy usage in individual buildings with great accuracy and reliability.

## (2) Research and development into photonic network technology

NICT is researching and developing the base technologies to make possible fast, high-capacity, low-power networks (all-optical networks) with all signal transmissions and conversions done optically.

## (3) Research and development creating innovation using brain mechanisms

MIC and NICT are researching and developing technology that, using brain mechanisms, will communicate, via networks, people's thoughts about the simple movements and emotions needed to perform actions and communicate intentions in daily life to devices that assist mobility and communications. At the same time, MIC and NICT are running social studies of ethics and safety of this technology.

### 4. Research and development programs promoting international collaborations in the ICT field

## (1) Strategic international joint research in cooperation with foreign governments

MIC, in partnership with the European Commission, supports R&D funding for joint research proposals from universities, private corporations, and other research institutions in Japan and Europe. Since FY 2013, MIC has been sponsoring international joint research in three areas: optical communications, wireless communications, and information security.

## (2) Promoting international research with JGN-X

JGN-X is connected with overseas research institutions in the United States, Asia, and elsewhere to promote global collaborations. JGN-X is also used to promote collaborations in strategic joint international research and demonstration projects.

## (3) Promoting international exchanges between researchers

NICT runs the International Exchange Program, which advances exchanges between researchers in different countries working in advanced communications