smartphone apps correctly handle user information. Such verifications would give app users a greater sense of reassurance and boost the reliability and usage of proper apps. The Working Group compiled its findings in the Smartphone Privacy Initiative II (SPI II) and announced the Reinforcement Strategy on Smartphone Safety and Security in September 2013.

Based on SPI II, MIC set up the Task Force to Promote the Usage and Verification of Smartphone App Privacy Policies in December 2013. The Task Force examines various issues with disseminating app privacy policies and promoting third-party app verifications as well as encourages the widespread adoption of privacy policies, the provision of verification services by the private sector, and the use of the services by users.

## (2) Study Group on the Safety and Security of ICT Services

MIC launched the Study Group on the Safety and Security of ICT Services in February 2014 to study measures on issues that are expected to require mid-to-long term systematic measures, with a focus on issues being confronted in the enhancement of consumer protection rules. The Study Group looks at (1) revisions and enhancements to consumer protection rules, (2) approaches to protecting and educating young people who will use ICT to create the 2020s, and (3) addressing issues affecting the development of ICT services (approaches to service fees and other service provision conditions).

### 2. Promoting ICT applications in the fire, safety, and disaster preparedness field

## (1) Establishing resilient fire, safety, and disaster preparedness communication networks

Currently, five major communication networks that will make up the fire, safety, and disaster preparedness communication networks connecting the national government, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, local governments, and residents have been constructed. The five networks are: (1) a central disaster administration wireless communications for collecting and transmitting information within government; (2) a fire prevention and disaster wireless communications that connects the Fire and Disaster Management Agency and prefectural governments; (3) prefectural disaster administration wireless communications that connect prefectures with municipalities; (4) municipal disaster administrations wireless communications that connect municipalities with residents; and (5) a satellite communication network that connects the national government with municipalities and municipalities with each other.

## (2) Deploying mobile communication equipment for disaster responses

MIC has lent out mobile communication equipment for disaster responses (300 satellite phones, 280 MCA radios, and 1,500 convenience radios have been deployed to Regional Bureaus of Telecommunications nationwide) in response to requests from local governments and other agencies to ensure they have communications in disaster-affected zones even when mobile phones and other forms of communication are lost.

## (3) Establishing national early-warning system (J-ALERT)

MIC's Fire and Disaster Management Agency is establishing J-ALERT, a national early-warning system that instantly communicates emergency information to residents. Using J-ALERT satellites, the national government (from the Cabinet Secretariat or Meteorological Agency via the Fire and Disaster Management Agency) communicates tsunami warnings, earthquake early warnings, ballistic missile launch notices, and other information that requires immediate action. J-ALERT also automatically launches municipal (broadcast) disaster administration wireless communications systems.

## Section 4 Improving the Quality of Citizen's Lives and the Natural Environment through ICT Use and Application

### 1. Promoting ICT applications in education, medicine, and other fields

## (1) Promoting ICT use and application in the education field

MIC ran the Future School Promotion Project from FY 2010 to FY 2013 to promote ICT use and application in the education field and identify and analyze issues centered on information and communications technology.

The Project identified and analyzed issues in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Learning Innovation Project. At the conclusion of the Project, MIC put together and announced, in April 2014, the 2014 Guidelines (Guidebook) on Information and Communications Technology to Promote Use and Application of ICT in the Field of Education.

## (2) Promoting ICT use and application in the health and medical fields

### a. Significance of medical information coordination networks

Medical information coordination networks make it possible to safely and smoothly record, store, and view medical information using cloud technology. Medical information coordination networks will reduce the workloads of patients and medical institutions as well as contribute to the stable provision of regional medical care,