better quality of medical care, and fairness in medical expenses.

### b. Examples of initiatives in the Medical Information Coordination Platform Advancement and Usage Project

Looking to realize safe and secure medical ICT services in anticipation of a super-aging society, MIC, under the FY 2013 Medical Information Coordination Platform Advancement and Usage Project, constructed an information coordination platform to share information between different systems in the home healthcare and nursing field and verified the platform to resolve issues surrounding information sharing.

c. Examples of initiatives in the Tohoku Regional Medical Information Coordination Platform Construction Project (Tohoku Medical Megabank Project)

The importance of medical information coordination networks gained prominence in the wake of the Great East Japan Earthquake. In view of this, MIC has taken steps since FY 2011 to provide financial assistance for the construction medical information coordination networks in medical zones in the areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.

### 2. Regional development using information and communications infrastructure

## (1) Establishing support systems through the deployment of ICT experts directed at regional stimulation

MIC has been conducting initiatives to build up local economies and communities by making use of ICT since FY 2007. Activities include sending Regional ICT Advisors—experts with knowledge and insight into regional ICT development—to regions motivated to tackle regional stimulation through ICT, providing assistance to build success models, and propagating the results of these efforts nationwide.

### 3. Establishing barrier-free information environments

MIC is moving forward with several initiatives that aim to establish barrier-free information environments so that everyone, including older people and people with physical and mental challenges, can make use of ICT and enjoy its benefits. Some of the initiatives include promoting ICT use and application by people with challenges, encouraging more broadcasts for visually and aurally challenged people, and advocating for universal usage environments.

### 4. ICT contributions to resolving global environmental problems

In the areas of Green of ICT and Green by ICT, MIC is surveying and analyzing the latest technological developments worldwide, establishing best-practice models for $ CO_{2} $ emissions reductions and methods of evaluating the effects of emissions reductions, and pushing for international standardization on ICT and climate change.

The ITU-T's Focus Group on Smart Sustainable Cities (FG-SSC) was established in May 2013. Proposals submitted by Japan were expected to be incorporated in the deliverables of working groups belonging to the FG-SSC. Japan will continue to press for international standardization based on outcomes from leading domestic initiatives as well as strive to extend these international standards at home.

### 5. Developing ICT personnel

## (1) Developing highly skilled ICT personnel

MIC ran the Advanced ICT Human Resources Training Program Development Project for three years from FY 2011. The Project promoted the training and development of personnel with the skills and knowledge to use and apply ICT at advanced levels and to plan and implement corporate and organization ICT strategies.

## (2) Raising ICT literacy

As young people on a global scale increasingly make use of the Internet, MIC developed the Internet Literacy Assessment Indicator for Students (ILAS), based on opinions and recommendations from experts, to ascertain accurately the Internet literacy levels young people require, while making adjustments for international developments and trends. MIC used the test on first-year high school students across Japan in FY 2013 and announced the results in September 2013.

MIC is taking actions for the safe and secure use of the Internet by children. The Ministry runs e-Net Caravans, which are rotating lectures given across the country to guardians, teachers, and juvenile students. Additionally, it develops and disseminates teaching materials and other resources tailored to the characteristics of different media formats to encourage the sound use of media by children.