# Outlook for Information and Communications Policies

## Section 1 Comprehensive Strategy Promotions

### 1. Promoting a national strategy

The Japanese government put into force the Basic Act on the Formation of an Advanced Information and Telecommunications Network Society (Law No. 144 of 2000) and set up the Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of an Advanced Information and Telecommunications Network Society (IT Strategic Headquarters) in January 2001; these steps promoted the fast, high-priority implementation of policies on the formation of an advanced information and telecommunications network society.

In June 2013, the Cabinet decided a new IT strategy

### 2. Developing cloud services

## (1) Activities of the Japan Cloud Consortium

The Japan Cloud Consortium, a private organization, was established in December 2010 in order for industry, academia, and government to cooperate effectively and harness their collective capabilities in promoting the

### 3. Boosting productivity with ICT

In addition to being a resource-starved country with a declining birth rate and an aging population, Japan faces the pressing challenge of stimulating economic growth. For these reasons, we need to leverage our world-leading broadband infrastructure and work actively to raise (Declaration to be the World's Most Advanced IT Nation), through the IT Strategic Headquarters, as a revamping of IT policy. This was followed by concrete debate, led by the Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretariat for information technology (Government CIO), on the implementation of a roadmap to clarify each ministry's role and attainment targets. In June 2014, the Declaration to be the World's Most Advanced IT Nation and its Roadmap were finalized.

proliferation of cloud services. This consortium, consisting of more than 400 companies and organizations as of October 2013, and its nine working groups are involved in exploring specific service models, sharing information, identifying new issues, and similar activities.

productivity through the application of ICT. To this end, MIC, in cooperation with related ministries, agencies, municipalities, and other bodies, is implementing initiatives to support the business activities of SMEs, venture companies, and other enterprising firms in the ICT field.

## Section 2 Developments in Information and Communications Policy

### 1. Developments in telecommunications business policy

## (1) Initiatives to further develop and disseminate world-leading ICT infrastructure

### a. Initiatives to further develop and disseminate world-leading ICT infrastructure

In February 2014, MIC made an inquiry to the Information and Communications Council entitled “The Ideal State of Information and Communications Policies toward the 2020s: For the Further Spread and Development of Information and Communications Infrastructure at the World’s Highest Level” and set up the 2020 ICT Basic Policy Special Subcommittee. The goal of these moves was to study approaches for the telecommunications business that are in keeping with the times, with a focus on the directions of ICT developments leading up to the 2020s, and to stimulate the economy and improve the lives of citizens through the further development and dissemination of world-leading ICT infrastructure.

The Council intends to examine: (1) ICT prospects leading up to the 2020s; (2) approaches for the telecommunications business to boost the competitiveness of industries that use ICT infrastructure; and (3) approaches for the telecommunications business to ensure opportunities to use ICT infrastructure and protect the safety and security of ICT infrastructure.

### b. Promoting wireless LAN usage

MIC’s Wireless LAN Business Study Group, launched in March 2012, looked at the current state of wireless LAN and identified and organized issues with the dis-