(4) Measures to upgrade emergency information functions, etc. in the telecommunications business

Upon receiving the report of the Study Group for Ensuring Important Telecommunications in the Telecommunications Business, the MPHPT in November 2003 submitted an inquiry to the Telecommunications Council to look into measures for the upgrading of emergency information functions, etc. in the telecommunications business. The MPHPT also set up the Committee for the Advancement of Emergency Message Systems under the Telecommunications Council, which is currently engaged in deliberations.

### 3. Overcoming the Digital Divide

In regions that have disadvantageous conditions, such as depopulated areas, the construction of network infrastructure by private companies is not making headway because of such problems as profitability, and the digital divide caused by geographical factors is becoming striking. As a result, policy responses by the central and local governments are called for. The MPHPT is responding to the regional divide through various projects, including the construction of Subscriber Fiber-Optic Networks, the construction and maintenance of transmission towers for mobile telecommunications, and the construction of facilities to ameliorate poor reception of commercial television and radio broadcasting. The MPHPT is also making efforts to address the digital

## Section 8 ___ Promoting R&D

### 1. Developing R&D Policies in the Information and Communications Field

In order for Japan to achieve sustainable economic development and for the Japanese people to lead safe lives with peace of mind, it is necessary to make active and strategic investment in selective areas of science and technology and to maintain and develop the competitiveness of industry through the promotion of research and development. From this perspective, the Second-Term Science and Technology Basic Plan (approved by the cabinet in March 2001) placed special priority on four fields of science and technology, including the information and communications field, and stipulated that R&D resources should be allocated to these fields in a preferential manner.

In consideration of the government’s overall policy, the MPHPT submitted an inquiry to the divide caused by disabilities and age, for example by supporting IT use by disabled and elderly persons and expanding subtitled broadcasting.

### 4. Improving the Environment for Radio Spectrum Use

In order to ease concern that radio waves emitted from radio equipment have an unfavorable effect on the human body and to establish an environment in which people can use radio waves safely and with peace of mind, the MPHPT is promoting research on the effect of radio waves on the human body and other issues, formulating appropriate standards for preventing the impact of radio waves on equipment, and implementing continuing studies. Also, the MPHPT is conducting the appropriate supervision and management of radio waves and, regarding telecommunications equipment, promoting the swift market entry of wireless equipment and terminal equipment. In order to contribute to economic revitalization and the strengthening of international competitiveness, the MPHPT has introduced the Self-Verification of Conformity to Technical Regulations system, which enables the swift development of products because manufacturers themselves are able to confirm conformity with technical standards beforehand. Furthermore, in order to prevent obstruction by interference and so on, the MPHPT has prepared ex post facto surveillance and orders, including penalties.

Telecommunications Council to study R&D and standardization strategy with the aim of giving shape to the basic strategy on R&D and revising the R&D Basic Plan (Third Edition). In March 2003, as its basic thinking on such topics as linking the results of R&D to industrialization, incorporating the perspectives of users and makers in R&D, and uniformly promoting R&D and standardization so as to widely diffuse the results of R&D, the Telecommunications Council outlined the R&D issues and policies that should be tackled in the R&D Basic Plan (Fourth Edition), the R&D Implementation Strategy, and the Standardization Strategy.

Also, in consideration of the fact that such issues as standardization in R&D and response to intellectual property strategy have come to be viewed as increasingly important in recent years, the MPHPT in April 2004 formulated the MPHPT Guidelines for Evaluating Research and Development on Information and Communications.