established the “Research Study Group for High-Level Usage of Electronic Tags in the Age of Ubiquitous Networks” in April 2003 to discuss usage of radio frequencies and policies for utilization of networks.

## (2) Prospects for the network robot technology

When the ubiquitous networks connect with the personal robots and industrial robots that are expected to be used at home and offices in the future, new lifestyles will emerge, and it is anticipated that this will contribute not only to solving various social issues, such as the aging and health/nursing care problems, but also to building a new Japan-inspired IT society in the 21st century. In order to clarify the future image of network robots and consider the R&D themes to be undertaken, the MPHPT has held the “Study Group on Network Robot Technology” since December 2002.

## (3) R&D of the gigabit network technology

With the goal of realizing an ultra high-speed network at the beginning of this century, the TAO mapped out a gigabit network for R&D purposes (JGN: Japan Gigabit Network) as a nationwide open test bed consisting of an ultra high-speed optical fiber network, which connects ATM switching systems located at 10 locations around Japan and an R&D facility for shared use. Through such measures the organization promotes R&D of the next-generation Internet technology and other ultra high-speed network technologies, as well as advanced application technologies. The above facilities have been widely opened to universities, research institutes, administrative organs, local governments, and private companies from fiscal 1999 to the end of fiscal 2003 for R&D of ultra high-speed network technologies and advanced application technologies.

## (4) Promoting R&D on the technologies for further accelerating network speed

With the aim of realizing technologies for accelerating the speed of networks at an early stage, the MPHPT has been promoting “R&D on Ultra High-Speed Photonic Network Technologies” since fiscal 2001 and “Development of a Terabit-Class Super Network” since fiscal 2002 under the collaboration of industry, universities, and the government. In the “R&D on Ultra High-Speed Photonic Network Technologies,” development and experiments of elemental technologies were launched in fiscal 2002 based on the results of the designing and trial production conducted in fiscal 2001. The “Development of a Terabit-Class Super Network,” on the other hand, commenced the designing and trial production of technologies for promptly processing network accesses from diverse systems.

## (5) R&D of information and communications technologies utilizing quantum engineering and nano-technology

Quantum information and communications technologies, which conduct data processing/transmission using the particle quality of electrons and light, and technologies that apply nano-technology and bio-technology to information communications by making use of the substance properties specific to the nano-size are a focus of attention as revolutionary technologies that have the potential to make possible networks equipped with such superior features as encryption communications with guaranteed high security and ultra high-speed communications that surpass optical communications. The MPHPT commenced R&D on quantum encryption technologies, which are expected to be put to practical use in the relatively near future, in the TAO in fiscal 2001 with the cooperation of industry and universities. In order to further enhance the R&D for achieving a breakthrough in information and communications, the MPHPT plans to drive R&D also on the aspect of applying nano-technology and bio-technology to information and communications.

## (6) R&D of the time-stamp platform technology

There are increasing needs to identify the precise time at which an online transaction or procedure was made and prove that time to third parties. Moreover, in order to upgrade standard time delivery and time authentication services and to improve their security, it is necessary to promptly promote R&D of technologies for delivery/authentication of the correct time. Thus, the MPHPT has held the “Study Group on R&D related to Standard Time Delivery and Time Authentication Services” since January 2002 and compiled a report in June 2002. In response to this report, the MPHPT has been advancing R&D for establishing the “time-stamp platform technology” since fiscal 2003 in cooperation with industry and universities.

## (7) R&D of network-human interface

It is essential to create an environment in which even people who are unfamiliar with information and communications networks can use the networks safely with a sense of reassurance without finding the operations difficult. Therefore, it will become important to resolve the issue of interface between humans and the information and communications networks. The MPHPT established the “Study Group on Network-Human Interface” in March 2002, which drew up a report in July 2002. In response to the report, the MPHPT launched “R&D on Network-human Interface” in fiscal 2003, and carries out practical R&D on network-based automatic translation.