improvements of usability and service quality, administrative reform to leverage IT, and establishment and enhancement of e-Government, based on the e-Government Construction Program, the Future Administrative Reform Policy, and the IT Policy Package-2005. Also in the IT New Reform Strategy, realization of “the most convenient and efficient e-Government in the world” is specified as one of the IT structural reform policies.

Based on the IT New Reform Strategy, the Liaison Conference for Chief Information Officers (CIO) of Respective Ministries formulated the “e-Government Promotion Plan” (August 2006) to implement future e-government plans properly and to achieve the expected results following the PDCA cycle (revised on August 2007). The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) plans to conduct the steady promotion of the informatization of administrative services based on the plan.

## (2) Realization of e-Local Governments

e-Local Governments aim to upgrade administrative services and simplify and streamline administration through the use of ICT by local governments. In March 2007, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) issued the “New Guideline for Promoting e-Local Governments” in order to “realize a useful, effective and vital e-local government by fiscal 2010.” and conducts annual follow-ups of the progress of implementation.

Hence, using such infrastructure as Local Government Wide Area Networks, the Resident Registration Network System, and the Public Certification Service for Individuals, the MIC has been promoting effective e-Local Government and taking various measures from financial and human resource viewpoints, etc., to improve local services.

### 5. Promotion of ICT in disaster prevention field

In addition to public networks for subscribed phones and cellular phones and exclusive lines, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is now establishing a robust, congestion-free independent network called the “disaster prevention communications network” across the nation, prefectures and municipalities, to secure communications and collect and submit information promptly and steadily in the event of disaster.

The Ministry is promoting development and enhancement of the disaster prevention communication network while setting up effective measures in the event of network interruption, including activities of the Conference of Emergency Communications.

### 6. Promotion of content policy

Under the basic policy of market expansion in the content field as part of its efforts for strengthening the capacity for growth and international competitiveness of Japan, Japan set forth the numerical target of "increasing the value of the content market to about 5 trillion yen within the next 10 years" in the "Basic Guideline for Economy and Fiscal Management and Structural Reform 2006" (cabinet decision in July 2006). Also, the "2007 Intellectual Property Promotion Plan (Headquarters for Intellectual Property Strategy in May 2007) listed "Making Japan a first-class global digital content super-power" as a main pillar of its efforts, and efforts toward collaboration between public and private sectors have been promoted.

In order to develop an environment for content production and distribution, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) has been (1) discussing rules and other issues concerning the use/distribution of content, (2) making efforts toward the development of a content-trading market, (3) considering the promotion of an appropriate broadcasting content trade, and (4) preventing illegal content on networks. In addition, the MIC has been making active efforts for IPTV and for improving international competitiveness of content.

### 7. Creation and fostering of ICT venture businesses

ICT ventures create new businesses with innovative and indigenous technology and business models are expected to serve as the front-runners of innovation that enables the ICT industry of Japan to achieve further development in an era of increasingly fierce global competition.

The government of Japan advocates strengthening comprehensive support measures for research and development-oriented ventures, etc. as where should this close promotion of corporate activities such as research and development-oriented ventures in its “Third Science and Technology Basic Plan” and development of ventures that would create innovation in its “2007 Basic Policy for Economic and Financial Reform.” The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) also takes measures to promote the creation and growth of ICT ventures in cooperation with related ministries and agencies, covering various aspects from fund supply, securing and development of human resources, and information provision, etc. In specific terms, in order to support the development of human resources in ICT ventures, the MIC has developed the “Manual for Formulation Business Plan and Venture Management” and the