local social economy through creation of an ubiquitous network infrastructure, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been hosting the following two conferences: “Study Group on Local Revitalization and Ubiquitous Network Society” (since November 2006) for deliberations on concrete issues to be addressed and measures to be taken, and “Study Group on Local Areas during the Web2.0 era” (since November 2006) with the intent to exemplify the ideal local government and region during the Web 2.0 era as well as providing the steps in order to achieve it, utilizing innovative changes such as distributed, open and low cost networks realized by information technology.

### 6. Promotion of Content Policy

The government is promoting comprehensive and effective measures for creation, protection and application of contents through a joint effort by the nation, local public entities and concerned parties since the establishment of Law on the promotion of creation, protection and application of contents. “Intellectual Property Rights Promotion Plan 2006” (formulated by the Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters, June 2006) aims to create a cultural and creative nation through the effective use of contents, and the “Basic Guideline for Economy and Fiscal Management and Structural Reform 2006” (approved by the cabinet, July 2006) includes expansion of the content market as its fundamental policy, with the goal of “increasing the value of the content market to 5,000 billion yen within the next 10 years”.

To contribute to the promotion of content distribution, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications 1) executes demonstration experiments for IPTV services, 2) has discussions on enhancement of international competitiveness in the content market, 3) promotes community-based creation and distribution of contents, 4) develops a content-trading market, 5) conducts investigative research to prevent distribution of illegal video contents through networks, and 6) creates the next generation video contents and promotes research and development on distribution technology.

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

To realize sustained development and revitalization of our nation, creation of new industries and reform in industrial structure through innovation will be a critical subject. Venture businesses, which hold advanced and unique technology and create new businesses, are expected to play an important role to initiate innovation. Also, fostering the growth of ICT venture businesses is a key to improve Japan’s international competitiveness in the ICT industry and realize sustained economical development.

However, venture businesses, especially start-up businesses, are facing difficulties in raising funds, securing stable manpower and cultivating a market, due to limited performance records, no established technical evaluation and lack of collateral on property and credibility. Hence, it is sometimes hard for them to apply and commercialize their highly advanced technologies.

To promote startup and growth of ICT venture businesses, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications offers funds through subsidies and tax benefits, supports securing and training of human resources and provides information through seminars, events and business plan presentations, in cooperation with the concerned ministries and agencies.

For example, to support securing and training of human resources, the Ministry has been hosting meetings of the "Study Group on securing manpower for ICT venture businesses" since June 2006. The study group formulated the "Guideline for securing for ICT venture businesses", a manual for ICT venture business managers to efficiently secure human resources. Also, as a new plan for fiscal 2007, the Ministry is planning to develop a training program for ICT venture business managers (especially for managers of businesses from startup to expansion phases) to assist creation and review of the business plan and establishment of an operational system to effectively execute the business plan. Furthermore, the Ministry is working with universities that have entrepreneurial education programs and ICT venture businesses, to develop an educational program for college students, fostering their managerial and technical skills. This program is intended to develop ICT venture business managers and executives.

### 8. Development of ICT personnel

## (1) Development of advanced ICT personnel

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been implementing a support scheme for ICT human resources development programs since fiscal 2001 to assist the quasi-public organizations and public-interest corporations which develop human resources with professional knowledge and skills in the information and communications field. Also, the Ministry developed the PBL (Project Based Learning) materials to train project managers (PM) and IT architects (ITA). Furthermore, to train research/development personnel required for innovation in the ICT field, the Ministry has been holding the “Conference for training of research/development personnel in the ICT field” since November 2006, discussing how industry, universities and governments should cooperate with each other.

## (2) Supporting development and utilization of ICT infrastructure at schools

It is essential to develop an environment where our children may experience ICT at an early age so that they can obtain skills to utilize ICT. “Creating and executing a plan for development of ICT environment including school LANs and computers in general classrooms as well as introducing ultra-high speed internet using fiber optics into schools” is included in the IT New Reform