the National Information Security Center in the Cabinet Secretariat (NISC) in April 2005, as a central organization for information security measures, and the Information Security Council (chairman: Cabinet Secretary) in the Strategic Headquarters for Promotion of an Advanced Information Telecommunications Network Society in May 2005. The Council formulated the First Information Security Basic Plan in February 2006.

## (2) Realization of an environment for safe and secure use of the Internet

Establishing a safe and secure usage environment with improved information security is essential to promote an advanced information and communication network society in the future. Based on the progress of efforts in information security measures of the entire government and the second report “Proposals of Information Security Policy 2005” (July 2004) of the Study Group on Next Generation IP Infrastructure (February 2004 – June 2005), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been making efforts to strengthen information security measures from three aspects: 1 Preventing failures from spreading out through networks, 2. Corresponding to diversification of products connected to networks, and 3. Overcoming vulnerability of human resources.

## (3) Ensuring safety and reliability in the telecommunications services

As an index for safety and reliability measures for information and communications systems, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications created “Safety and Reliability Criteria for Information and Communications Network”. The Ministry is promoting the use of the criteria among telecommunications service providers; however, an increase in the number of accidents such as communication failure in services as well as unconventional network accidents are being confirmed, due to the advancement of IP technology and expansion of usage of ICT services. In consideration of such situation, safety and reliability measures for network IP technology have been discussed at the Information and Communications Council since August 2006.

## (4) Promotion of safety assessment and advancement of cryptographic technology

The CRYPTOREC (Cryptography Research and Evaluation Committee), or the project to assess cryptography by study groups, which is co-hosted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, continued to conduct the study, research, and compilation of standards to audit e-government recommended ciphers and ensure the safety and reliability of the e-government recommended ciphers in fiscal 2006.

### 3. Ensuring reliability of electronic data

In order to further promote socio-economic activities using the network such as e-commerce by ensuring a smooth user environment for electronic signatures, the Law concerning Electronic Signature and Certification Services has been enforced since April 2001. The Law provides for the government’s introduction of arbitrary certification systems which satisfy certain standards, and as of the end of fiscal 2006, 18 specific certification services had been accredited.

## Section 4 Development of affluent and vital ubiquitous network society

### 1. Elimination of geographic digital divide and promotion of information system to local communities

The government has been actively promoting optic fibers, etc., in the effort toward elimination of zero-broadband regions by 2010 in the IT New Reform Strategy.

Based on this government policy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications formulated the “Next Generation Broadband Concept 2010” which specified the development goals including elimination of zero-broadband regions by 2010, the basic plan for broadband development such as creation of a roadmap, assignment of roles between the public and private sectors, and a promotional system followed by concerned parties. Using the prefecture roadmap and development manual, etc., the Ministry will make a further effort to support and work with private sectors and local public entities established under the Law for Telecommunication Infrastructure Improvement, in order to eliminate zero-broadband regions.

Also, the Ministry is supporting “services to reduce