tion tests for visualizing the advantages of open data since FY2012.

## (b) Building an environment for advanced use of statistical data through API functions

The MIC Statistics Bureau was to test launch in June an advanced data use environment where API functions are employed to easily acquire various massive statistical data from programs regarding the data under its jurisdiction.

The environment will allow users (1) to have statistical data automatically reflected in their information systems and (2) to conduct advanced statistical data analyses linked to their own and Internet-provided data. The API functions will be added to the e-Stat government statistics portal site within FY2014, allowing the statistical data of all government agencies to be provided. This measure is expected to further contribute to invigorating business operations, promoting new business development and improving administrative services.

### 3. Electronic administration promotion and recognition by people and local governments (questionnaire survey)

## (1) Utilization and awareness of electronic administrative services

Questionnaire survey results in Japan, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, South Korea and Singapore are compared here regarding the use of electronic central and local government services and e-commerce online purchases of and trade in goods and services. E-commerce users' share in Japan is 78.3%, the highest among the six countries. But e-government and e-local government service users' share in Japan is 16.2%, the lowest among the six countries. The share is less than half the U.S. level that is fifth among the six (Figure 2-1-3-1).

## (2) Local governments' awareness and initiatives

### a. Analysis of local governments' initiatives as found in questionnaire survey results

The United Nations’ e-government surveys use four online service development stages for e-government services (Table 2-1-3-2). While referring to this approach, we would like to analyze a questionnaire survey of local governments.

We classified local governments by stage based on the questionnaire survey results. Those in Stage 1 or 2 accounted for 75.8% of Japan's local governments responding in the survey. Those in Stage 2 (enhanced information service) alone accounted for 76.2%. Thus, three quarters of Japan's local governments have reached Stage 2. The share stood at 32.4% for Stage 3 (transactional service) and 16.0% for Stage 4 (connected service).

A comparison of Stage 3 and 4 local governments indicated that about a half (8.3%) of local governments in Stage 4 (16%) said they were not in Stage 3. This means that some of the local governments engaging in interactive ICT communications through websites have yet to implement online procedures (Figure 2-1-3-3).

### b. Local governments' awareness of the number system as indicated by questionnaire survey results

Local governments’ progressing use of the number system may be the key to advancing and diffusing their services for residents. Therefore, they were questioned about their expectations and challenges regarding the system in the questionnaire survey.

Figure 2-1-3-1 Internet use trends (comparing purchases of and trade in goods and services with the use of e-government and e-local government services)

$ ^{*} $ The figures indicate percentage shares for respondents using these services among 1,000 people covered by the Internet survey in each country.

* Purchases of and trade in goods and services represent the uses of Amazon and other Internet shopping sites (excluding financial transactions). Uses of e-government and e-local government services mean electronic applications, declarations and reports.

(Source) MIC "Survey Research on New Challenges for Advancement of ICT Infrastructure and Services" (2013)