## Chapter 5

## Outlook for Information and Communications Policies

Section 1___

## Promotion of a Comprehensive Strategy

### 1. Promotion of a national strategy

## (1) Promotion of ICT strategy in Japan

The Japanese government set up the Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of an Advanced Information and Telecommunications Network Society (IT Strategic Headquarters) in January 2001. In May 2010, the New Strategy in Information and Communications Technology was established with the goal of forging a new society where sovereignty resides with the people. The strategy contained three priority areas (pillars): (i) developing a citizen-oriented e-government, (ii) reviving local community bonds, and (iii) creating new markets and driving international expansion. A set of roadmaps for the New Strategy in Information and Communications Technology were finalized in June 2010.

## (2) Regulatory and system reform for ICT technology usage and application

An expert committee was set up in June 2010 to examine regulatory and system reform to promote the usage and application of ICT technology. After reviewing about 400 points given in regulatory and system revision proposals and new IT strategies solicited from the public, the committee narrowed these down to 46 items, which the committee examined and considered through a total of nine hearings, starting in October 2010, with stakeholders and related government ministries. The committee compiled and released its report in March 2011. The IT Strategic Headquarters plans to finalize a corresponding policy based on the committee's report.

## (3) Introduction of a citizen ID system

The e-Government Task Force, under the IT Strategic Headquarters’ Planning Committee, began in September 2010 examinations into a citizen ID system. Similarly, in November 2010, the Study Team on Practices Concerning the Number System Relating to Social Security and Taxes began examinations into a joint number system for social security and taxes. Through these examinations, the Government and Ruling Party Social Security Reform Headquarters finalized the Basic Policy on the Social Security and Tax Numbering System in January 2011, which set a timetable for a January 2015 launch of a single number system for social security and taxes.

### 2. ICT policy approaches to realize a knowledge information society

Among the circumstances surrounding ICT in recent years is the ongoing construction, on a global scale, of a “knowledge information society.” A knowledge information society is one in which dynamic exchanges of knowledge and information take place in all social and economic aspects over high-speed, digital communication and broadcasting networks and in which the distribution, sharing, utilization, and storage of this knowledge and information generates new value.

## (1) Realization of new businesses through ICT use and application

The New Business Creation Strategy Committee, set up under the Information and Communications Council's Information and Communications Policy Section, released in June 2011 New Business Creation Strategy: Rebuilding the Tohoku region and reviving Japan through realization of an information distribution and coordination platform, the committee's first report.

## (2) Approaches to R&D in the ICT field

The R&D Strategy Committee, set up under the Information and Communications Council’s Information and Communications Policy Section, released in July 2011 Report by the R&D Strategy Committee.

## (3) Raising international competitiveness and assisting international expansion

The final report by the ICT Policy Task Force for a Global Era’s Working Group on Strengthening International Competitiveness, compiled in December 2010, brought together recommendations for the basic direction of global expansion policies.

## (4) Standardization policies in the ICT field

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications submitted a new inquiry to the Information and Communications Council in February 2011 regarding a comprehensive standardization policy approach in the ICT field in response to the changing environment around standardization activities. The Information and Communications Council's Information and Communications Policy Section set up the Investigative Commission for