participants had achieved revitalization of ties. These findings indicate that participation in online communities plays a considerable role in supplementing social relationships.

### B. Analysis of the status of Internet utilization

A survey of people’s perceptions of the necessity or lack thereof of the Internet found that more than 60% of single parents and people in single-person households considered it “an indispensable part of their lives,” as well as more than half of low-income people, a percentage close to the overall average. Meanwhile, although the percentage of elderly people who considered the Internet “indispensable” was low overall, it still exceeded one third.

In terms of monthly computer-related fees, the low-income, single-parent, and single-person household segments paid below-average fees at ¥4,000/month or less. However, a relatively large percentage of single parents in particular used plans priced higher than the average, at ¥6,000/month or more, indicating a polarization among this segment. A large number of elderly people, as well, paid relatively high fees of ¥5,000 to ¥7,000 a month.

### C. Means of acquiring Internet utilization skills

With regard to means of acquiring Internet utilization skills, “websites, etc.” was the most common response among the low-income and single-parent segments, while the single-person household segment most often cited “friends and acquaintances.” Among the elderly, as well, a large number cited “family” or “friends and acquaintances,” but a great many also said they had “no opportunity to acquire skills.” Among elderly Internet non-users in particular, a large number said they had “no interest in learning,” but there were many claiming they had “no interest in learning” as well.

### D. Challenges of everyday life resolved by the Internet

As to challenges of everyday life resolved by the Internet, for all segments “health” was the most often cited issue. Health is the issue most often cited as a cause of concern, and it is evident that the Internet is playing an important role in assuaging such concerns. Among the elderly, in particular, 48.8% had resolved health issues using the Internet.

### E. Challenges related to Internet utilization

The Internet itself poses challenges to people, the most commonly cited of which is “high Internet connection fees,” while for the low-income, single-parent, and single-person household segments, this was followed in second place by “high cost of Internet-capable devices” (computers, etc.), indicating that economic factors present key obstacles for these segments (Figure 2-2-2-4).

For the elderly, on the other hand, the most often cited issue was “difficulty in keeping up with new technologies, products and services,” and there was a comparatively high rate of similar technology-related responses such as “inability to use Internet-capable devices” and “inability to adapt to the general shift of services to the Internet.” In particular, elderly non-Internet users often claimed “inability to use Internet-capable devices” and “inability to adapt to the general shift of services to the Internet.”

### F. What is need in order to overcome challenges related to Internet utilization

Reflecting the content of issues facing Internet utilization, the program or service most needed for resolution of said issues is “further lowering of Internet connection fees.” Among the low-income, single-parent and single-person household segments, this was followed by “a subsidy program for purchase of computers or other Internet-capable devices” in second place, indicating that economic support measures are the most sought-after overall.

Among the elderly, however, the most common response was “development of user-friendly devices.” This response was also relatively common among the single-parent segment. Among elderly non-Internet users, in addition to “development of user-friendly devices,” “establishment of local help desks” was relatively often cited.

### G. Elimination of the digital divide between individuals and between organizations

To sum up the current analysis, there are issues common to all segments surveyed, as well as issues particular to certain segments. Specifically, among the low-income, single-parent, and single-person household segments, there is strong concern over economic issues such as “high Internet connection fees,” and calls for economic measures to address them.

Meanwhile, among the elderly, there is concern over technological literacy-related issues and calls for “development of user-friendly devices,” etc., not seen in other segments. A large proportion of elderly non-Internet users claim to have no interest in learning the necessary skills, but many of them also cited a lack of opportunities to learn such skills. Currently, over 70% of Japanese use the Internet, and there is a threat of growing disparity between those who can access it and those who cannot. This is borne out by the high proportion of elderly non-Internet users who cited “inability to adapt to the general shift of services to the Internet” as an issue of concern.

Moving forward, there is a need for initiatives that make ICT more approachable and easier to use in order to realize a user-friendly, user-centered ICT environment.

For many in the low-income, single-parent, and single-person household segments, cost is a key issue, and