## 2 -3 Section 2 Response to Emerging Challenges

An analysis of the challenges that still must be dealt with in order to expand ICT use further and achieve an abundant ICT society that reflects user viewpoints, focusing on safety and security, the digital divide, and local areas

(1) Allaying ICT-related anxiety entails boosting not only ability to utilize information, but also understanding of security (P17)

Many ICT users (46.0%) have anxieties about Internet use and safety and security continue to be key challenges.

Allaying ICT-related anxiety entails boosting not only ability to utilize information, but also understanding of security. In particular, those in their 60s and 70s have relatively low ability to utilize information and understanding of security, and correspondingly high levels of anxiety.

(2) Parents play a major role in the advancement of children's ICT utilization (P18)

As children grow older, their ability to utilize information grows, and at the same time they grow increasingly concerned over protection of privacy, viruses and other online threats. However, their anxiety levels are low compared to those of their parents.

Parents have a strong influence on their children's ICT use, with a tendency for parents with strong ability to utilize information to have children with strong ability as well. However, there are discrepancies between parents' and children's perceptions of the ICT environment, including household rules governing Internet use, etc. Among parents who responded that their household had rules in place, 27.2% of the children of these parents responded that there were "no rules."

(3) Precisely targeted measures tailored to the needs of specific segments of society are needed to overcome the digital divide in Japan (P19)

The Internet utilization rate in Japan stands at 78.2%, with the elderly and low-income people being the most prominent digital "have-nots". As the Internet becomes ever more indispensable for people's lifestyles, there is a need to consider ways to include all members of society.

The Internet supplements social relations to a recognizable degree, with around 70% of participants in online communities responding that the Internet had revived ties with others.

Affordability and user-friendly devices (for the elderly) are at the top of the wish list among digital have-nots.

(4) ICT infrastructure penetration is centered on the mobile sector in developing countries (P20)

● Around 60% of Internet users live in high-income countries (comprising 16% of the total population), and there is a persistent digital divide.

In contrast to developed countries, ICT infrastructure development is centered on mobile devices in developing nations. However, fees for broadband and other ICT infrastructure are high, standing in the way of increased penetration and utilization.

There are countries outside the developed world where SNS utilization is on the rise. A picture is emerging of progress in ICT utilization centered around mobile devices and SNS.

(5) Promotion of local ICT utilization faces challenges in terms of fees, human resources, expertise and infrastructure (P21)

The majority of local governments provide information through websites or other basic ICT, but resident services employing ICT are offered only in a stagnant 27.4% of the total. Cost, human resources, expertise and infrastructure all present challenges.

There are major gaps in perception of ICT between those entities utilizing ICT and those not doing so. (Of those implementing ICT projects, 75.8% say these projects are "effective." However, among those not yet implementing projects, 61.9% "could not say" whether such programs are effective or not.) To promote utilization, it is essential both to find solutions to challenges and to provide clear illustrations of benefits.

(6) In addition to resolution of financial and ICT human resources issues, establishing wide-ranging partnerships is also essential (P22)

Local governments' utilization of ICT is dependent on the district's fiscal health and access to competent human resources. The disparity between levels of ICT utilization in local areas is a concern.

More ICT progress is made when NPOs lend a hand. However, most informatization NPOs are concentrated in cities, and local areas are weak in terms of both fiscal health and organizational structure. There is a strong need for broad-based, inter-regional partnerships.