communications and their impact on economies and society through the exchange of opinions among member countries at the Committee on Digital Economy Policy (CDEP).

## Section 9 Promoting ICT Applications in Government Services and Disaster Preparedness

### 1. Promoting e-government

## (1) Promoting the widespread adoption of regional information platforms

Regional information platforms are a set of operational and technical rules (standard specifications) that make it possible to interconnect various information systems (for the exchange of digital information, etc.) owned by local governments. The Association for Promotion of Public Local Information and Communication (APPLIC) publishes and operates the Regional Information Platform Standard Specifications that cover 26 types of internal local government systems.

## (2) Constructing local government ICT infrastructure that is resilient against disasters and accidents

The Local Government Cloud is an initiative that enables local governments to make use of system hardware, software, and data, via networks, that are managed and operated at an external data center. In other cases, information systems from multiple local governments are consolidated and shared between the local governments. The Local Government Cloud saves local governments from having to manage and operate system hardware, software, and data at their own offices.

MIC announced the Ten Guidelines to Accelerate E-Local Government Initiatives in March 2014. The purpose of the Guidelines is to further promote e-government initiatives by local governments that have started adopting the Local Government Cloud. In November 2014, MIC launched the Follow-up Study Group on the Ten Guidelines to Accelerate E-Local Government Initiatives, consisting of experts in the field and officials from local governments.

Considering the lessons of the Great East Japan Earthquake, MIC released an initial version sample of the Business Continuity Plans for ICT Units in Local Governments (ICT-BCP) in order to ensure the fluid execution of emergency response operations by preparing ICT units for crises. The plans focus on initial-response operations during the first 72 hours or so after the occurrence of a disaster. MIC has decided to provide support to local governments with ICT-BCP establishment and work to strengthen and enhance local governments' crisis-response abilities.

## (3) Enhancing infrastructure to achieve citizen-centered e-government and more efficient administrative procedures

The Basic Resident Registration Network System (Juki-Net) is a local government system that networks basic resident registries. The system enables the provision of personal identification records (name, address, date of birth, gender, Individual Number, resident register code, and update information) to government institutions and the administrative processing of basic resident registers between municipal boundaries. The Basic Resident Registration Network System has operated stably for over 13 years since it went into operation in August 2002, and it has assumed a pivotal role in improving convenience to residents and as infrastructure for e-government and e-local government.

Municipalities issued My Number cards starting in January 2016, and citizens can now obtain various forms of ID and certificates at convenience stores with their My Number card.

### b. Public Certification Service for Individuals provided by the Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems

The Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems provides the Public Certification System for Individuals based on the Act on Certification Affairs of the Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems Pertaining to Electronic Signatures (Law No. 153 of FY 2002) to improve convenience for residents and help make administrative operations simpler and more efficient. Applications and procedures that can be done with the Public Certification Service for Individuals include filing tax returns and property registrations. As of April 1, 2016, the Public Certification System for Individuals was being used for procedures from 9 central government ministries and agencies and all prefectural and municipal governments.

### 2. Promoting ICT applications in the disaster preparedness field

## (1) Establishing resilient fire, safety, and disaster preparedness communications networks

Currently, five major communications networks making up the fire, safety, and disaster preparedness communications networks connecting the national government, the Fire and Disaster Management Agency, local governments, and residents have been constructed.

The five networks are: (1) a central disaster administration wireless network for collecting and transmitting information within government; (2) a fire-prevention and disaster wireless network that connects the Fire and Disaster Management Agency and prefectural governments; (3) prefectural disaster administration wireless networks that connect prefectures with municipalities; (4) municipal disaster administration wireless networks that connect municipalities with residents; and (5) a sat-