these projects. Seven ministries, including MIC, have

### 8. Promoting e-Government

## (1) Promoting the Widespread Adoption of Regional Information Platforms

Regional information platforms are the 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) Promoting the Local Government Cloud and Security Measures

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. This also enables consolidation and sharing of information systems from multiple local governments among them. The Local Government Cloud saves local governments from having to manage and operate system hardware, software, and data at their own offices. MIC is conducting research for accelerating this move and is promoting the consolidation of local governments' operation systems into this cloud.

MIC announced the Ten Guidelines to Accelerate e-Local Government Initiatives in March 2014 for the purpose of further promoting e-government initiatives by local governments, such as the adoption of 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.

### (3) Enhancing Infrastructure to Achieve Citizen-centered e-Government and More Efficient Administrative Procedures A. Application of the Basic Resident Registration Network System

The Basic Resident Registration Network System (Ju-earmarked specific subsidies for the program.

ki-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 updated information of these records) 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 14 years since it went into operation in August 2002, and it has assumed a pivotal role in improving convenience for residents and as infrastructure for e-government and e-local government and as the basis for the Individual Number System since October 2015.

Municipalities have issued individual number cards since January 2016, and citizens can now obtain various forms of ID and certificates at convenience stores using their individual number cards. This service of allowing citizens to obtain certificates at convenience stores was available in 402 municipalities as of April 3, 2017.

### B. Public Certification Service for Individuals Provided by the Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems

Based on the Act on Certification Affairs of the Japan Agency for Local Authority Information Systems pertaining to Electronic Signatures, the Japan Agency for Local Authority Information System provides e-certificates for signature and e-certificates for identity verification. Applicants go through strict identity verification at designated municipal counters and may receive the issuance of a certificate stored in their individual number cards. For example, a person can affix an e-signature using his/her e-certificate for signature with a secret key stored in his/her individual number card and send it with the e-certificate for signature, thereby being able to make an online application with an administrative agency.

## Section 6 Promoting ICT Research and Development

### 1. Promoting Research and Development Strategies

The interim report by the Information and Communications Council in July 2015 recommends priority R&D fields and topics, as well as a policy on promoting them, that the central government and NICT, etc. should pursue. Based on this interim report, MIC is making efforts to promote the development, demonstration, and standardization of IoT technologies at the Smart IoT Acceleration Forum (Technology Development Working Group) established under the IoT Acceleration Consortium as an industry-government-academia IoT promotion framework. The second interim report publicized in July 2016 compiles the Smart IoT Acceleration Strategy and the Next Generation AI Promotion Strategy for strengthening and maintaining the international competitiveness of the Japanese economy and ensuring sustainable growth in the IoT, big data, and AI era. Additionally, the Measures to Train IoT Experts to enable younger generations to have power equal to that of foreign competitors, and the new Standardization Strategy to specify priority areas in future international standard