| November 29, 2000 Cabinet Secretariat |
| 1. Purpose |
To promote measures for forming an advanced information and telecommunications network society expeditiously and intensively, in light of the urgency to adapt ourselves to the world's rapid and drastic changes in the socioeconomicstructure caused by the utilization of information and telecommunications technology
| 2. Definition |
An "advanced information and telecommunications network society" is a society in which people can develop themselves creatively and vigorously in all fields of activities by acquiring, sharing and transmitting a variety of information or knowledge on a global scale freely and safely through the Internet and other advanced information and telecommunications networks.
| 3. Basic ideas |
Significance of the formation of an advanced information and telecommunications network society
Realization of a society in which the people can enjoy the benefits of information and telecommunications technology by having the opportunities to use advanced information and telecommunications networks easily and independently, and being able to fully and creatively demonstrate their individual abilities through such opportunities
Basic points of view
| - | Promotion of the economic structural reform (facilitation of e-commerce/creation of new businesses) |
| - | Realization of a national life that evokes feelings of comfort and affluence (diverse information services at low rates) |
| - | Realization of vital, individualized local communities (creation of local employment opportunities/expansion of diverse interchanges) |
| - | Appropriate role sharing between the public and private sectors in which the private sector takes the lead in principle, and the State, etc. take charge of upgrading the environment such as promotion of fair competition |
| - | Correction of gaps in opportunities and skills for use of information and telecommunications technology (measures against the Digital Divide) |
| - | Dealing with new problems in areas of employment, etc. |
| 4. Basic policy for the measures |
| - | Integrated promotion of the further expansion of advanced information and telecommunications networks, , enrichment of contents, and learning of the skills for utilizing information |
| - | Formation of the world's most advanced information and telecommunications networks, promotion of fair competition, and other measures |
| - | Upgrading of people's skills for utilizing information and development of expert human resources |
| - | Reform of regulations and facilitation of e-commerce through appropriate protection and exploitation of intellectual property rights, etc. |
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Promotion of realization of an electronic government and electronic local governments (simplifying as well as improving efficiency and transparency of administration) and application of information and telecommunications technology in the public sector |
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Assuring security and reliability for networks and protection of personal data |
| - | Promotion of creative research and development |
| - | International cooperation and contribution (establishment of international standards/assistance to least developed countries) |
| 5. Priority policy program |
A priority policy program setting forth measures that should be implemented by the government expeditiously and intensively is formulated in accordance with the basic ideas and the basic policy for the measures, and published via the Internet, etc. (Operations within the jurisdiction of the Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of an Advanced Information and Telecommunications Society)
| - | Concrete objectives and time limits for accomplishment of the objectives shall be, in principle, decided for each measure. |
| - | The accomplishment level of the objectives shall be investigated and published in a timely manner. |
| 6. Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of an Advanced Information and Telecommunications Network Society |
| - | Established in the Cabinet (Director-General: Prime Minister) |
| - | United efforts of the public and private sectors (consisting of all cabinet members and knowledgeable people in the private sector,etc.) |
| 7. Responsibilities |
| - | Responsibilities of the State and local governments |
| - | Mutual cooperation between the State and local governments |
| 8. Compilation and publication of statistics/publicity activities |
| 9. Supplementary provisions |
| - | Enters into force on January 6, 2001 |
| - | The execution status is reviewed within three years after the Act enters into force, and revisions are made based on the results. |