The ICT industry with its widely acclaimed technology represents a driving force behind Japan's economic growth. It does not, however, occupy a large share of the global market. To address this situation by enhancing the international competitiveness of the ICT industry, in May 2007 the MIC set up the "ICT International Competitiveness Enhancement Program" (later revised as the "ICT International Competitiveness Enhancement Program ver. 2.0" in July 2008). The MIC organizes the "Conference on ICT International Competitiveness" based on this program and works to enhance the international competitive power of Japan's ICT industry by promoting revolutionary ICT services and developing overseas markets (e.g., promoting ubiquitous special zones, dispatching industry-government missions) through a collaboration of industry, academia and government.

With a background of advancing broadband applications in networks and the digitalization of broadcasting, the fusion of collaborative communications and broadcasting services including multimedia broadcasting for mobile phones and the broadband distribution or programs is expected to be further advanced, thereby requiring systems able to handle such structural changes in today's information-communications society.
In February 2008, the MIC sought advice from the Information and Communications Council on the "Comprehensive Law System for Communication and Broadcasting" in order to begin considering detailed systems able to handle the fusion and collaboration of communications and broadcasting. Based on a report to be issued by the Council, the MIC intends to submit a bill to the ordinary diet session in 2010.

ICT research and development has been promoted based on "UNS Research and Development Strategy Program II" that was set up for the appropriate handling of such issues as the lives of citizens, assurance of safety and measures to deal with global warming, as well as the enhancement of international competitiveness. More specifically, these efforts include ultrafast photonic network technology and other types of next-generation network foundation technology, ubiquitous platform technology, network robot technology and space communications technology.
In order to support original research and development efforts, Strategic Communication Planning & Evaluation (in Population Software Notes) (SCOPE) is also being implemented to invite a wide range of researchers to propose their research and development projects. Moreover, the Advanced Testbed Network for R&D and an Open Laboratory session are made open to wideranging segments of the public, thereby supporting research and development through the collaboration of industry, academia and administration.
Among other projects in progress are efforts to establish international standards through the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), while stressing the need to collaborate with the rest of Asia in order to disseminate Japan's research and development findings more widely throughout the international community.

As part of efforts to enhance international competitiveness of the ICT sector, the Headquarters for ICT International Development was established in January 2007 to assist in the international development of ICT companies by dispatching public-private missions and organizing ICT seminars in other countries regarding three prioritized areas: next-generation IP networks, wireless broadcasting and digital broadcasting (for which Japan has superior technology). For example, activities have been conducted in South American countries to promote the adoption of the digital terrestrial broadcasting system developed in Japan. Moreover, through economic partnership agreements (EPAs) with other countries, the introduction of systems necessary for relaxing or abolishing regulations and forming pro-competitive telecommunications markets has been promoted.
In order to handle the globalization of information-communications, active contributions have been given to such international organizations as ITU and APT, as well as organizing policy debates with the US and countries in Europe and Asia, and activities under multilateral frameworks such as WTO, OECD and APEC for promoting mutual understanding and cooperation with international organizations and other countries. For developing countries, the MIC helps train personnel through technical cooperation programs intended to establish and enhance telecommunications networks in an effort to eliminate the international digital divide.