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September 9,
2002, Vol. 13, Nos. 10-11
ISSN 1346-5317
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Focusing on Priority Areas in FY2003 Budget
| Upon requesting the FY2003 budget, MPHPT compiled
a paper entitled "FY2003 IT Policy Principles," that outlines
priority areas for IT policies in the FY2003 budget request in August
2002. |
With regard to the FY2003 IT Policy Principles, the
IT Strategic Headquarters in June 2002 developed the "e-Japan Priority
Policy Program-2002" that reorganized the government's IT policy
measures to be implemented swiftly with priority. Thus, MPHPT systematically
reviewed and reorganized its IT policy measures in line with the "e-Japan
Priority Policy Program-2002."
As a result of the review, the FY2003 IT Policy Principles were classified
into layered structures under the following recognition:
i) it is necessary to further preparation of network infrastructures
so as to be ready for IP and broadband features;
ii) it is essential to develop promotion policy measures for raise the
number of actual network users that is smaller than that of potential
network users; and
iii) it is vital to cope with such cross-cutting issues as security
measures/privacy protection measures, bridging the digital divide, etc.
In order to make Japan the world's most advanced IT nation, priority
fields are to be promoted strategically according to the recognition
above. The priority fields included in the FY2003 IT Policy Principles
are as follows:
1) Further preparation of network infrastructures
i) Frameworks for new pro-competitive policy ready for IP and broadband
features, ii) Advanced strategy toward IPv6, etc., iii) Nationwide deployment
of broadband networks (National Broadband Initiative), iv) Promotion
of digitalization of terrestrial broadcasting, v) Promotion of effective
use of radio spectrum, and vi) Preparation of an environment surrounding
radio spectrum use, etc.
2) Promotion of network use
vii) Promotion of digital content distribution, viii) Promotion of e-commerce,
ix) Promotion of e-government, etc., x) Promotion of e-local governments,
xi) Development of human resources, and xii) Activation of local economies/support
for venture businesses
3) Common/cross-cutting issues
xiii) Study on frameworks for networked society, xiv) Promotion of security
measures/privacy protection measures, xv) Promotion of strategic R&D,
xvi) Promotion of international strategy, xvii) Bridging of the digital
divide, and xviii) Promotion of consumer support measures
Inquiry Concerning Development of
Radio Policy Vision to Telecommunications Council
-- Mid- to long-term outlook of radio spectrum use and the role to be
played by the administration --
In recent years, as exemplified by cellular
telephones and wireless LANs, radio spectrum use is drastically expanding
in terms of quality and quantity, resulting in the serious shortage
of available radio spectrums. Furthermore, reflecting technological
innovations in the IT field, demands by people for radio spectrums are
increasingly diversifying and heading toward broadband wireless use.
Basic roles of radio spectrums include realization of comfortable and
high quality of life, activation of industrial/economic activities,
formation of a safe and disaster-tolerant society/national land, promotion
of science and technology, etc. In these years, however, circumstances
surrounding the radio administration are dramatically changing, i.e.,
expansion of mobile carriers and other industries utilizing radio spectrums,
development of IP-based networks, remarkable technological innovations
including software defined radios (SDRs), development of globalization
such as international roaming of cellular telephone, a mutual recognition
agreement (MRA), etc.
Against these backdrops, the mid- to long-term outlook of radio spectrum
use is anticipated on socioeconomic roles of radio spectrum in the future,
future perspectives of radio spectrum use, future trends in wireless
technology, demand forecasts for available frequencies, etc. Thus, there
are needs to develop the radio administration's policy goals and measures
in the future, and to deploy the more strategic radio administration
than ever.
To this end, on August 7, 2002, MPHPT inquired of the Telecommunications
Council about the development of the mid- to long-term vision (Radio
Policy Vision) in order to promote the radio administration from comprehensive
viewpoints based upon the future outlook of radio spectrum use, the
IT strategy, the international strategy, etc.
[Scheme for deliberations and items to be deliberated]
1. Scheme for deliberations
The Telecommunications Council will establish a "Special Department
for Radio Policy" in order to deliberate on the Radio Policy Vision.
2. Items to be deliberated
i) Domestic and foreign trends in radio spectrum use
ii) Future outlook of radio spectrum use (roles, usage, technological
trends, demands forecasts for frequencies)
iii) Future policy goals and measures of the radio administration
[Schedule]
The Telecommunications Council will compile its findings as a report
by March 2003.
| Fig. Positioning of Radio Policy Vision |
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Frequency Assignment Plan for Microwave
Bands to Be Amended
To date, higher frequencies are assigned for mobile
communications. With regard to frequencies for mobile services, it
is anticipated that microwave bands beyond 3 GHz bands will be used
for future mobile services.
MPHPT decided to review the Frequency Assignment Plan pertaining to
microwave bands, etc., in line with the two reports from the Telecommunications
Council, "Technical Conditions for the Digital STL/TTL (studio
to transmitter link/transmitter to transmitter link) for Television
Program Transmission" (January 2002) and "Technical Conditions
for 5GHz-Band Wireless Access System" (May 2002), based upon
the report from the "Study Group on Use of Microwave Band for
Fixed Communications Systems" (June 2001) and the "e-Japan
Priority Policy Program" (IT Strategic Headquarters Decision
of March 2001). MPHPT will promulgate and enforce partial amendments
to the Frequency Assignment Plan in September 2002, upon reception
of a report from the Radio Regulatory Council stating that the relevant
amendments to the Frequency Assignment Plan are appropriate.
Note: "frequency assignment will be reviewed
and frequency re-allocation carried out by FY2002 in order to ensure
frequency for the fourth-generation wireless communications system,
etc." e-Japan Priority Policy Program
1. Ensuring frequencies for 5 GHz band wireless
access systems
In order to introduce 5 GHz band wireless access systems, the 4.9-5GHz
band, which is used for fixed microwave communications, shall be made
available for wireless access systems while spectrums assigned for
fixed services shall be limited to the current licensing period before
the next re-licensing in 2007. Before 2007, the 5.03-5.09 GHz band,
which is reserved for microwave landing system (MLS), shall be provisionally
made available for wireless access systems.
2. Ensuring frequency bands for future mobile services
Based upon e-Japan Priority Program, in order to ensure frequencies
for future mobile services, taking into consideration the report from
the "Study Group on Use of Microwave Band for Fixed Communications
Systems" (June 2001), i) 4 GHz and 5 GHz bands for fixed services
for commercial telecommunications service shall be reserved within
the next 10 years, ii) current assignments in the 4 GHz and 5 GHz
bands shall cease prior to the re-licensing in 2012, and iii) those
4 GHz and 5 GHz bands shall be made available for mobile services
for commercial telecommunications service.
3. Additional assignment of 6.5 and 7.5 GHz bands
for general and public services to STL/TTL, etc.
Frequency bands for broadcast auxiliary service shall be newly added
to 6.5 and 7.5 GHz bands for fixed service of general and public services.
Of fixed microwave links to be reallocated to ensure frequency bands
for future mobile services, limited to cases where those links are
difficult to be replaced with optical cables, the 6.5 and 7.5 GHz
bands shall be made available for commercial telecommunications service
so as to reallocate those links to these frequency bands.
4. Additional assignment of 5.8, 6.4 and 6.8 GHz
bands for broadcast auxiliary service to commercial telecommunications
service
In order to further promote effective use of 5.8, 6.4 and 6.8 GHz
bands allocated for broadcast auxiliary service, these bands shall
be made available for fixed service for commercial telecommunications
service after the completion (2012) of digitalization of terrestrial
broadcasting.
Telecommunications Council Compiles
Report on "Desirable R&D Approach for Ensuring Technological
Competitiveness Pertaining to Information and Communications Technology
in Japan"
On August 7, 2002, MPHPT received a report
on a "Desirable R&D Approach for Ensuring Technological Competitiveness
Pertaining to Information and Communications Technology in Japan"
compiled by the Telecommunications Council (Chair: Mr. Akiyama Yoshihisa,
Chairman of Kansai Electric Power Co., Inc.).
This report contains the desirable R&D Approach of Japan, which
aims to become a creative nation built on a scientific and technological
basis ("knowledge-emergent nation"), on information and
communications technology positioned as core technology in the 21st
century supporting all industries.
This report proposes the following seven basic strategies based upon
recognition that Japan shall have a clear-cut strategy:
1. Promotion of "open-systems type R&D" toward establishment
of technology with higher transparency, through a nondiscriminatory
Approach open to domestic/overseas researchers
2. Realization of an intellectually-invigorating competition that
is diversified and multifaceted, by making Japan an attractive R&D
forum for domestic/overseas researchers
3. Weighted investment of R&D resources by setting priority R&D
areas, focusing on Japan's technological advantages such as mobile
communications
4. Appropriate assessment of R&D and researchers, and fair allotment
of resources as based upon the assessment
5. Strategic implementation of standardization activities, taking
into consideration acquisition and management as well as diffusion
of patents/intellectual property rights
6. Strengthening of object-oriented R&D and closer collaboration
of industry, academia and government based on a common recognition
7. Market creation through ideas of excellent individuals and younger
researchers
The report stresses that it is vital to promote strategies consisting
of two axes: "competition" of R&D brought about by intellectual
invigoration and mobilization among domestic/overseas researchers,
and "concerted efforts" through open-systems type R&D.
Furthermore, based upon these strategies, the report proposes the
following specific promotion measures to be taken by the government:
- Implementation of open-systems
- Prioritized R&D areas, research institutes and R&D facilities
- Construction of "networks of intellectuals" through creation
of human resource databases and utilization thereof
- Development of R&D basic guidelines
- Fostering of and support for human resources who will work for international
organizations
In addition, this report makes proposals for the government, private
research institutes and universities on their desirable roles and
directions of R&D functions to be strengthened.
MPHPT will, based upon this report, further promote R&D in the
information and communications field as well as exchanges of researchers,
so that Japan can ensure technological competitiveness that leads
countries around the world in the future.
Mr. Reuven Rivlin, Israeli Minister
of Communications Pays Courtesy Visits to Minister KATAYAMA and Vice-Minister
for Policy Coordination TSUKIO
Mr. Reuven Rivlin, Israeli Minister of
Communications exchanged opinions with MPHPT Minister KATAYAMA Toranosuke
and people in the telecommunications field, and paid technical visits
to telecommunications facilities during his visit to Japan from August
21 through 25, 2002.
At a meeting with Minister KATAYAMA held on August 22, Minister KATAYAMA
expressed cordial thanks for the visit by the Israeli Minister of
Communications in the year commemorating the 50th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Israel, and
stated that both countries shall further deepen relationships toward
the future. Minister Rivlin then invited Minister KATAYAMA to "Telecom
Israel 2002 Exhibition," in which major corporations in the information
and communications field around the world will participate, to be
held from November 4 through 7, 2002, in Tel Aviv.
At a meeting with Dr. TSUKIO Yoshio, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination,
held on August 23, Vice-Minister TSUKIO highly evaluated the current
status of Israeli information and communications industry as one of
the world's leading. Then, Minister Rivlin commented that he gained
the feeling of the higher level of Japanese industries through visits
to NTT DoCoMo, Inc., J-Phone Co., Ltd., KDDI Corp. and SOFTBANK Corp.,
and stated that further development of information and communications
in the two countries can be anticipated from bilateral cooperation.
It is expected that the Israeli Minister's visit to Japan will further
promote bilateral cooperative ties in the information and communications
field.
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| Mr. Reuven Rivlin (right), Israeli
Minister of Communications, pays courtesy visits to Minister KATAYAMA
(second from left) |
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International Policy Division,
International Affairs Department,
Telecommunications Bureau,
Ministry of Public Management, Home
Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications
1-2, Kasumigaseki 2-chome, Chiyoda-ku,
Tokyo 100-8926, Japan
Fax: +81-3-5253-5924
Tel: +81-3-5253-5920
e-mail: feedback-newsletter@soumu.go.jp
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