September 9, 2003,Vol. 14, No. 10-11 ISSN 1346-5317

The outline of the interim report is as follows:
1. Background
Currently, electronic tags as alternatives of barcodesare used mainly for physical distribution management systems and "in andout of room" management system, etc.  In the age of ubiquitous networks,however, in addition to alternative functions of barcodes, electronic tagswill open up a path to versatile and networked use thereof in such foreseenfields as medicine, food and education.  Thereby electronic tags areexpected to contribute to the formation of a ubiquitous network societyand the realization of the world's most advanced IT nation.
Thus, the "e-Japan Strategy II" (adopted in July 2003by the IT Strategic Headquarters) points out that there is a need to makeefforts at an early stage to address R&D and verification experimentstoward advanced use of electronic tags.

2. Deliberations upon advanceduse of electronic tags
i) Advanced use of electronic tags linking networks
Versatile applications of electronic tags in variousfields through strengthened interaction of electronic tags and networksare deliberated upon.  In particular, through compilation of futureapplications in 18 fields focusing on medicine, food and education, theinterim report proposes advanced use models, etc.
ii) Feasibility of new frequency introduction
At present, frequency bands of 135 kHz, 13.56 MHz and2.45 GHz are available for electronic tags in Japan.  In order toassign additional frequency bands to various fields, after deliberationsupon increased options for frequencies, it is found that frequency bandsaround the 950 MHz are assignable sooner to new systems using electronictags.  Toward introduction of new frequency bands, the interim reportrecommends that it is vital to implement verification experiments and deliberateupon detailed regulatory frameworks.

3. Estimates, etc. of economicripple effects
Economic ripple effects as of 2010 brought about by advanceduse of electronic tags are estimated as follows:
i) In the case where technological issues are solved,costs are lowered, and dissemination of electronic tags is promoted throughexpansion of applicable fields:  approximately 31 trillion yen
ii) In the case where technological issues are partlysolved, a sufficient environment for dissemination is prepared, and disseminationof electronic tags is promoted to some extent:  approximately 17 trillionyen
iii) In the case where issues concerning technologies/standardizationand security are unsolved, and dissemination of electronic tags is noteffectively promoted:  approximately 9 trillion yen

4. Measures for promotion
This interim report, based upon discussions at the StudyGroup, proposes the following measures for promotion:
i) Implementation of verification experiments involvingusers
Promotion of verification experiments involving users,R&D on various key technologies, etc.
ii) Promotion of advanced use of electronic tags utilizingbusiness methods, etc.
Measures for promotion, such as R&D on new applicationsof electronic tags, development of business methods, etc. and presentationthereof
iii) Assignable frequencies around 950 MHz band
Implementation of verification experiments on electronictag functions responding to new frequencies, interference with other systems,etc.; Implementation of detailed studies based upon the verification experiments
iv) Preparation and use of testbeds toward advanced useof electronic tags
Preparation and use of testbeds, as a common environment,for enabling various verifications
v) Promotion of standardization
Promotion of standardization in collaboration with European,U.S. and Asian countries
To this end, this interim report proposes that a promotionmechanism shall be established with concerted efforts of industry, academia,government and users; the mechanism shall be core frameworks for promotinginformation exchanges across industries, R&D and standardization, verificationof applications employing user opinions, and verification/assessment ofnew frequency use.
 

Since December 2002, MPHPT has been holding the "StudyGroup on Local Media Content" (Chair: Professor KOBAYASHI Koichi, Departmentof Media and Communication, Faculty of Sociology, the University of Toyo)with the purposes of i) investigating conditions and topics on leading-edgeapproaches to production and distribution of broadband content at the localcommunity level, ii) grasping potential needs for broadband content, andiii) thereby contributing to promotion of various content production/distributionin response to preparation of broadband platforms.
In June 2003, the Study Group compiled its findings asa report after a series of meetings.
The outline of the report is as follows:

I. Reasons why local media contentis to be focused on now (Chapter I.)
"Local media content": Content and broadcast programson information and topics specialized in a local community, produced mainlyby local media such as broadcasters, etc., local governments, public involvement,NPOs, and distributed/broadcast by local media
1-1. Purposes of promoting local media content
i) Promotion of local community (necessary informationfor community life, PR on local industries, introduction of community activities,delivery of administrative information, etc.)

ii) Correction of over-concentration of content production/transmissionto Tokyo
iii) Enabling support for local residents in producingcontent, improvement of media literacy
iv) Rediscovery of local community through public involvementin contents production/distribution

1-3-3. Policy trends in local media content (Chapter I. 1-3-3.)
i) The "Basic IT Strategy II (e-Japan Strategy II)" clearlyprescribes that it is vital to promote transmission of local digital contentin seven leading fields of IT utilization.
ii) The "Program for Promoting the Creation, Protectionand Exploitation of Intellectual Properties" also clearly states that itis essential to promote content production/distribution in local communities.

2. Current status of local mediacontent and leading measures therefor (Chapters II and III)
¥ Improvement of environments for local media contentproduction/distribution (aspect of hardware) (Chapter I.  1-3.)
Local media content production/distribution may be expandedthrough preparation of broadband infrastructures, launch of terrestrialdigital broadcasting, dissemination of digital content production technologies(e.g., digital video cameras, PCs for editing programs, etc.).
¥ Current status of local media content (Chapter II)
i) Shares of information volumes transmitted from Tokyoare on an upward tendency (from 14.2% in 1991 to 15.3% in 2001)  (ChapterI.  1-1-1)
ii) According to results of a survey conducted by theStudy Group, businesses related to local media content reply "lacking capital/budgets"(52.2%), "difficult to maintain profitability" (38.1%), "lacking staff"(48.3%), etc.  This survey illustrates that the current situationsurrounding those businesses is too severe to drastically accelerate production/distributionof local media content. (Chapter II.  2-1.)
Even under these severe circumstances, leading effortsare being made.

¥ Leading efforts (Chapter III.)
i) Promotion of public involvement in the production/distributionprocess
1-1.: Utilization of local human resources
¥ The Hitoyoshi-Kuma wide-area administrative cooperative(a special local public body for offering a portion of the administrativeservices of member local governments) is fostering talented people, called"resident directors", from residents as a human resource development program,and those "resident directors" are producing TV programs. The TV programsproduced by resident directors were broadcast by Kumamoto Cable Networkand Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting Co., Ltd. (KAB).
1-2 : Participation of NPOs, etc.
¥ MUSASHINO-MITAKA CABLE TELEVISION Inc. is broadcastingTV programs planned and produced by NPO "MUSASHINO-MITAKA CITIZEN TV" (MMCTV)on a regular basis.

ii) Tie-ups between businesses, etc.
2-1.: Exchanges of TV programs among the same industry
¥ Four independent UHF TV stations (Television Saitama(TVS), Chiba Television Broadcasting Corp., Television KANAGAWA, Inc. (TVK)and Tokyo Metropolitan Television Broadcasting Corp. (MXTV)) are airingprograms exchanged among the four stations on a regular basis.
2-2.: Exchanges of TV programs between different media
¥ Cable TV systems in Toyama Prefecture are mutuallyinterconnected via fiber-optic networks for sharing content.  Theyrealized tie-ups with different media through distribution of materialsmade from cable TV programs (content) via the Internet.

iii) Collaboration between local public entities and businesses
¥ In Tottori Prefecture, all cable TV systems in theprefecture are connected to the Tottori Information Highway (intra-prefecturalfiber-optic network) now that  construction of the Information Highwayhas been completed.  The Tottori Prefectural Government, with theprivate sector, is preparing an "inhabitants channel" for the InformationHighway.
iv) Transmission of local media content nationwide
¥ To broadcast the programs as mentioned in 1-1 via CSbroadcasting media (SKY PerfecTV)

3. Measures to be taken for promotingproduction/distribution of local media content (Chapter IV.)
Once the market size of local media content and the capacitiesof the local media content businesses causes a bottleneck, support measuresfor production/distribution of local media content will be deliberated. Leading measures will be taken on a nationwide basis, as the first step.

1) Leading cases to be applied nationwide (Chapter IV. 4-1.)
¥ The government will encourage the applications of leadingcases on a nationwide basis, so as to prevent leading cases from becomingephemeral and limited attempts.
¥ More specifically, the government will i) develop modelsfor application  to other areas, such as the public involvement typeand business tie-up type, ii) verify/analyze leading efforts, and iii)announce outcomes as "case studies" and "guidance reports."

2) Establishment of a tie-up/collaboration scheme amongstakeholders (Chapter IV.  4-2.)
¥ To support nationwide collaboration deployment of entitiesthat are carrying out leading efforts concerning local media content
¥ Specifically, to implement opinion exchanges amongstakeholders on establishment of a nationwide organization consisting ofrelevant various conferences, opening of a portal site introducing leadingefforts in each local community, establishment of an awards system, etc.
¥ To encourage production of local content by intellectualproperties headquarters set up within local public bodies

3) Exploitation and protection of intellectual properties(Chapter IV.  4-3.)
¥ It is necessary to make efforts enabling all peopleto gain the benefit of access to content made by local public bodies. 
¥ To promote digital archives containing cultural assetsin local communities, and use thereof as materials for content production

4) Preparation of infrastructures and the environmentfor improving information transmission capacities (Chapter IV.  4-4.)
¥ To prepare infrastructures for use not only by thepublic but also for stable distribution of local media content
¥ To prepare an environment whereby everyone is supportedin terms of information transmission, in order to improve the informationtransmission of local media content
 

In recent years, as exemplified by cellular phones andwireless LANs, reflecting technological innovations in the ICT field, demandsfor radio spectrums are increasingly diversifying and enhancing.
In response to these circumstances, in August 2002, MPHPTinquired of the Telecommunications Council (Chair: Mr. AKIYAMA Yoshihisa)about the "mid- to long-term outlook of radio spectrum use and the roleto be played the administration" and the Council submitted a report ("RadioPolicy Vision") in July 2003.
Considering the trends in radio spectrum use, based uponforecasts of demands for frequencies and R&D trends in radio technologies,the "Radio Policy Vision" prescribes mid- to long-term outlook for radiospectrum use after five to ten years and the following three mid- to long-termgoals of the future radio policy:

i) Contribution to realization of a ubiquitousnetwork society through construction of the worldÕs most advanced wirelessbroadband environment
ii) Ensuring national security through use of diversifiednetworks
iii) Fostering internationally competitive wireless ICTindustry

a) drastically revise frequency assignment, includingfrequencies currently in use by public organizations, public utilities,the Government, etc., without adhering to the existing regulatory frameworks,so as to meet demands for frequencies necessary for facilitating introductionof core radio systems comprising the wireless broadband environment;
b) prepare regulatory frameworks for frequency assignment/reallocation,including a compensation scheme for existing licensees upon the short-termreallocation, in consideration of the case where the existing licenseescould not use radio facilities that were acquired or constructed throughinvestment in the past and should shoulder costs for removing existingfacilities and for acquiring new facilities;
c) promote smooth implementation of the system of "self-declarationof technical conditions compliance," facilitate market distribution ofradio terminals, and consider expansion of target terminals in accordancewith market trends;
d) drastically revise the Spectrum User Fee System;
e) promote R&D;
f) strengthen international activities; and 
g) prepare a safe and secure environment for radio spectrumuse.