MIC Communications News

APT-ITU Joint Meeting on the Role of ICT for Disaster Reduction Convened

Upon Construction of Disaster Reduction Communications Systems in Asia-Pacific Region

On February 28, 2005, an "APT-ITU Joint Meeting on the Role of ICT For Disaster Reduction" was held in Bangkok, Thailand.
At the Meeting, participants exchanged opinions on the role of ICT in a disaster within the Asia-Pacific region, and shared a common recognition on the importance of disaster relief communications systems. After the exchange of opinions, the Meeting adopted and released an output document as a result of the Meeting, outlining the action guideline. The output document contains such measures as strengthening the existing mechanism of a disaster relief telecommunications network/system, developing new systems including the wireless communications system for disaster relief, promoting human resources development through the implementation of training courses and providing support in the construction of a system by dispatching technical experts.
The output document -- "The Role of ICT for Disaster Warning and Relief" -- of the Meeting will be submitted as a contribution to the WSIS Phase II to be held in Tunisia in November 2005.

1. Attendees of the Meeting
Some 300 people, including officials from telecommunications administrations of APT Member countries, persons in charge of disaster management (involving the private sector) and officials from international organizations such as APEC, IMO and ABU

2. Outline of the output document
Learning what role ICT plays in mitigating the effects of such disasters and recognizing the importance of the diffusion of disaster relief telecommunications systems in the Asia-Pacific region, APT Members have confirmed the following action guideline "The Way Forward":

Outline of "The Way Forward"

Number of Unauthorized Computer Access Incidents and Current Status of R&D on Access Control Technologies

In accordance with the provisions of Article 7 paragraph (1) of the Law Concerning Unauthorized Access to Computer Systems (Law No. 128 of 1999: hereinafter referred to as the "Unauthorized Computer Access Law"), the National Public Safety Commission, the Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications and the Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry are to disclose the number of unauthorized cases of computer access and the current status of R&D on access control technologies.
The disclosed data are as follows:

1. Number of Unauthorized Computer Access Incidents

		CY2000	CY2001	CY2002	CY2003	CY2004
Total number of recognized cases of access		106	1,253	329	212	356
	Access from foreign countries	25	448	13	35	37
	Access within Japan	73	258	286	158	303
	Unknown access	8	547	30	19	16

The total number of unauthorized cases of computer access during CY2004 was 356 cases.

2. Current Status of R&D on Access Control Technologies
The current status of R&D on access control technologies pertaining to the "National Police Agency (NPA)," the "Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications" and the "Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry," and the current status at private corporations, etc. who were invited or surveyed by NPA, MIC and/or METI were disclosed. Those technologies include technologies for i) detecting unauthorized accesses (intrusions) and/or access probe (attempts), and ii) authentication, among others.

Report Compiled at the "Study Group on Protecting Personal Information in the Field of Broadcasting and Satellite Broadcasting in the IT Era"

Since May 10, 2004, MIC has been holding the "Study Group on Protecting Personal Information in the Field of Broadcasting and Satellite Broadcasting in the IT Era" (Chair: Prof. FUNADA Masayuki, College of Law and Politics, Rikkyo University). The Study Group has been deliberating upon i) a framework for protecting personal information so that individuals can feel secure in concluding a subscriptions contract and viewing/listening broadcasts, and ii) a framework for developing and operating a more attractive satellite broadcasting system. After a series of meetings, the Study Group compiled its findings as a report.

1. Background
Sixteen years have passed since the launch of full-fledged satellite broadcasting services in 1989. During the period, satellite broadcasting has played leading roles in the advancement of broadcasting, including introduction of high-definition TV broadcasting. However, satellite broadcasting has been facing unprecedented environmental changes, such as the full-scale deployment of terrestrial digital broadcasting and ongoing deployment of broadband platforms in the communications field.
The "Law Concerning the Protection of Personal Information (Law No. 57 of 2003)" will fully come into force as from April 1, 2005. Since information leakage cases have occurred in the broadcasting industry, people have increasing concern about efforts to address personal information protection in the broadcasting field. In response to such concern, comprehensive measures for protecting personal information of viewers/listeners, etc. is requested to be taken so that people can feel secure in receiving broadcasting services, and such measures can contribute to the sound development of broadcasting.

2. Outcomes of the Study Group
The Study Group in August 2004 has compiled a "basic framework for protecting personal information in the broadcasting field," describing a basic concept concerning protection of personal information, such as desirable guidelines for protecting personal information in the broadcasting field. Since then, the Study Group has continuously deliberated upon i) regulatory measures, including laws and regulations governing broadcasting, for ensuring effectiveness of appropriate steps to be taken by broadcasters, etc. for personal information protection, and ii) whether a specific law exclusively for protecting personal information in the broadcasting is needed.
The Study Group also deliberated upon a regulatory framework and desirable operations of attractive satellite broadcasting, including broadcasting via communications satellites (CSs) at 110 degrees of east longitude.
In addition to the "basic framework for protecting personal information in the broadcasting field," this Report describes challenges and future images for i) personal information protection in the broadcasting field, and ii) development of satellite broadcasting in the ICT era.

3. Schedule
MIC will, paying due respect to the Group's report, take the necessary measures concerning a framework for protecting personal information so that individuals can feel secure in concluding a subscriptions contract and viewing/listening broadcasts, as well as a regulatory framework for governing and operating a more attractive satellite broadcasting system. MIC also continues to deliberate upon other topics, etc. to be considered in the future.
Furthermore, with regard to a framework for broadcast use of left-hand circular polarization transmitted from CSs at 110 degrees of east longitude, and measures through a broadcast-related legislation to ensure an appropriate approach to the protection of personal information, MIC, taking this Report into consideration, has commenced public comment procedures.