Official Announcement of Report from “Commission on Town Development utilizing ICT and Global Expansion”

1.Background and purpose

  ICT, such as disaster-resilient technologies including wireless networks, broadband networks and cloud services, and the state-of-the-art technologies related to the use and utilization of diversified information, including sensor networks, big data and ID are developing rapidly. Under these circumstances it is required to comprehensively utilize ICT for town development in order to construct disaster-resilient towns based on the experiences of the Great East Japan Earthquake. It is also necessary to contribute to the revival of Japan through challenges to new frontiers, and respond to increasing expectations in local communities where various issues, such as the falling birthrate and aging population, and the revival of communities and aging social infrastructures, are arising in a complex manner.
  In view of these circumstances, the MIC has held the Commission on ICT Town Development and Global Expansion for the purpose of deliberating on the state of new town development utilizing ICT and specific measures for expansion toward its realization. In doing so it aims at disaster-resilient town development, solutions to various issues facing local communities in a complex manner, economic revitalization, job creation, contribution to the international society, and the strengthening of international competitiveness.
  The Commission has compiled a report incorporating the measures for ICT expansion such as regional demonstration projects implemented from this fiscal year and the establishment of the “Meeting for ICT Smart Town Promotion” through government-industry-academia collaboration and cooperation between the public and private sectors. It aims to realize the advanced models by 2015 and their expansion inside and outside the country by 2020 toward the realization of the“ICT smart town,” which should be aimed at as a new town utilizing ICT. The report is officially announced herein.
  The MIC will endeavor to promote policies toward the realization of the “ICT smart town” based on the report.