June 30, 2004

Ministry of Public Management,
Home Affairs,
Posts and Telecommunications



MPHPT decides on R&D topics for fiscal 2004 SCOPE



The MPHPT has taken into consideration the results of the evaluation carried out by the evaluation committees convened from June 16 until 24 that had been set up per program, and has made and announced a decision on the R&D topics to be adopted for the fiscal 2004 Strategic Information and Communications R&D Promotion programme (SCOPE).

The SCOPE is a competitive research funding programme that promotes R&D with a wealth of creativity and innovation, in line with strategic target goals, so as to sow the seeds of information and communications technology, improve the level of researchers, and create world-leading intellectual assets by building a competitive R&D environment.

This fiscal year, as part of the R&D through Encouraging, the MPHPT has set up the new area of R&D for Promoting Regional Information and Communications Technology in addition to the development of young researchers and the promotion of cooperation between industry, academia and the government. This is for R&D that contributes to the promotion and improvement of information and communications technology on a regional basis. The MPHPT adopted five topics in this new area, which are expected to have ripple effects including the creation of new services and industries, the revitalization of existing industries, and the promotion of informatization.

In order to move ahead with the building of a worry-free and convenient ubiquitous network society, the MPHPT has also adopted a wide range of R&D topics that need to be pursued strategically, starting with the optical networks and mobile communications in which Japan is a world leader, and including IPv6, security technology, and basic quantum communications technology.

For details refer to the Japanese web site
http://www.soumu.go.jp/s-news/2004/040630_9.html

For further information about this press release, please contact:

International Policy Division, International Affairs Department
Telecommunications Bureau
Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs,
Posts and Telecommunications
Tel: (03) 5253-5920 Fax: (03) 5253-5924

Or visit
http://www.soumu.go.jp/joho_tsusin/eng/contact.html to fill in the inquiry form.