Release Date: June 28, 2005

Publication of 2005 White Paper "Information and Communications in Japan"

  The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) distributed the 2005 White Paper "Information and Communications in Japan" at the Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, June 28, 2005 and published the document.
  "Information and Communications in Japan" has been published by the MIC every year since 1973 in order to gain the people's understanding of the current situation for information and communications in Japan and the trend of information and communications policies. The document counts this year's issue as its 33rd.

  In December 2004, the MIC announced a "u-Japan" policy with the aim of achieving a "ubiquitous network society" (u-Japan) in which "anything and anyone" can easily access networks and freely transmit information "from anywhere at any time" by 2010.

  Against this background, this year's white paper features "Stirrings of u-Japan," and studies and analyzes the current status toward achieving a "ubiquitous network society" from various perspectives, including people's expectations, the trend in the use of ubiquitous networks by companies, examples of use, and challenges toward the realization (see "White Paper 2005 Information and Communications in Japan PR materials for Oversea Press").

    "Information and Communications in Japan" will be published as follows.

<Publication styles>
    - Publication in paper
  
     A4-size color booklet (with CD-ROM; 2,600 yen [tax inclusive])
(To become available at large bookstores, Government Publication Service Centers, and official gazette dealers on Wednesday, June 29, 2004)
   - Publication on MIC's website (http://www.soumu.go.jp/)
    
(1) To be published in Japanese (entire text and outline) on June 28, 2005
(2) To be published in English (summary and outline) by around July
(3) "Information and Communications in Japan for Kids" for elementary and junior high school students (to be published by around September)

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International Policy Division,
International Affairs Department
Telecommunications Bureau, MIC
TEL: +81 3 5253 5920 / FAX: +81 3 5253 5924