December 6, 2005

Promotion of Introduction of ICT into Education
-- Efforts to prepare implementation of LANs for public schools --

Within FY2005, the last fiscal year of the ''e-Japan Strategy,'' it has become difficult to attain the target goal of preparing school LANs for introduction of ICT into education under the Strategy. Thus, recognizing that from the viewpoint of realizing a ubiquitous society, promotion of ICT introduction into education is vital, MIC will, henceforth, implement the following initiatives without delay, in cooperation with relevant ministries and the Cabinet Office:

1. Support for LAN introduction into schools
MIC is to support smooth introduction of LANs into schools, for instance, developing a ''model plan'' (guidelines for constructing school LANs including the use of wireless LANs) tailored to the actual situation at each school.
2. Support for participation of private sector
Through preparation of a support scheme (consultation services, holding of explanatory meetings, etc.) under Regional Bureaus of Telecommunications, etc. of MIC, MIC will prepare an environment for encouraging telecommunications carriers, manufacturers, etc. to participate in LAN construction.
3. Requesting local public entities for cooperation
MIC will encourage efforts to prepare school LANs through providing requests to local public entities for provision of various information, etc.
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For further information about this press release, please fill in the inquiry form and submit it to MIC on the website
http://www.soumu.go.jp/joho_tsusin/eng/contact.html


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