June 13, 2008

Candidates to Be Entrusted with Projects for Construction of Local Community Models through ICT Utilization and Local Information Platform Promotion Projects Decided

From April 7 until May 8, 2008, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) invited proposals on projects for construction of local community models through ICT utilization in fiscal 2007 as well as on local information platform promotion projects.

Following the evaluation of proposals conducted by external experts, MIC decided the candidates to be entrusted with these projects.

1. Outline of the projects
Projects for construction of local community models through ICT utilization

(1) Purpose
In light of various issues facing local communities, such as the revitalization of local economies, the declining birthrate, and the aging of society, MIC entrusts model projects for solving these issues through utilization of ICT. It envisages that entrusted organizations will acquire insights and expertise required for developing businesses and spread such expertise in their communities, consequently facilitating the development of local ubiquitous networks.

(2) Details of the projects to be entrusted
Entrusted by MIC, each municipality will build an ICT utilization model that solves local issues. Each model should encompass a series of problem-solving activities, such as planning, designing and developing information and communications systems, continuous operation of such systems, and establishing necessary frameworks.

Local information platform promotion projects
(1) Purpose
MIC intends to facilitate the provision and penetration of one-stop services beyond the borders of communities or organizations. Demonstration experiments for such services must be conducted by using systems that comply with the rules that respective systems should follow, i.e., "Local Information Platform Standard Specifications v 2.0," to identify issues and find solutions so that both private sector and public information systems can be connected and linked.

(2) Details of the projects to be entrusted
MIC will entrust the projects for the two fields of (i1) one-stop moving service (1 project) and (ii2) local community revitalization (about 5 projects). In order to expedite the provision and penetration of one-stop services, entrusted organizations must identify operational and institutional issues and present possible solutions.

Demonstration experiments of the one-stop moving service will be conducted as part of the Cabinet's efforts for building model cities to promote the next-generation e-government. Demonstration experiments to link the systems of central government and local governments are to be conducted in the next fiscal year and onward.

2. Decision results
MIC convened a council consists of external experts to evaluate the proposals received. Considering the evaluation results, MIC decided the candidates to be entrusted with these projects.

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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