Japan: Urgent Report by Minkan Joho Rincho

[David Farber <farber@central.cis.upenn.edu>]

From: Gateway Japan Project <gwjapan@umd5.umd.edu>
CC: Kumon@glocom.ac.jp


*UNOFFICIAL* Translation of "Urgent Report by Minkan Joho Rincho"




[Translator's Note: The following is an unofficial rendering of the
original report posted June 21 and 23 by Chiemi Hoshino
(chiemi@glocom.ac.jp) and Shumpei Kumon (shumpei@glocom.ac.jp),
respectively.  Any errors or misunderstandings are my own. - LG]




            URGENT REPORT ON THE PROMOTION OF ADVANCED
                   "INFORMATIONIZATION" (JOHOKA)




The realization of an advanced information society is effecting
unfathomable changes to international society, not to mention
Japan.  This extends not only to the economy, but to all areas
including society, culture, politics, administration, etc.


Today, with the historical transition from industrialized society
to advanced information society, a new paradigm is being sought for
the improvement of Japan's productivity and enrichment of the
national livelihood.


Information society impacts on the national livelihood as well.  It
provides a great leap in convenience to the nation, promotes the
activation and creativity of each person, and creates the vital
energy of society.  This is also the path to becoming the
prosperous and ample lifestyle superpower as advocated by the
government.


Meanwhile, Japan's industrial sector is languishing in business
infrastructure due to the protracted recession.  Also, problems to
be solved in the industrial sector are mounting, such as the
reduction of international competitiveness and improvement of
productivity in an industry of reduced productivity.


Advanced informationization is the key to a future that solves all
the problems Japan's society and industry are facing.  Toward its
realization, measures resting on reformist concepts held in common
by government and the people will determine its success or failure.
Elimination of the factors obstructing realization of the advanced
information society stalls U.S.-Japan talks and summits, and its
urgency is a matter of great concern in the nation.


In the realization of the advanced information society, measures
applying the total public and private efforts are required.  The
"Joho Shin Seiki Kaigi" (Committee for the New Century of
Information), aware of its own central role in promoting and
painting a clear vision of informationization, promotes the reform
of consciousness toward informationization with the entrepeneur in
mind.  At the same time, it conducts illuminatory activities
oriented toward the consensus of society as a whole.  Also, it
strives to solve its own problems while establishing an environment
for the review of commercial practices that hinder
informationization.


Expecting as well strong measures of support from the government
for private efforts, the quasi-private organization, Joho Shin
Seiki Kaigi, makes the following urgent proposal to the government.




                             PROPOSAL




1.   System for Promotion


     1)   To realize the advanced information society, construction
          of a grand national design and development of reformist
          policies founded on a clear vision are necessary.


     2)   Each ministry has made efforts toward the realization of
          the advanced information society in accordance with its
          respective roles.  However, in order to resolve difficult
          problems such as unification and regulation of policies
          of each ministry, strong leadership of the Prime Minister
          and Cabinet is henceforth required.


     3)   For example, one may consider the establishment of a
          "Committee for the Promotion of Advanced
          Informationization," to be headed by the Prime Minister.


     4)   Also, for each measure of policy, a system that correctly
          and continuously grasps the will of the people (user) is
          necessary.


2.   New Social Capital Infrastructure


     1)   In order to respond to the transition from industrialized
          society to information society, a new capital
          infrastructure related to advanced informationization
          should be urgently and strongly promoted.


     2)   In order to promote advanced informationization, it is
          necessary to change the way of thinking for public
          investment up to now, and to modify its framework and
          distribution.


     3)   Also, in the compilation of the budget, a special stage
          of concern is expected for the management expenses of
          promoting informationization of the very operations of
          each ministry as well as those of public investment.


3.   Review of the System Toward Advanced Informationization


     1)   The progress of Japan's deregulation is of great concern
          within international society and within the country.


     2)   For public and private enterprises, it is necessary to
          plan for the guarantee of fair and free competition and
          stimulation of the marketplace.


     3)   The things now being sought in order to realize advanced
          informationization will tap the national livelihood to
          the fullest extent.  It will be difficult to respond
          premised on pre-existing regulations.


     4)   Regulations should be reviewed based on the concept of
          "free in principle, regulation as exception", which is
          based on the position of profit.


     5)   In order to promote informationization, all laws and
          regulations should be comprehensively reviewed including
          those related to information and telecommunications.


4.   International Harmonization


     1)   Japan has its own vision about the concept of GII (Global
          Information Infrastructure), and should make a genuine
          international contribution.  In particular, a unified
          system of public and private interests is necessary in
          order to respond to European and American promotional
          systems.


                       --- End of Report ---




Joho Shin Seiki Kaigi [Committee for the New Century of
Information]
(commonly called "Minkan Joho Rincho")




1.   Purpose


     To present to the people at large the desiderata for the
advanced information society, to propose policies to be adopted by
the government, by means of which to plan for the realization of
the advanced information society at the head of the 21st century.


2.   Organization


     Director       Masao Kamei (Chairman of Japan Productivity
                    Center for Socio-Economic Development)
     Chairman       Ken Moroi (Chairman, Chichibu Cement)
     Staff          Shumpei Kumon (Director, Center for Global
                    Communications, International University of
                    Japan)
                    Etsuya Washio (Secretary General, Japan
                    Federation of Trade Unions)
     Members        13 names


3.   Special Committees


     Special Committee on Lifestyle and Society (Chair: Tadao
Saito, Professor, Tokyo University)      21 members


     To compile policies for the development and concretization of
     the advanced information society in its lifestyle and social
     aspects.


     Special Committee on Industry (Chair: Kaneo Nakamura, Advisor,
Industrial Bank of Japan)                22 members


     To compile policies for the development and concretization of
     the advanced information society in its industrial aspects.


Offices of the Committee are conducted at Shakai Seisansei Hombu.


4.   Follow-Up


     The Committee is planning further activities directed at the
government and national level of public discourse, including
symposia at appropriate times, and discussions bringing together
relevant officials.


Chiemi Hoshino [chiemi@glocom.ac.jp]
Center for Global Communications
International University of Japan
5-2-32 Minami-Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106
TEL: 03-3449-7225   FAX: 03-3449-7744