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Creation of a Complex Information and Telecommunications Network Culture

(Translation of Japanese Law)

Chapters

Chapter 1 General Provisions (Articles 1 to 15)

Chapter 2 Basic Policy Relating to Development of Measures (Articles 16 to 24)

Chapter 3 Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture (Articles 25 to 34)

Chapter 4
Priority Policy Program Concerning Formation of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture (Article 35)

Chapter 1 General Provisions

Purpose
   Article 1. The purpose of this Law is to promote measures for the development of a complex information and telecommunications network culture expeditiously and intensively by stipulating the basic ideas and policy for formulating measures, clarifying the responsibilities of the State and local governments, establishing the strategic head office for the promotion of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, and providing conditions for the development of a priority policy program for the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, in light of the urgency to adapt our country to the world's rapid and drastic changes in the socio-economic structure caused by the utilization of information and telecommunications technology.
Definition
Article 2. As used in this Law, a "complex information and telecommunications network culture" is a culture in which people can develop creatively and powerfully in all fields of activities by acquiring, sharing and transmitting a variety of information or knowledge on a global scale freely and safely through the Internet and other complex information and telecommunications networks.
Creation of a Culture to Allow Citizens to Enjoy Benefits of Information and Telecommunications Technology
Article 3. The formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture shall be implemented with the objective of realizing a culture in which the people can extensively enjoy the benefits of information and telecommunications technology by having the opportunities to use the Internet and other complex information and telecommunications networks easily and independently, and being able to fully and creatively demonstrate their individual abilities through such opportunities.
Promotion of Economic Structural Reform and Improvement of Iinternational Industrial Competitiveness
Article 4. The formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture shall contribute to promotion of the economic structural reform and to enhancement of the international competitiveness of industry by boosting e-commerce and other economic activities that are driven by complex information and telecommunications networks (hereinafter referred to as "e-commerce, etc."), upgrading the management efficiency and productivity of small and medium sized enterprises as well as other business enterprises, creating new businesses, and increasing employment opportunities.

Realization of Life Iimprovements in Comfort and Prosperity
Article 5. The formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture shall contribute to the Creation of a national life that evokes feelings of comfort and affluence by improving convenience in national life, promoting the diversification of lifestyles, and expanding opportunities for consumers to make independent, rational selections through distribution of high-quality, extensive information that covers the life of the people and provision of diverse services at low rates via the Internet or other complex information and telecommunications networks.

Realization of Local Communities and Improvement of Welfare of Citizens

Article 6. The formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture shall realize vital, individualized local communities and improve the welfare of local residents by activating the local economies, creating attractive employment opportunities in communities, and improving quality and convenience of the people's lives through expansion of diverse interchanges within and between communities via information and telecommunications technology.

Role Sharing Between State and Local Government and Private Sector

Article 7. In forming a complex information and telecommunications network culture, the private sector shall take the leading role in principle, while the State and local governments shall implement measures centering on the establishment of an environment where the private sector can exert its full potential, including promotion of fair competition and solution of causes that obstruct the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, such as revision of regulations.

Closure of gaps in opportunities for usage

Article 8. In forming a complex information and telecommunications network culture, it is necessary to make active efforts to correct gaps in opportunities and skills for use of information and telecommunications technology that are caused by geographical restrictions, age, physical circumstances and other factors, considering that such gaps may noticeably obstruct the smooth and uninterrupted formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture.

Dealing with new problems associated with changes in the socio-economic structure

Article 9. In forming a complex information and telecommunications network culture, it is necessary to deal precisely and actively with every new problem in employment and other areas that associated with changes in the socio-economic structure that are caused by the use of information and telecommunications technology.

Responsibilities of the State and Local Governments

Article 10. The State shall have the responsibility of formulating and implementing measures on the development of a complex information and telecommunications network culture in accordance with the basic ideas on the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture set forth in provisions from Article 3 through the preceding article (hereinafter referred to as the "basic ideas").

Article 11. Local governments shall have the responsibility of formulating and implementing autonomous measures that reflect distinctive features of the territories of the relevant local governments with regard to the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, by appropriately sharing the roles with the State.Article 12. The State and local governments shall mutually cooperate so that measures on the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture will be implemented expeditiously and thoroughly.

Legal Actions
Article 13. The government shall take legal, fiscal and other actions that are necessary for implementing measures on the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture.

Compilation and Publication of Statistics

Article 14. The government shall compile statistics concerning the complex information and telecommunications network culture and other materials that contribute to the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, and publish them as occasion arises via the Internet and through other appropriate methods.

Measures to Gain Improved Understanding of Citizens

Article 15. The government shall take necessary actions to obtain a strong understanding of the citizens regarding the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture through publicity activities.

Chapter 2.         Basic Policy Relating to the Development of Measures
Integrated Promotion of a Complex Information and Telecommunications Networks

Article 16. In formulating measures for the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, it is necessary to promote in an integrated manner further expansion of complex information and telecommunications networks, enrichment of texts, sounds, images and other information via complex information and telecommunications networks, and learning of the skills that are necessary for utilizing information and telecommunications technology, considering that these factors are all indispensable and closely interlinked.

Formation of Complex Information and Telecommunications Networks

Article 17. In implementing measures for the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, it is necessary to facilitate fair competition among telecommunications carriers and to take other required measures in order to promote the formation of the worldwide complex information and telecommunications networks that are widely available to the people at low rates.

Promotion of Education and Development of Human Resources

Article 18. In formulating measures for the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, it is necessary to promote education and learning so that all people can utilize information and telecommunications technology, and to take the required measures to develop creative human resources with expert knowledge or skills that will lay the foundations for the development of a complex information and telecommunications network culture.

Promotion of E-commerce

Article 19. In formulating measures for the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, it is necessary to review regulations, establish new general principles, appropriately protect and exploit intellectual property rights, protect consumers, and implement other measures required for the facilitation of e-commerce.

Digitization of Administration.

Article 20. In enacting measures for the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, it is necessary to implement necessary measures to actively promote a digital administration, such as expanding use of the Internet and other complex information and telecommunications networks in clerical operations of the State and local governments, in order to improve convenience for the people, as well as simplify and improve efficiency and transparency of administrative management.

Application of Information and Telecommunications Technology in the Public Sector

Article 21. In establishing measures for the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, it is necessary to implement required measures to diversify and improve the quality of public-sector services by use of information and telecommunications technology, in order to improve convenience for the people.

Providing Security of Complex Information and Telecommunications Networks

Article 22. In establishing measures for the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, it is necessary to assure security and reliability for complex information and telecommunications networks, protect personal data and implement other measures required so that people may use complex information and telecommunications networks with a sense of security.

Promotion of Research and Development

Article 23. In establishing measures for the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, it is necessary to implement measures required to promote creative research and development under close mutual cooperation between the State, local governments, universities, enterprises, etc. concerning information and telecommunications technology, considering that rapid technological innovation serves as the foundations for future development of a complex information and telecommunications network culture and as the source of higher international competitiveness of industry in Japan.

International Cooperation and Contribution

Article 24. In formulating measures on the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, it is necessary to implement measures required to make international alliances in research and development, to give technological assistance to developing nations, and to take other kinds of international cooperation actively concerning complex information and telecommunications networks as well as e-commerce and other socio-economic activities that utilize these networks, considering that complex information and telecommunications networks has spread on a global scale.

Chapter 3          Strategic Head Office for the Promotion of a Complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture (Articles 25 to 34)

Establishment

Article 25. In order to promote measures on the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture expeditiously and intensively, the Strategic Head Office for the Promotion of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture (hereinafter referred to as the "Head Office") shall be established in the Cabinet.

Operations within the jurisdiction of the Head Office.

Article 26. The Head Office shall have jurisdiction over the following operations:         (i) development of a priority policy program on the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture (hereinafter referred to as the "priority policy program"), and promotion of implementation of such plans; and (ii) besides those mentioned in the preceding item, deliberation on planning important measures on the formation of a complex information and telecommunications network culture, and the promotion of implementation of such measures.

Organization

Article 27. The Head Office shall be organized by the Director of the Strategic Head Office for the Promotion of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture, the Vice Directors of the Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture, and Members of the Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture.

Director of the Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of a Complex Information and Telecommunications Network Culture.

Article 28. The Headquarters shall be headed by a Director of the Strategic Head Office for the Promotion of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture (hereinafter referred to as the "Director"), the post of which shall be served by the Prime Minister.1. The Director shall be in charge of general coordination of the operations of the Head Office and shall direct and supervise relevant officials.

Vice Directors of the Strategic Head Office for the Promotion of a Complex Information and Telecommunications Network Culture

Article 29. Vice Directors of the Strategic Head Office for the Promotion of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture (hereinafter referred to as the "Vice Directors") shall be assigned in the Head Office, the post of which shall be served by State Ministers.2. The Vice Directors shall assist the duties of the Director.Members of the Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture.Article 30. Members of the Strategic Head Office for the Promotion of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture (hereinafter referred to as the "Members") shall be assigned in the Head Office.3. The posts of the Members shall be served by the following persons:(i) all State Ministers other than the Director and Vice Directors; and(ii) those having superior insights into the development of a complex information and telecommunications network culture who have been appointed by the Prime Minister.

Submission of Materials and Other Types of Cooperation.

Article 31. The Head Office may, if it considers it essential for implementing operations under its jurisdiction, require submission of materials, statement of views, explanations and other required cooperation from the heads of administrative organs concerned, local governments and independent administrative institutions (the independent administrative institutions set forth in Article 2(1) of the Law on General Principles Concerning Independent Administrative Institutions (Law No.103 of 1999) and the representatives of government corporations (corporations directly established by a law or corporations specially established by a special law to which the provision of Article 4 (15) of the Law on Establishment of the Ministry of Public Management, Home Affairs, Posts and Telecommunications (Law No.91 of 1999) applies).4. The Head Office may also request required cooperation from parties other than those set forth in the preceding clause, if it considers it especially necessary for implementing operations under its jurisdiction.OperationsArticle 32. Operations concerning the Head Office shall be handled within the Cabinet Secretariat and administered by the Assistant Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary under commission.Competent MinisterArticle 33. The competent Minister as set forth in the Cabinet Law (Law No.5 of 1947) for matters related to the Head Office shall be the Prime Minister.Authorization to Cabinet Orders.Article 34. Essential matters concerning the Head Office other than those set forth in this Law shall be stipulated by Cabinet Orders.

Chapter 4          Priority Policy Program Concerning Formation of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture (Article 35)

Article 35. The head office shall develop a priority policy program according to the provisions in this Chapter.
1. The following matters shall be decided within the priority policy program:(i) the basic policy concerning measures that the government should implement expeditiously and intensively on the Development of a complex information and telecommunications network culture;(ii) measures that the government should implement expeditiously and intensively to promote the formation of the world's most complex information and telecommunications; (iii) measures that the government should implement expeditiously and intensively to promote education and learning as well as to develop human resources; (iv) measures that the government should implement expeditiously and intensively to facilitate e-commerce, etc.;(v) measures that the government should implement expeditiously and intensively to promote digitization of administration and application of information and telecommunications technology in the public sector; (vi) measures that the government should implement expeditiously and intensively to assure the security and reliability of complex information and telecommunications networks; and (vii) Matters other than those stipulated in the preceding clauses that are required for the government to promote measures expeditiously and intensively on the Development of a complex information and telecommunications network culture.
2. Concrete objectives and time limits for accomplishment of these objectives shall be, in principle, decided for the measures determined within the priority policy program.
3. When the Head Office develops the priority policy program pursuant to Paragraph 1, it shall publish the plan via the Internet and other appropriate means without delay. 4. The Head Office shall investigate the accomplishment level of the objectives set forth in the provision of Paragraph 3 and publish the results via the Internet and other appropriate means in a timely manner. 5. The provision of Paragraph 4 shall be applied to changes in the priority policy program. Supplementary Provisions.Effective Date.1. This Law shall enter into force on January 6, 2001.Review.2. The Government shall review the effectiveness of this Law within three (3) years after it comes into force, and shall implement required measures based on the results.

Chapter 1	General Provisions (Articles 1 to 15)
Chapter 2	Basic Policy Relating to Development of Measures (Articles 16 to 24)
Chapter 3	Strategic Headquarters for the Promotion of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture (Articles 25 to 34)
Chapter 4	Priority Policy Program Concerning Formation of a complex Information and Telecommunications Network culture (Article 35)