Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on

I-4-1 National governmental organizations

Websites have been established to transmit information and to request and receive comments. I-4

Most national bodies in Japan, such as ministries have individual domain names, have established The Internet in the public sector and agencies, now have websites where they offer websites within the WAN Mainte- a wide range of information. The “Report on the nance Center under the “.admix.go.jp” domain Progress of Administrative Informatization,” pub- name. lished in April 1999 by the Government Informa- tion System Committee, revealed that by the end 1. Internet access to the Diet of fiscal 1998, of the 26 ministries and agencies, all A joint Diet Session Record Search system using but the Imperial Household Agency had opened the Internet was started in January 1999 on a trial websites. Also, there were 29 websites for internal basis by the two houses of Diet and the National bureaus that are part of ministries and agencies, 111 Diet Library. It enables searches to be made of the for their regional bureaus and branch offices and minutes of the main Diet sessions and the Stand- 325 for national universities and research institutes, ing Committee on the Budget, as well as public totaling 465 sites (Refer to Appendix 3). hearings, dating from January 1998. The system is At the national level, there are also the websites to be brought into regular service from January for the House of Councilors and the House of Rep- 2000. resentatives that comprise the Diet, and for the Na- The House of Councilors opened a website in tional Diet Library, the Supreme Court and the May 1998, followed by the House of Representa- Board of Audit. The Board of Audit, the Cabinet tives in April 1999. A pilot scheme is being imple- Legislation Bureau, the Fair Trade Commission and mented to provide video and audio broadcasts us- the National Personnel Authority, which do not ing the Internet (the House of Councilors actually

Table Excerpts from the “Basic Plan for Promoting Administrative Informatization” concerning their provision of administrative information via the Internet

Chapter II Provision of Administrative Information 1 Promotion of administrative IT in keeping pace with social informatization i. Provision of administrative information 1) As for administrative information provision to the public, including white papers, annual reports, survey and research reports as well as other materials, the ministries and agencies shall, by utiliz- ing the websites, improve the content of their sites and promote the posting of up-to-the-minute content. The ministries and agencies will receive complaints, opinions and requests of the public with respect to administration through the Internet. 2) As for administrative information available to the public, including white papers, annual reports, survey and research reports as well as other materials, the ministries and agencies shall promote the use of electronic methods and media such as CD-ROM and the Internet, in order to provide people with all kinds of administrative information. 5) Based upon “On Unified Specifications for a Clearing System for the Social Application of Adminis- trative Information” (approved June 18, 1996, by the Ministry Liaison Committee for the Govern- ment Information System), the Government will establish a comprehensive clearing system and individual clearing systems for each ministry and agency by the end of fiscal 1999, and improve the content of these systems and promote the posting of up-to-the-minute content. As part of the comprehensive clearing system, to enhance the benefit to the public, the Government will provide the general public with retrieval and clearing services for administrative information as provided by the ministries and agencies.

Related sites: “Report on the Progress of Administrative Informatization” (http://www.somucho.go.jp/gyoukan/kanri/990513a.htm); House of Representatives (http://www.shugiin.go.jp/); House of Councilors (http://www.sangiin.go.jp/); Library (http://www.ndl.go.jp/); Supreme Court (http://www.courts.go.jp/); Board of Audit (http:// www.jbaudit.admix.go.jp/); Cabinet Legislation Bureau (http://www.clb.admix.go.jp/); Fair Trade Commission (http:/ /www.jftc.admix.go.jp/); National Personnel Authority (http://www.jinji.admix.go.jp/); Diet Session Record Search system (http://kokkai.ndl.go.jp/)

67 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

I-4

started to provide the service from April 1999). There have also been moves to provide specific These are currently provided to the Diet itself, to information over the Internet. The Ministry of Jus- the Prime Minister’s Official Residence and to min- tice offers a “Renewal Information Mail Service” via istries and agencies, as well as being freely avail- its website, which sends information summaries able to broadcasting stations. However, the aim is upon request when the homepage information is to eventually provide the public with direct access updated, as well as a service through which Braille to the material via the Internet. files can be downloaded. The Meteorological At present, live broadcasts are available of the Agency provides a “Disaster Prevention Weather main sessions of both houses of Diet, as well as Information Service” that keeps track of changing Committee sessions, on a maximum of nine chan- weather conditions on a continually updated nels for the House of Representatives and seven weather map. The National Police Agency provides channels for the House of Councilors (the latter is information on “wanted” fugitives and suspects, set to increase to nine channels by autumn of 1999). including samples of their voices in some cases. In In addition, from June 1999, videotaped material addition, the Ministry of Labor is trying out a sys- began to be stored of sessions at the House of Coun- tem called the “Hello Work Internet Service,” by cilors, for playback by viewers at any time. which information from Hello Work centers (pub- lic employment security offices) in the 23-Cities of (Reference) The Diet Session Record Search System is part can be searched and retrieved. of the Diet Minutes of Proceedings Full-Text Database, As regards MPT, in fiscal 1999, the ministry plans jointly constructed by the House of Representatives, the House of Councilors and the National Diet Library. to use its website to disclose details of notifications or reports on telecommunications carriers’ tariffs The Internet in the public sector 2. Internet access to ministries and agencies and contract conditions, financial information, data i) Provision of administrative information on service quality and other information. This will In December 1997, the Cabinet released “Amend- form a database called the “System for Disclosure ments of the basic plan for promoting administra- about Telecommunications Services.” tive informatization,” setting out the basis for pro- ii) Requests for comments and opinions moting the use of information technology in gov- As well as by telephone or facsimile, comments ernment administration and the provision of infor- from the public can now be sent to central minis- mation via the Internet (Table). tries and agencies by e-mail (Refer to Appendix 3). By the end of fiscal 1998, most of Japan’s central In MPT’s November 1996 “Call for Opinions on In- ministries and agencies published press releases on ternet Usage,” 919 out of 926 opinions were sub- their websites, and in the case of MPT, information mitted via e-mail (99.2%), and the August 1998 is posted either on the same day as press confer- “Call for Opinions on the Report of the Study ences or within about five days afterwards. In ad- Group on the Youth and Broadcasting” received 90 dition, summaries of white papers and annual re- out of 92 opinions by e-mail (97.8%). At the Eco- ports are provided, with access also being possible nomic Planning Agency, the Director-General’s re- through a link from the Prime Minister’s website. quest for comments on the government’s emer- Furthermore, many ministries and agencies are gency economic measures was answered by 182 e- implementing a clearing system for searching gov- mails, or 53.1% of the total 343 opinions sent in. ernmental information over the Internet.

Related sites: Live Webcasts of Diet sessions in the House of Councilors (http://www.sangiin.go.jp/online/); “On amendments of the basic plan for promoting administrative informatization” (http://www.somucho.go.jp/gyoukan/kanri/kaitei9.htm); Prime Minister’s Official Residence (http://www.kantei.go.jp/); Ministry of Justice (http://www.moj.go.jp/); Meteo- rological Agency (http://www.kishou.go.jp/); National Police Agency (http://www.npa.go.jp/); Hello Work Internet Service (http://www.hellowork.go.jp/); Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (http://www.mpt.go.jp/); Economic Planning Agency (http://www.epa.go.jp/)

68 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

I-4-2 Local government (1) Usage environment

77.2% of personal computers are connected to the Internet, 9.2% of staff I-4 provided with e-mail address.

According to MPT’s 1998 “Local Government cal government use of the Internet use is lagging The Internet in the public sector Survey,” 77.2% of local government offices around behind that of central government. However, since Japan were connected to the Internet. Among pre- 66.7% of all local governments currently not con- fectural governments and government-designated nected to the Internet are planning to do so (Fig. cities, the rate was 100% (Fig. 1). However, in 74% 3), there seems to be increasing recognition that the of local governments, fewer than half their comput- Internet is valuable in administrative work. ers had Internet access (Fig. 2). In contrast, at cen- Meanwhile, only 9.2% of local governments have tral ministries and agencies, 92.6% of computers given each of their civil servants an e-mail address, were connected to the Internet through a LAN, and and about 50% of prefectural governments and there were 1.2 employees for each computer, ac- government-designated cities. This suggests that cording to the “1998 Basic Survey on Administra- e-mail still has only a tenuous hold as a communi- tive Informatization.” This illustrates how far lo- cations method among local governments (Fig. 4).

Fig. 1 Internet connection rate Fig. 2 Percentage of personal computers with Internet access Municipalities 80% to 100%: 1.8% No response: 0.9% All local governments 77.2 50% to 69%: 1.4% In areas with population of 4,999 or less 67.7 5,000 to 9,999 72.1 Not 10,000 to 49,999 79.4 connected: 50,000 to 99,999 86.1 22.0% 100,000 to 299,999 93.2

300,000 or more 97.5 49% or less: 74.0% Government-designated cities 100 Prefectural governments 100 0 20406080100 (Unit: %)

Fig. 3 Plans to connect to the Internet Fig. 4 Percentage of staff with own e-mail address No response: 2.0% Municipalities

All local governments 9.2 In areas with population of 4,999 or less 5.6 Having a concrete 5,000 to 9,999 4.9 No plan: 31.3% plan: 25.0% 10,000 to 49,999 7.8 50,000 to 99,999 16.9 100,000 to 299,999 21.1 Studying a plan: 41.7% 300,000 or more 22.5 Government-designated 55.6 cities Prefectural governments 50.0 0 102030405060 Source: “Local Government Survey,” MPT (Unit: %)

Related site: “1998 Basic Survey on Administrative Informatization” (http://www.somucho.go.jp/gyoukan/kanri/gyou9800.htm)

69 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

(2) Opening websites

The number of local government websites has expanded rapidly over the past I-4 two years, and is likely to keep growing.

According to MPT’s “Survey of Local Govern- mation (Fig. 2). ments and Public Bodies,” by the end of fiscal 1998, Most local governments and public bodies that among local governments and public bodies have websites record how often they are accessed. around Japan, 61.5% had opened Internet websites. Counting several “hits” of different pages by one This is the result of a rapid expansion over the past person as “one access,” the access rate per month two years, and by the end of fiscal 1999, over 70% averaged between 10,000 and 50,000 for most pre- of local governments are expected to have websites fectural governments and government-designated (Fig. 1). Many have been motivated to inaugurate cities (Fig. 3), and up to 500 for municipalities with sites after seeing how neighboring local authorities fewer than 5,000 inhabitants (Fig. 4). have made use of the Internet to disseminate infor-

Fig. 1 Number of local governments with Fig. 2 Reasons for opening websites websites (multiple replies possible) Websites are an appropriate and Fiscal 1995 2.1 promising medium 52.7 Many other local government have opened homepages 26.3 Fiscal 1996 16.8 Requested by governors, mayors or assemblies 22.9 Fiscal 1997 38.3 Neighboring local governments have opened websites 19.8 Fiscal 1998 Staff voluntarily created 18.8 The Internet in the public sector (estimate) 61.5 websites To reduce public relations costs 18.4 Fiscal 1999 71.5 (estimate) Requested by local residents 3.9

0 1020304050607080 Requested by the staff 3.2 (Unit: %) Notes: 1. Figures for fiscal 1995 to 1997 are as of December Others (including No response) 17.6 each year. 2. The figure for fiscal 1998 includes the number of web- 0 102030405060 sites already open in December 1998 and the number (Unit: %) planned for opening in fiscal 1998. 3. The figure for fiscal 1999 includes the fiscal 1998 fig- ure and the number of websites planned for opening in fiscal 1999.

Fig. 3 Number of visitors per month to Fig. 4 Number of visitors per month to websites of prefectural governments and websites of municipalities with government-designated cities population of 4,999 or less 10,000 or more: 1.9% No response: 2.2% 50,000 or more: 5,000 to 9,999: 2.4% 6.7% No response: 2.9% Not counted: 1,000 to 4,999: 7.7% 13.5%

Not counted: 999 or 17.8% less: 2.2% 500 to 999: 1,000 to 10,000 to 12.6% 4,999: 49,999: 99 or less: 25.1% 11.1% 42.2% 5,000 to 100 to 499: 9,999: 33.3% 17.8%

Source: “Local Governments/Public Bodies Survey,” MPT

70 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

(3) Information disclosure/transmission

Information on tourism and local products is the most common item on local government websites. I-4

According to MPT’s “Survey of Local Govern- details of news conferences, as well as information The Internet in the public sector ments and Public Bodies,” nearly all (94.5%) posted about moving to live in the area (Fig. 2; Refer to information on “tourist sites and local products” on Appendix 4). Items that are difficult to categorize, their websites (Fig. 1; Refer to Appendix 4). Other such as information on local sports teams, are also categories of information that are increasingly ac- becoming more frequently accessed (“Others” in cessed, when available, included press releases and Fig. 2).

Fig. 1 Types of information available on local authority websites (top 10 categories; multiple replies possible) Tourism/local products 94.5

Local events 89.3 Local history/outline/message from head of local government 71.0 Details of public facilities 45.4

Outline of local industries 38.8

Statistics 29.3

School/adult education 25.1

Sanitation/medical care/social welfare 24.9

Administrative initiatives/reports/blue print plans 24.3

Disaster prevention 14.8 0 20406080100 (Unit: %)

Fig. 2 Rate of access to items on local governments websites

A: Number of local governments with frequently accessed content items B: Number of local governments with such items on their websites (%)80

70 Others

60 Tourism/local products 50 Press release/news conference information Local events A/B 40 Relocation information Sanitation/medical care/social welfare 30 Local job opportunities Environmental Details of public facilities 20 preservation Statistics Outline of local industries Local history/outline/message from 10 the chief Disaster prevention School/adult education 0 0 20 40 60 80 100 Ratio of local government with such content items on their websites (%) Parliamentary Administrative initiatives/ reports/blueprint plans information Details of items such as local government expenditure Source: “Survey of Local Governments and Public Bodies,” MPT

71 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

In October 1998, Saitama Prefecture was the first were updated “once or twice a month,” and 30.1% local authority to post press releases and informa- answered “a few times a year.” Furthermore, 9.8% tion from news conferences on its website at the (mostly small, local public bodies) had not changed same time as offering it to the local press club. The the information posted on their websites since their I-4 survey revealed that 3.8% of local governments and initial creation. These figures suggest that there are public bodies now place such information on their many websites that are not being well maintained websites, with 17% of these posting the informa- (Fig. 4). tion on the network almost at the same time as giv- The survey also asked local governments for their ing it directly to the press. The majority said that views on the effects of disseminating information it was posted within three days of being offered to via their websites. In general, respondents said that the press, and the rest said it was posted within a the effect had been most noticeable in externally week at most (Fig. 3). oriented matters, such as raising the local area’s However, some local governments experience profile, providing tourist information and details problems in maintaining up-to-date information on of how to relocate businesses. The websites had websites, thus reducing the sites’ value. Accord- much less effect in improving services for local resi- ing to the “Survey of Local Governments and Pub- dents or widening their understanding of admin- lic Bodies,” 44.4% of respondents said that websites istrative processes.

Fig. 3 Time of posting news on websites after Fig. 4 Frequency of updating websites press conferences or other public announcements Almost daily: 2.8% No response: 4.3% No response: 0.7% 2 to 3 times a week: 3.1% Not updated since Once a week: 9.0% initial set-up: 9.8% About the Within a same time:

The Internet in the public sector week: 17.0% 17.0% Several times a Within 24 year: Within 3 days: hours: 30.1% A few times 36.2% 25.5% a month: 44.4%

Fig. 5 Effects of opening websites

Raised the profile of the area 51.6 Provided tourist information and details of business relocation 51.8 Improved services for local residents 24.6 Improved local residents' understanding of the administration 13.6 Improved staff understanding of IT 26.3 Improved IT skills of the staff 28.5 Others 4.3 No response 3.9 0 102030405060 (Unit: %) Source: “Survey of Local Governments and Public Bodies,” MPT

Related site: Saitama Prefecture (http://www.pref.saitama.jp/)

72 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

(4) Administrative services

Most local authorities use websites for gathering residents’ opinions, but seldom for administrative services. I-4

Local governments and public bodies have not be said that the merit of the Internet cannot be fully only been using their websites to disseminate in- used. The Internet in the public sector formation, but also to gather it. According to MPT’s Nevertheless, there are examples of local govern- “Survey of Local Governments and Public Bodies,” ments making administrative use of the Internet in 69.8% asked for online comments about their various ways. In May 1998, Mitaka City, in the To- websites, while 34.5% requested opinions on gen- kyo metropolitan area, began accepting online res- eral administrative issues. Prefectural governments ervations, confirmations and cancellations for adult and those of government-designated cities, or 11.9% education courses offered by the city. It has also of the total, have also set up methods of gathering accepted online reservations for community halls comments on specific policies via their websites since July 1998. For both services, prior registra- (Figs. 1, 2). tion is necessary, but once that is completed, reser- Meanwhile, however, a mere 1.7% of local au- vations can be made at any time. In September thorities used their websites to accept reservations 1998, Kamagaya City in Chiba Prefecture imple- of public facilities and other application procedures. mented a system that allows residents to make re- Thus, there appears to be very little use of the In- quests by e-mail for the collection of special types ternet to improve the delivery of administrative ser- of refuse at specific dates and times. The city also vices to residents. However, since there are time offers an e-mail system for arranging health checks, constraints on these administrative services, it can such as cancer screening.

Fig. 1 Information accepted via websites Fig. 2 Local governments accepting comments (multiple replies possible) on general and specific administrative issues (multiple replies possible)

52.8 Comments about the Prefectures websites 69.8 61.1 Government-designated cities 88.9 Comments on general 66.7 administrative issues 34.5 Municipalities with 300,000 47.2 or more inhabitants 27.8 Comments on 11.9 57.5 specific policies 100,000 to 299,999 30.2 Reservation of public 45.3 facilities and other 1.7 50,000 to 99,999 applications 11.3 40.5 0 10203040506070 10,000 to 49,999 (Unit: %) 8.1 20.1 5,000 to 9,999 6.4 17.4 General policies 4,999 or less 5.3 Specific policies

Source: “Survey of Local Governments and Public Bodies,” MPT 0 102030405060708090 (Unit: %)

Related sites: Kamagaya City (http://www.pref.saitama.jp/); Mitaka City Life-long Learning System (http://www.shougai.city.mitaka.tokyo.jp/)

73 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

(5) Civic participation/Information exchange

Public discussion of civic issues is now possible in online conference rooms.

I-4

With the growth of the Internet, many online the mayor as citizens’ proposals. As of February communities have formed using such means as 1999, 1,784 citizens had participated in “City Hall bulletin boards to exchange information and ideas Area” conference room activities, and, based on on a wide variety of topics (Refer to I-3-2-(1)). Ac- their discussions, the committee had submitted 20 cording to MPT’s “Survey of Local Governments proposals to the mayor. and Public Bodies,” 12.5% of respondents have websites with bulletin boards that allow free dis- 2. Gifu Prefecture cussion among local residents, and some local au- Gifu Prefecture is currently implementing a pro- thorities plan to establish systems to use such dis- gram of “Five Reforms” in the fields of government cussions in formulating policies. administration, economy, education, society and daily living. Since December 1998, the prefecture 1. Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture has used a website to gather the opinions of resi- In July 1997, Fujisawa City began a “Citizen Elec- dents and others concerning these reforms, and to tronic Conference Room Experiment” to encourage enable citizens to take part in discussions online. citizens’ participation in local government. The The electronic conference room has been named the online conference room is divided into a “City Hall “Citizens’ Prefectural Reform Conference Room” Area,” dealing with municipal matters, and a “Citi- and been opened for generally free and public dis- zens’ Area” for other exchanges between partici- cussion using their real names to all those who reg- pants. In “City Hall Area” discussions are held con- ister. Under certain rules, the participants can se- cerning civic matters, with municipal workers also lect themes for discussion concerning the reform participating to provide administrative informa- program, with the prefectural government entering tion. In principle, and under certain rules, anyone the debate when deemed necessary. The Internet in the public sector who registers can take part and information trans- In addition, Gifu has also set up a “Reform Opin- mission is free. The flow of discussion is encour- ion Box,” through which opinions and proposals aged through making earlier information readily concerning the Five Reforms can be submitted via available, thus allowing people who join in mid- e-mail, in addition to other avenues of communi- debate to participate fully. cation. To facilitate this process, as well as the elec- At suitable intervals, the results of discussions in tronic conference facility, information on the the conference room are gathered by the commit- prefecture’s government is provided on its website, tee running the experiment for eventual passing to alongside information requested by citizens.

Related sites: Fujisawa City (http://www.city.fujisawa.kanagawa.jp/); Gifu Prefecture (http://www.pref.gifu.jp/)

74 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan I-4-3 Education (1) Elementary, upper and lower secondary schools Use of the Internet is spreading from educational to administrative areas. I-4

1. Minamisuna-Higashi Elementary School 2. Isawa Junior High School (Yamanashi The Internet in the public sector (Koto City, Tokyo) Prefecture) and Yamanashi Koma High The Minamisuna-Higashi Elementary School set School up a computer room in September 1987 for educa- In fiscal 1996, Yamanashi Prefecture started a tional purposes. In November 1996, it established three-year international joint education program, access to the Internet through joining Konet Plan. the “Iowa Project,” by connecting two lower sec- In the teaching of older pupils, emphasis is placed ondary schools and three upper secondary schools on how to select information on the Internet, as well in Yamanashi Prefecture with two lower secondary as improving skills in transmitting information, in schools and three upper secondary schools in the addition to basic training on Internet usage. U.S. state of Iowa, which is a sister state to The school’s Internet-based teaching is character- Yamanashi Prefecture. At participating schools, ized by a focus on environmental education and teachers and students built computer networks con- active exchanges with other schools. In fiscal 1998, nected with the Internet and, through e-mail, they it established a system to exchange views on the began discussing methods of the project, as well as use of chemicals in rice cultivation with Nanao City what themes it should cover. Tokuda Elementary School in Ishikawa Prefecture At the beginning of the Iowa Project, Isawa Jun- and Tottori City Karo Elementary School in Tottori ior High School established a LAN linking 21 com- Prefecture. Each school set up a homepages with puters. By fiscal 1997, the school had exchanged e- a bulletin board, as well as using a teleconferenc- mail with its counterpart school in Iowa on school ing system to promote discussions. rules, uniforms, television programs, food and gun As a result of such Internet activities, children control in the U.S. Ten students who were to visit have been able to build up contacts with regions Iowa at the end of school year exchanged e-mail that have different living conditions, encouraging with host families there prior to their visit. them to develop more outward-looking and wider Isawa Junir High School is also using the Inter- viewpoints. net to support students who have “school phobia.”

Photo Minister of Posts and Telecommunications, Seiko Noda, with children at Minamisuna-Higashi Elementary School using the Internet and a TV-conferencing system

Related sites: Minamisuna-Higashi Elementary School (http://www4.justnet.ne.jp/~higashi_syo2/); Konet Plan (http://www.wnn.or.jp/wnn-s/konetplan/); Isawa Junior High School (http://www.isawa-jhs.isawa.yamanashi.jp/)

75 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

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For children who attend school but cannot enter ery student with a notebook computer for access normal classes, it has created a special room where to a news database to learn about current affairs. they can use computers to e-mail counselors and Also, in the computer rooms, there are 50 desktop browse websites. The school hopes to show that computers linked to the Internet, which students the Internet can be a catalyst in gradually helping can use freely. such students to return to the normal school rou- The schools are also conducting a pilot study in tine. using the network as a means of communicating From fiscal 1999, another participating school, between school and the home. Since November Yamanashi Prefecture Koma High School, has been 1998, 30 homes have been using “WebTV” to ac- actively using the Internet to assist in the teaching cess the Internet, enabling the publication “School of English. The school has 41 computers linked to Information” to be sent once a week by e-mail (Fig.). the network, and it plans to also open these facili- Previously, printed matter sometimes did not reach ties to local residents as part of an adult education parents, but use of the Internet ensures that such class on the Internet taught by the high school’s information reaches parents, while also promoting teachers. communications among them. Especially for par- ents with e-mail addresses, the system has been 3. Rissho Junior and Senior High Schools seen favorably as a method of bringing their child’s (Tokyo) school closer. Thus, the schools are now consider- Rissho Junior and Senior High Schools set up a ing setting up a permanent system for promoting wireless LAN in October 1996 to use the Internet e-mail communications between parents and teach- for educational purposes. The schools provide ev- ers. The Internet in the public sector

Fig. School-home communication system using the Internet

Rissho Junior and Senior High Schools Home

Home WebTV Computers in teachers' room Internet

WebTV Internet server

Home 1. E-mailing of "School Information" to homes once a week Home 2. Additional information posted on WebTV the website 3. Back issues of "School Information" posted on the website 4. Bulletin board for discussions WebTV (planned)

Related sites: Koma High School (http://www.ypec.misaka.yamanashi.jp/koma/); Rissho Junior and Senior High Schools (http://www.rissho-hs.ac.jp/)

76 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

(2) Colleges and universities

The Internet promotes home-based study. I-4

1. Tamagawa Gakuen Junior College for 2. Osaka City University Women (Tokyo) Within the university, a citizen’s course is offered The Internet in the public sector In April 1998, Tamagawa Gakuen Junior College on the Internet for a wide range of learners. The for Women began using the Internet for online Internet course started at the university from fiscal seminars in its American cultural history course. 1996, and the fourth term is currently being held. Most students taking the course use the Internet to The course allows anyone to access the course ma- access the college server from their home comput- terials freely by clicking on mouse. On the other ers and download assignments and course materi- hand, those officially registered can use e-mail for als, including images and voice data. The course Q&A with the lecturer, while attending the lectures features a virtual classroom that is used for students physically for the required number of times. They to post and discuss reports, and where assignments also have to submit three reports during the school are returned after being marked by the tutor. year, and if the lecturer evaluates them as having The reports submitted by the students are also met a certain standard, the students are qualified posted on the course-room to allow discussions for the course completion certificate. In fiscal 1998, among students concerning these reports. seven courses were offered with 379 people in 28 The associate professor who supervises the course prefectures and two foreign countries taking these has noted that its use of a seminar-type learning courses (Table). The lecturers in charge henceforth method, rather than conventional lectures, helps note that there is a further need to use the Internet’s teachers in the increasingly important task of sup- interactive and realtime characteristics. porting keen and active students.

Table Outline of Osaka City University’s “Internet Course 98”

Course title University faculty Number of registered students Accounting approach to the global Faculty of Business 41 environmental problem Libertarianism, socialism and Russia Faculty of Economics 17 On labor law — from hiring to retirement — Faculty of Law 41 Media/information/body — media theory — Faculty of Literature 53 Learning C language by utilizing UNIX Faculty of Engineering 49 Just childrearing, but nevertheless Faculty of Human Life 53 childrearing Science The Internet Computer Center 125

Source: Osaka City University

Related site: Osaka City University (http://www.osaka-cu.ac.jp/)

77 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

(3) Home-based learning

Gaining a U.S. high school diploma through home study in Japan

I-4 Use of the Internet in school, university and adult spent on learning and research via the Internet are education not only helps to bring learning to more counted to calculate credits, nearly half the students people and improve information literacy; it also “attend school” exclusively within the home set- allows unconventional content and methods to be ting. At entry, nearly 80% of the students are in- used. For people who do not readily fit into nor- experienced with computers and the Internet; how- mal educational systems, such as those who miss ever, the school provides introductory courses on out on some of their school time because of “school how to use the technology. phobia” or illness, or people who simply want to On the Internet, social sciences-type, natural sci- repeat or extend their studies, home-based learn- ences-type, mental-type, physical-type and per- ing over the Internet can prove very valuable. sonal computer-related study categories are avail- The Kaze Internet High School operates a high able; teachers, not only include the “support teach- school that offers online education at home, in an ers” but also lawyers, framers, fishing profession- unconventional format and covering any area of als and other specialists, keeping in mind the learn- interest. By obtaining credits for a certain number ers’ perspectives. While using the Internet, the of educational units, it is possible to earn the courses do not offer “virtual education”; the Inter- equivalent of a high-school diploma from a private net just is a tool offering a thread to learning, with high school in the U.S. state of Michigan. The first units being recognized as based upon individual four Japanese students obtained these diplomas in filing in a home-based learning style -- the hours March 1999. Over 150 new students are enrolled spent on learning and research on the Internet are for fiscal 1999, located in 28 prefectures as well as counted to calculate the units given out. a location overseas. In addition, information exchange among stu- The school does not have a fixed curriculum. In- dents via the Internet is available. At the special- The Internet in the public sector stead, each student’s program is individually tai- ized site on the Internet, those who wish can make lored, and contact with the teacher takes place by public their profiles, etc. or participate freely on the e-mail. For example, reading a novel can count as BBS. a credit in studying English, or visiting art galler- By becoming “acquaintances” through e-mail ex- ies can be credited in the art course. It is also pos- changes and meeting up at schooling sessions, it is sible to attend lectures in a classroom, but, since not rare that new relationships are built. units can be earned entirely online and the hours

Photo Kaze Internet High School homepage

Related site: Kaze Internet High School (http://www.kaze.gr.jp/)

78 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

I-4-4 Academic research

The Internet is used by 96.9% of research offices in Japan. I-4

According to the “Survey on the Use of the In- Concerning the effect of the Internet on their re- ternet for Academic, Scientific and Technological search, 59% of respondents said that it definitely The Internet in the public sector Research” carried out in August 1998 by the Japan influenced their work, indicating the power of the Network Information Center, 96.9% of all research network as more than simply a communication offices replied that they use the Internet and 53.9% tool. As regards dissatisfaction with the Internet, replied that it is indispensable to their work, fol- most complaints concerned problems with low lowed by 29.2% saying that it was very useful. speeds of data transmission (Fig.).

Fig. Usage of the Internet at research offices

Not using No response

Internet usage Using 96.9 2.0

1.0

Useful to some extent 1.7 No response

Necessity of Necessary Indispensable 53.9 14.2 the Internet 29.2

Not necessarily in need of 1.0

Will effect the research field involved Do not know No response

Influence of the Internet 59.0 11.9 27.1

Will not effect the research field involved 2.0 High communications cost To many things to learn4.8 Others No response

Dissatisfaction with the Internet Low line speed 41.9 9.7 5.9 3.8 27.0

Line busy 0.7 6.2 High Internet access charge No dissatisfaction

0 102030405060708090100 (Unit: %)

Source: “Survey on the Use of the Internet for Academic, Scientific and Technological Research,” Japan Network Information Center, 1998

79 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

I-4-5 Medical care/health/welfare

Services not only limited to medical information provision but also medical consultations I-4

1. Use of the Internet at medical institutions dition, it is possible to search out the region’s medi- The Internet has often been used to make special- cal institutions by name, location or specialization. ized information from people in the medical pro- Another example is the website called the “Hyogo fession widely available to patients and their fami- Childcare Information Office,” established by the lies. The National Cancer Center, which began pro- Hyogo Children’s Center and Hyogo Prefectural viding a “Cancer Information Service” on its web- Children’s Hall. The site has a “Childcare Q&A” site in December 1996, is one such case. It includes section, which offers online consultations regard- frequently updated information aimed at both ing babies and children up to high-school age. Fur- medical profession and the general public. For the thermore, there is a section for “dads and moms” general audience, in addition to advice on preven- of children who refuse to go to school or a tion and self-diagnosis, the website provides expla- “Childrearing handbook” corner listing various nations about treatment, side effects and other such systems and medical institutions. information of interest to patients. For medical practitioners, the areas covered include details of Photo Page from the Hyogo Childcare clinical trials of the latest treatments, as well as im- Information Office website ages and diagnostic information. Not only information provision but also medical consultations are available over the Internet. Such sites include ones offering respective specialist con- sultations for internal medicine, surgery, psychiat- ric and other specialties. Since there are no con-

The Internet in the public sector straints on the time or location, it is said that these sites end up with an average of two to three pa- tients per day.

2. The Internet in local government welfare programs According to MPT’s “Survey of Local Govern- ments and Public Bodies,” 24.9% of respondents offer online information on medical care, health and welfare. Five municipalities in Fukuoka Pre- fecture (Munakata City, Fukuma Town, Tsuyazaki Town, Genkai Town and Oshima Village) started offering from December 1998 a joint “Munakata Re- gional Medical Health and Welfare Insurance In- formation System (HOSYS).” Access is possible from the each municipality’s website to informa- tion collected with the help of the Munakata Re- gional Medical Center and health care offices, as well as the Munakata Medical Association. In ad-

Related sites: National Cancer Center (http://wwwinfo.ncc.go.jp/0sj/indexj.html); Munakata Regional Medical Health/Welfare Insurance Information System (HOSYS) (http://www.munakata.com/hosys/); Hyogo Childrearing Information Office (http://web.pref.hyogo.jp/kodomo/index/htm)

80 Chapter I: Impact of the Internet on Japan

I-4-6 The Internet in natural disasters

Using the Internet to create a stable source of information I-4

A system has been developed in Japan to use the Internet from Kobe. Internet as information infrastructure in emergen- This experience led to the setting up of the IAA The Internet in the public sector cies such as natural disasters. This has a number project in the WIDE (Widely Integrated Distributed of advantages. For example, since the network has Environments) project in 1995, which is studying distributed management, even if part is damaged, ways to exchange information on the wellbeing of other routes are likely to be available for transmit- victims following a disaster. A system has been ting information. Also, since information can be ac- established called the “I am alive database” (IAA- cessed at the same time by many people, the Inter- DB), to accept information from victims for post- net is superior to telephone and other communica- ing on a website where it will be publicly available. tion networks. For people who are not familiar with using a com- Immediately after the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earth- puter, information will also be accepted by phone quake of January 1995, some 300,000 telephone lines or facsimile. As ground lines might be damaged, were cut off because of the severing of lines and the satellite and other means of communication are halting of exchanges due to loss of power. More- being considered to send data to servers around over, it became very difficult to get through to the Japan, which will then share information to build stricken area by telephone, because of the high con- up a comprehensive system that can be accessed centration of attempted incoming calls from wor- by many people simultaneously. Since 1996, tests ried relatives and friends. In contrast, it was pos- have been carried out every January and Septem- sible for information to be sent worldwide over the ber to check and improve the system.

Fig. IAA-DB system

Safety information input via Satellite communications Safety information telephone/facsimile retriever

Server Line fault

Internet/ facsimile server

Safety information input via e- mail/ website Safety information Information from Internet search from all the stricken area over the country

Related site: IAA Project (http://www.iaa.wide.ad.jp/)

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