Plan for new information media

Press, 27 September 1983, Page 23

Plan for new information media

The Japanese Ministry of International Trade and Industry (M.1.T.1.) has mapped out a comprehensive programme to promote the practical application of new information media, such as computerised data transmission and satellite communications, according to a report this month in the “Japan Times Weekly.” The programme, one of the key policies for fiscal 1984 beginning next April, centres on the concept of “new media community,” which would link homes, administrative authorities, business corporations, factories, hospitals, stores and

others in each community with a new communications network. Plans for a “new media age” are being promoted in various quarters by the “information network system” (1.N.5.) of Nippon Telegraph and Telephone which includes a revolutionary digitalised nationwide information network covering both telephone and non-telephone communications, and the recent launching of the “Sakura 2” satellite by Japan for practical communications. A model experiment of the I.N.S. will start next year. To implement the “new

media community” concept, M.1.T.1.’s programme calls for facilitating the development of computer mainframes and software, and enactment of two computerrelated laws for protection of software and prevention of the leakage of computerised secrets of individuals and corporations, sources said.

The programme, however, threatens to cause a rivalry between governmental agencies regarding jurisdiction over the “new media” especially in the context of their forthcoming negotiations with the Finance Ministry on appropriations for the next fiscal year. Recently, Japan’s Posts and Telecommunications Ministry came up with the “Teletopia” concept as a new regional information system, while an advisory body to the Cultural Affairs Agency began to study protection of computer software.

M.1.T.1.’s programme is aimed at establishing the least expensive information

system in keeping with regional needs by combining the two-way cable television (C.A.T.V.) satellite communication and the existing telephone and wireless communications. M.1.T.1. will call upon a wide range of private enterprises to participate in the programme. M.1.T.1. has called on the Finance Ministry to double the funds needed for helping develop the fifth-generation “thinking” computer from the 2.72 billion yen (SNZI7M) in the 1983 national budget to 5.45 billion yen (?NZ34M). It called for an appropriation of 80 million yen ($NZ500,000) as initial preparatory study funds for promoting development of “model communities” employing new telecommunications systems. M.1.T.1. also called on the Japan Development Bank to extend loans of up to a billion yen (SNZ6.2SM) to private firms trying to improve their computer security-