Economic disparities among regions in Japan and the problem of the spread of information and communication equipment in the countryside

Abstract

Japan’s government believed that the development of ICT networks and penetration of information and communications equipment in the countryside reduce the economic and population disparities among regions. Since the latter half of the 90s, some local governments built "intelligent facilities" equipped with ICT network so as to foster the information and communications industry in their area as part of regional "informatization policy". However, "intelligent buildings" failed to attract information and communication companies, economic disparities among regions are in fact widening, while the macro economy is recovering and expanding. Main points are the contents of the regional informatization policy and the effect on the development of ICT networks and the information and communication industry. As "economy of concentration" works more in the information and communications economy, the development of ICT networks and related industries would concentrate economic power in urban areas. At present, it is essential for the regional informatization policy to develop information and telecommunications infrastructure that addresses the needs of residents who lack access to information, and to implement careful information literacy education for residents.