rick@cs.arizona.edu (Rick Schlichting) (01/05/91)
[Dr. David Kahaner is a numerical analyst visiting Japan for two-years under the auspices of the Office of Naval Research-Asia (ONR/Asia). The following is the professional opinion of David Kahaner and in no way has the blessing of the US Government or any agency of it. All information is dated and of limited life time. This disclaimer should be noted on ANY attribution.] [Copies of previous reports written by Kahaner can be obtained from host cs.arizona.edu using anonymous FTP.] To: Distribution From: David K. Kahaner ONR Asia [kahaner@xroads.cc.u-tokyo.ac.jp] Re: Computer related program plans from MITI. (Outline) 4 Jan 1991 ABSTRACT. An overview of the directions and programs that MITI is taking to improve the computing industry in Japan. Today there are more than 320,000 multipurpose computers in Japan, and its "information industry" was at the 24 trillion Yen level last year. It is projected to be $140 trillion Yen by year 2000 (more than $1 trillion US), accounting for 20% of Japan's Gross National Product, and be the nation's largest industry. MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) wants to network all sectors of society together. They have identified four major hurdles to be overcome, as follows. (1) shortage of software specialists (2) lack of interoperability among incompatible systems (3) concentration of computers and skills in Tokyo, and sparsity elsewhere (4) computer security. A series of programs with both direct funding and tax incentives have been implemented this year (1 April 90 -- 31 March 1991) to deal with these problems. The programs are in the categories given in the outline below. In some cases I don't see much overlap between these two lists. For example, (4) computer security, does not appear at all below. Nevertheless, this gives some ideas about MITI's directions for the future. The budgets for these these areas have been specified but are complicated to describe as they can involve funds from MITI's general account and many special accounts. The latter are often given indirectly by means of quasi governmental organizations such as the Information Processing Promotion Association, Employment Promotion Corporation, etc. Below I have marked those items with '*' that seem most interesting. Some of them overlap reports that I have written. Unfortunately I do not have the time to dig through all of these programs but I will try to answer any questions that are sent to me here. (1) Strengthening software supply base in regional areas Training of regional talent. Creation of system for smooth development and supply of software. Development and distribution of multipurpose programs and databases. Promotion of use of computers in schools. Strengthening/Expansion of Sigma system * Model future info age cities such as Tokyo bay coastal districts, Kansai New International Airport districts, Osaka South Bay. HDTV local promotion. (2) Networking society and maintaining user base. * Give OSI (Open System Interconnection) the same status as JIS (Japan Industrial Standard). Use info systems to promote active participation of elderly in society. (Japan expects a 50% increase in GNP by year 2000 with a 3% drop in population.) * More human interfaces, such as graphics, analog, Japanese language. Promote networking in industry. (3) Promotion of information related technology R&D on 5th Generation Computer (prototype complete system, and trial manufacture of partial system). * Comprehensive survey of neural computers, biocomputers. * R&D on Interoperable Database Systems (multimedia, distributed) * R&D on New Function Devices to look beyond limitations of semiconductors (superlattice devices, 3D devices, biocomponents). * R&D on Superconducting Materials and Devices (high temperature, thin films). Research on New Software Structuralization Model. Development of Medical Diagnosis Support System. Basic Technology Research Promotion Center. * (4) International development of the "info age" in developing countries * Cooperative research in machine translation (Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Malay, Indonesian). * Training (Japanese technicians sent to developing countries) * CAI system implemented with Singapore (focus on advanced software writing technology, knowledge information processing technology). (5) Database development * Building major databases in Japan and dissemination outside. Building official databases (technology, patents, small/medium businesses) ---------------------END OF REPORT---------------------------------------