 (Nikkei BP Group)
 (No.1 High-Tech News Site in Japanese)
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Gov't Economic Stimulus Package to Upgrade Telecom Network
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November 19, 1998 (TOKYO) -- The Japanese government's package of emergency
economic measures includes projects in the information and communications
field, promotion of the next-generation Internet, a program to enhance
the optical-fiber network and practical use of the intelligent transport
system (ITS).
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The government decided on a package of emergency economic measures comprising
17.9 trillion yen (US$148.8 billion) to stimulate business activities
and more than 6 trillion yen (US$49.8 billion) in tax cuts. The decision
was made during a meeting of cabinet ministers on economic measures
held Nov. 16.
On the basis of the economic package, the government will work out the
third supplementary budget plan for 1998. It will be submitted to an
extraordinary Diet session scheduled for Nov. 27.
The information and communications-related items in the projects state
that:
(1) In order to formulate the "establishment of a new nation with leading-edge
electronics technology," it is necessary to promote the next-generation
Internet plan and electronic government (electronic processing of administrative
procedures) and improve the next- generation communications network;
(2) The electronic toll collection system (ETC) must be realized in the
near future, and the world's first smart roadway and smart car should
be built by 2003.
As concerns the next-generation communications network, the government
plan states that Japan's network environment can be completely renewed
by lowering communications costs and improving the optical-fiber network
and cable TV (CATV) network, to increase the use of those networks.
And to improve social infrastructure projects including those for information
and communications, the government will set aside 5.7 trillion yen (US$47.4
billion) for general public works and 1.8 trillion yen (US$15 billion)
for non-public works projects.
(Nikkei
New Media)
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