2) Improvement of information literacy
Local residents need to have sufficient knowledge of information technology to be able to enjoy the benefits of the highly information-oriented society. Local governments should purchase information-related equipment for schools and provide seminars and educational courses in information technology.
(7) Other important perspectives
1) Privacy protection measures
With the rapid advance of information technology and the disclosure of information in the national government, local governments must take steps to protect personal data.
Better security protection will be needed when supplying information on individuals through the network.
2) Security measures
Security measures should be developed, such as a fire-wall, codes, measures to counteract computer viruses, and identification techniques.
Once disaster happens and the computer breaks down, the system will be greatly damaged. In order to avoid such a situation, dual communications routes and extra human resources should be maintained to minimize the damage.
3) Protection of intellectual property
The national government is now engaged in bringing protection of copyrights etc. into harmony with international standards. Local governments should take such trends into consideration.
When local governments entrust systems development to outside enterprises, they should take care to clarify the copyrights, etc., in the contract.
3. Regional Satellite Communications Network
The field of satellite communications used to be monopolized by the national government, but private companies have since been approved to enter the satellite communications business.
Since the latter half of the 1980s, several prefectures, such as Aomori and Toyama, have moved towards introducing a satellite communications system mainly for emergency situations. The System is expected to improve the quantity and quality of communication lines
