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Current Activities by the Ministry of Internal affairs and Communications of Japan to deploy IPv6
1. From e-Japan to u-JapanJapan has been putting emphasis on the development of Information and Communications Technology through the united efforts of government and industry, based on the "e-Japan Strategy," which was formulated in 2001 by IT Strategy Headquarters (Chair: the Prime Minister) within the Cabinet, with the aim of making Japan the world's leading nation in the ICT field by the year 2005. The e-Japan Strategy involves not only the support of an advanced Internet infrastructure, but also the promotion of a transition to the IPv6 Internet. As a result of policies that encourage competition and active participation by many new companies, we are seeing deployment of both DSL and FTTH networks, communications charges have been reduced to levels not seen in other countries, and, at the same time, traffic speed is faster than anywhere else. As the next step in the e-Japan Strategy, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been aiming to establish a next-generation ICT society, referred to as "u-Japan." "u" has several meanings: "Ubiquitous," "Universal," "User-oriented" and "Unique." u-Japan means all information equipment is connected to a broadband network, and in the next-generation ICT society anyone will be able to access the network anytime, anywhere, without being aware of the network's existence. IPv6, which has a huge address space and enhanced security functions, is one of the core technologies for the realization of u-Japan, in which a variety of equipment, including information appliances other than personal computers, will always be connected and safely controlled via the network.
2. Government Initiatives to Promote the Deployment of IPv6The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been promoting the deployment of IPv6, in cooperation with the private sector and foreign countries, centering on promoting the migration to IPv6 and R&D on IPv6 applications.
Until FY2004, the experiments were focused on solving problems with the migration to IPv6 for home users, industrial users, regional public agencies, etc., and with formulating a model for smooth migration to IPv6. The results obtained during these experiments have been made public on the Website: http://www.v6trans.jp/en/index.html. In FY2005, based on the results obtained so far, we are planning to conduct experiments in cooperation with local regional governments in the Tokyo Metropolis area on the most effective use of IPv6 features such as the facilities management system, with the aim of obtaining verified results that will help create attractive services with IPv6 technologies. (2) Cutting Edge Research and Development Test Bed Network The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) has set up cutting edge test bed networks known as the Japan Gigabit Network (JGNII), and is promoting research and development, verification tests, etc., on advanced information technology such as IPv6 (http://www.jgn.nict.go.jp/e/index.html). (3) Cooperation with the Private Sector In Japan, the "IPv6 Promotion Council" was set up in 2000. At present it has about 370 corporate, organizational and individual members. The Council undertakes verification testing relevant to IPv6 technology, investigates strategies for creating new markets for IPv6, promotes cooperation with a variety of organizations, and holds relevant seminars, etc. (http://www.v6pc.jp/en/index.html). The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications liaises with this Council and cooperates in order to promote the deployment of IPv6. (4) Liaison with Foreign Countries (a) Liaison between Japan, China and South Korea In accordance with an agreement between the ICT Ministries of China, Japan and South Korea, a "Next - Generation Internet (IPv6) Working Group" aimed at the deployment of IPv6 was established, and the first meeting was held in March 2004. At the second meeting of the Working Group, held in Japan in November 2004, agreement was reached on the following points:
The next Working Group meeting will be held in China in 2005. (b) Activities in ICANN GAC The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications participates in the activities of ICANN as a member of the GAC (Governmental Advisory Committee), and has contributed in the position of Chairman of Working Group 6 (IPv6). (c) Japan's Contribution to the IPv6-Ready Logo Program The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications cooperated to create interconnection test scenarios for the IPv6-Ready Logo Program, which is an international effort to verify compatibility with IPv6 specifications, thus contributing to the worldwide migration to IPv6 (http://cf.v6pc.jp/ ). 3. The Current State of Deployment of IPv6 in Japan, and Future ProspectsIn Japan, commercial ISP services with IPv6 are being started, one after another. IPv6 equipment such as office automation equipment, video telephones and network cameras is already being sold. Thus, the groundwork for the full scale deployment of IPv6 is steadily being prepared. In addition, in accordance with the e-Government Construction Plan (which was revised in June of 2004), all of the branches of the Japanese Government have been advised to prepare for the introduction of IPv6. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, in cooperation with the
private sector and foreign countries, will continue to promote the deployment of
IPv6, in order to establish an ICT society that is widely accepted.
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