The Information Economy Committee of the Industrial Structure Council (chaired by Mr. Jun Murai, Professor, Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University) compiled and released action plans on six priority areas and five cross-sectional policy challenges aiming at the creation of new industries linked to information technologies.

In the progress of digitization and networking of various products and services, existing business fields and service categories have collapsed, and a new competitive structure has appeared in the industrial fields in which information technologies and existing industries are united.

In response to such a situation, the Committee suggested the creation of “Smart Convergence”, through the unification of information technologies and existing industries, and formulated action plans for six priority areas and five cross-sectional issues to realize it.

The action plans focused on the “Leading-Edge Integrated Industries” which have potential for future growth and presented specific measures toward creation of new businesses aiming at obtaining global markets.

【Six priority areas】

1. Smart Community（IT×Energy）
2. Smart Healthcare（IT×Healthcare）
3. Robots（IT×Robot）
4. Automobile Traffic System（IT×Automobile）
5. Smart Agriculture（IT×Agriculture）
6. Contents and Creative Business（IT×Contents）

【Five cross-sectional policy challenges】

1. Security Policy for Smart Society
2. Human Resources and Education for Smart Society
3. Global Business Development by International Alliances
4. Boost Newcomers under Smart Convergence
5. Technology development and the promotion of “Big Data” utilization

As for the priority areas, the following measures will be implemented in order, with the aim of producing successful cases.

1. Launch of a “Smart Convergence Forum”
2. Support the design, development and overseas market cultivation of “Smart Convergence”
3. Supply of risk money and support for core operator development
4. Promote strategic standardization of technology and devices

• Summary of the interim report : "Strategy for Smart Convergence” (PDF:825KB)

August 11, 2011

Information Policy Division, Commerce and Information Bureau
Information Economy Division, Commerce and Information Bureau