Japan to wire every home ... speeds up to 10,000 times faster than ...

[Dao Van <daotb@yahoo.com>]

OCT 20 1999

Japan to wire every home by year 2005

HIGH-SPEED NETWORK

By KWAN WENG KIN JAPAN CORRESPONDENT

TOKYO -- In a long overdue bid to catch up with the United States in
Internet usage, Japan has decided to wire every home to a nationwide,
high-speed optical-fibre network by the year 2005, promising major
changes to the life of Japanese consumers. 

The network, officials say, will be capable of speeds up to 10,000 times
faster than existing networks. 

It will allow video and other data-heavy applications, remote control of
home electrical appliances, shopping and other business transactions to
be carried out over the Internet. 

This ambitious plan is part of the so-called
"Millennium Project" being promoted
personally by Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi.  The project, an outline of
which was unveiled yesterday, also represents the first coordinated
national effort by Japan to narrow the lead built up by the US,
Singapore and other countries in creating an information society. 

It also includes the provision of Internet access to all public schools
in Japan by 2001 and having teachers trained to use computers in the
classroom. 

The government also plans to enable applications for government licences
to be made electronically by 2003.  A spokesman for the Prime Minister's
Office said the high-speed network project is expected to be included in
the comprehensive economic package worth over 10 trillion yen (S$159
billion) that is being put together by the government to boost Japan's
economy. 

"Internet usage in Japan is currently
hampered by slow data speeds, high telephone charges and problems with
security. 

"We want to have a network that will
solve these problems and also provide the capacity for future
applications." Meanwhile, the government has already moved to get
telecommunications companies to lower phone charges for Internet usage
by the end of this year.  The private sector has also got into the act,
forming venture companies to provide cheaper and faster Internet
services using new technology. 

Besides information technology, Mr Obuchi's Millennium Project also aims
to produce epoch-making developments in medical care for the aged as
well as in environmental protection. 

The government has set itself a target of 2004 to come up new drugs and
gene therapy cures for diseases such as dementia, cancer and high-blood
pressure. 


In addition, a mammoth survey and research project will also be
undertaken with a view to creating a new social framework that will let
more senior citizens continue to work after retirement. 

To reduce the destruction of the environment, the government plans to
introduce hybrid cars using fuel and electrical power by 2005. 


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