KOKURYO:
I think there is a kind of divide between generations in Japan. Those who were over 30 in the early 80s, when processing of Japanese language became widely available, are not proficient in keyboard use. As a result, we can find the digital divide between the young and the old in Japan.

MURAKAMI:
In Japan there is clear evidence of wide variation in the Internet connection rate for different income groups and different generations. However, while there are still gaps among different groups, they are now shrinking rapidly. Internet use in Japan is currently in a rapid expansion phase, and it would be misleading to talk of the digital divide in the structural sense.

KOKURYO:
In order to help older generations who are not proficient in keyboard use, further research into friendlier man-machine interface is necessary.

MURAKAMI:
If the digital divide has to do with access to the Internet, then I am not so concerned about it within Japan. This is because Japan has seen a rapid increase in the use of Internet access methods other than regular PCs. The use of mobile telephones such as the i-mode service to access the Internet is quickly reducing the access gap in Japan.

KOKURYO:
I think Japan is facing a serious problem, that is the incompatibility of Japan's management philosophy and the Internet philosophy. As I pointed out in my article on this web site, Japanese management emphasizes integral processes while the Internet philosophy values autonomy. So Japan may be rated poorly from the international viewpoint.

MURAKAMI:
As I already mentioned, Internet use is rapidly expanding in Japan. This change is being made possible by the use of cellular phones, videogame machines, and other digital appliances. In fact, it is possible that Internet use via videogame machines is more effective than the government's scheme to promote Internet connections in the Japanese school system based on regular PCs. Digitization of CS and BS television and the use of Internet connections for car navigation systems may further contribute to Japan's strength in this field.

KOKURYO:
I agree that some strength can be found in areas where integrated systems are important. Tighter requirements in cost efficiency and space saving create necessities for more integral design. Videogames and mobile technologies are good examples of areas where Japanese skills in integrating various components are applied.

MIYAO:
I am glad that at least you have agreed on areas where Japan is strong, although you may not agree on where Japan as a whole stands now in this field.

Let me turn to the digital divide within Asia and the role of Japan. How serious do you think the digital divide is between informationally advanced countries and less developed countries in Asia? What can Japan do to help narrow the gap in Asia?

MURAKAMI:
I think the digital divide between the North and the South is a serious issue. In addition, we need to consider various gaps among advanced countries and also within each country. We should be concerned about the digital divide as a global issue, since economies of scale associated with commerce in goods, services, and contents in cyberspace cannot be fully realized if we are unable to share information in a global scale.

KOKURYO:
I would say that the digital divide issue should be discussed with regard to social classes across national boundaries and not between countries or between the North and the South. Even if there may be country differences in the IT field, Japan should think about helping itself before helping other countries. Right now, Japan lacks the competence to teach IT use to other countries.

MURAKAMI:
In my article on this web site, I make policy recommendations for the Japanese government to do something about the digital divide in Asia. My recommendations include the implementation of "eODA," and the adoption of the "Asia eGovernment Initiative," in addition to the creation of international organizations like "eOECD" or "eUN," as explained in my article.

KOKURYO:
I think at the market level, a possibility exists that Japan will develop trend-setting applications in mobile systems and in network aided product development systems. When this becomes a reality, Japan might be able to reach out to help its Asian neighbors through the market mechanism as well as by the government.