Association Guide
Greetings
Tadashi Onodera
Chairman of the Board
The Telecommunications Carriers Association was established in 1987 with the aim of contributing to the sound growth of the info-communications industry and to improved convenience for the public by providing information and conducting research relevant to the telecommunications industry, and by addressing problems faced by telecommunications carriers that possess communication facilities. At our inception the association was comprised of 16 companies, but membership has now expanded to include around 80 companies.
Over the past several years, the telecommunications industry has grown at a tremendous pace, with new technological innovations giving rise to a host of novel business models while the market for telecommunications technology has undergone significant expansion.
Japan boasts one of the world's most easily accessible and fastest broadband environments. Furthermore, leveraging the benefits of ICT is set to play an essential role in how Japan addresses a range of social issues such as the country's aging society and low birth rate; environmental issues; and creating safe and secure communities. Needless to say, there are high expectations of telecommunications carriers with regard to these challenges.
Against this backdrop, the Japanese government is pursuing the “u-Japan Policy” aiming to achieve a ubiquitous society by 2010 in which “anyone can easily access and use a network any time from anywhere and from any appliance”. Moreover, while looking ahead to the next stage, which commences with the start of the “all-digital era” in 2011, the government is also working on a vision of Japan as an ICT society and drawing up a comprehensive policy road map. For the telecommunications industry, it is essential that we answer the call to facilitate ubiquitous computing by maintaining the communications infrastructure, driving advances in the ICT industry and actively promoting innovation throughout the industry.
Consequently, with the aim of furthering growth in the telecommunications industry and providing additional value and convenience to the general public, it is the sincere hope of our organization that members do their utmost to achieve these ends through diligent cooperation and healthy rivalry.
April, 2009
