Growing numbers of local governments are turning to "cloud computing" to reduce administrative costs of such tasks as managing residential data, tax records and local finances.

Cloud computing, which involves mass-sharing of Internet-based software programs, is becoming attractive because it is much less expensive than perpetually buying and updating new computer systems with the latest software. Now a full-scale experiment is under way in local governments across the nation.

"As we have our regular duties during the day, the preparatory work has to be done at night," said a 29-year-old property tax official from the Nobeoka Municipal Government in Miyazaki Prefecture.