The world is gripped with IT fever. Despite linguistic differences, IT, shorthand for information technology, is a buzzword even here. It is believed to hold the key to the future development of the Japanese economy. That is why Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori is leading the drive for an IT revolution.
There is a sense of crisis over Japan's lag in the global IT race. Unless the gap is closed, the nation will fall further behind not only the United States and Europe, but also fast-paced nations in Asia, such as South Korea and Singapore. Japan cannot afford to lose this race if the nation is to keep its status as an economic powerhouse.
So the inevitable question is: What should be done to make this country an Internet society? The question cannot be addressed without considering the NTT group, which holds an overwhelming position in the domestic-communications market. NTT, a veritable Goliath, stands in the way of free competition. The results of Japan's IT experiment depend largely on how the communications giant behaves in the years ahead.