Penetration of the Internet into the Japanese society

Résumé En Fr

Japan experienced a rapid penetration of the Internet from the mid-1990s. While the Internet in the Japanese social context has many aspects in common with other advanced countries, there are some phenomena quite unique to Japan. The market penetration of personal computers, drastic devaluation of telecommunication costs, and construction of the broadband access network constitute universally shared background for the growth of the Internet. Meanwhile, the role of mobile phones in Japan, for example, is different from that in American or European contexts. Our discussion consists of three main parts. First, we depict an outline of the present penetration of the Internet in the Japanese market. Second, some recent changes in economic activities are reviewed from the point of networking technology. And, lastly, some examination and speculation are given for the role of mobile phones, which might be interpreted as an aspect quite unique to the Japanese context.

La diffusion d'Internet dans la société japonaise. Le Japon a connu une diffusion rapide de l'Internet depuis le milieu des années 1990. Après avoir présenté le marché japonais, cet article présentera quelques récents changements dans des activités économiques utilisant les technologies de communication. Enfin, sera examine le rôle de la téléphonie mobile dans la diffusions d’Internet au Japon, rôle différent de celui joué en Amérique ou en Europe.