Japan and the Internet revolution

Description

Japan and the Internet Revolution presents an image of a dynamic, innovative country, seeking to adapt the most important technology of this generation - the Internet - to the realities of Japanese life. The book examines the slow and sporadic development of the Internet in Japan and chronicles the dramatic emergence of the i-mode (DoCoMo) mobile Internet. The study also considers the response of the Government of Japan to the opportunities and challenges of the Internet, and examines the development of e-commerce and national patterns of Internet use. The authors counter the image of Japan as a debt-ridden nation, lacking in innovative spirit and technological creativity and presents a portrait of a country that has developed a strong nation-centred Internet presence, with technology superbly suited to local conditions and with a government struggling to catch up to the innovations introduced by numerous Japanese companies. On a broader scale, the book argues that national values, assumptions, traditions and institutions may be a critical factor in determining which countries are most likely to capitalize on the economic, social and political potential of the Internet.