This comprehensive analysis examines the special feature "The Expanding Digital as 'Social Infrastructure'" from the 2025 White Paper on Information and Communications published by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, focusing on the current state and future prospects of digital technology's transformation into social infrastructure.
Progress in Digital as Social Infrastructure
Expansion of Digital Domain as Social Infrastructure
- Digital technology established as social infrastructure comparable to electricity, water, and transportation
- Digitalization becoming essential in all areas of life, industry, and government
- Acceleration of digital transformation triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic
- Progress in infrastructure development toward realizing Society 5.0
Explosive Development of AI and Its Social Impact
- Rapid proliferation of generative AI and its penetration into industry and society
- Transformation brought by large language models such as ChatGPT
- Productivity improvements and creation of new business models through AI utilization
- Growing importance of AI ethics and governance
Rise of Overseas Platformers and Japan's Response
Competitive Environment in the Digital Field
- Reality of market dominance by giant platformers such as GAFA
- Current status and challenges of Japanese companies' digital competitiveness
- Cross-border data flows and issues of data sovereignty
- Platform regulation and ensuring fair competitive environment
Japan's Digital Industry Promotion Policies
- Cultivation and support measures for domestic platforms
- Building startup ecosystems
- Efforts to cultivate and secure digital talent
- Formation of digital economic zones through international cooperation
Challenges and Countermeasures Brought by Digitalization
Ensuring Reliable Digital Infrastructure
- Strengthening cybersecurity and responding to threats
- Protection of critical infrastructure and improving resilience
- Establishing privacy protection and data governance
- Promoting digital ID and trust services
New Challenges Accompanying AI Development
- Impact of AI on employment and changes in the labor market
- Algorithmic bias and ensuring fairness
- Risk of spreading false and misleading information through generative AI
- Need for building international frameworks for AI regulation
Countermeasures Against False/Misleading Information and Cybersecurity
Ensuring Information Reliability on the Internet
- Mechanisms of fake news spread and social impact
- Current status and challenges of measures by platform operators
- Importance of fact-checking and media literacy
- Balance between freedom of expression and information integrity
Improving Safety in Cyberspace
- Response systems to nation-level cyber attacks
- Supporting cybersecurity measures for SMEs
- Ensuring security of IoT devices
- Cyber crime countermeasures through international coordination
Solving Social Issues Through Digital Technology
Economic Growth and Innovation Creation
- Creating new industries and transforming existing industries through digital technology
- Transition to data-driven economy and value creation
- Sustainable growth through Green × Digital
- Digital utilization for regional economic revitalization
Regional Revitalization and Disaster Response
- Promotion of the Digital Garden City Nation concept
- Promoting regional migration through telework and workations
- Solving regional issues through smart cities
- ICT utilization for information transmission and recovery/reconstruction during disasters
The article concludes that for digital to function as true social infrastructure, it is essential not only to advance technology but also to ensure reliability and safety, establish a fair competitive environment, and realize an inclusive society where everyone can enjoy the benefits of digital technology.