Abstract
Information technology (IT) is an important social infrastructure, and one of Japan's strong points. The "e-Japan" strategy established in 2001 resulted in a very favorable circumstance for IT development, particularly for the fusion of broadcasting and telecommunication. The author proposes establishment of "IT test beds" as a facility for research and data collection for commercialization and standardization of new products. Such IT testbeds, integrated in a network and connected to research centers in other countries, should serve Japanese contribution to the world as well as introduction of novel research topics.
