New Glocom home page

[David Farber <farber () central cis upenn edu>]

The Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM) Announces a
New Inforum Project on the Internet




   On January 12, the Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM) launches a
new set of home pages and linked documents available to the world over the
Internet.


   The effort will be coordinated by the Center's Inforum Project which
will provide documents, create discussion groups, and link partner
organizations.  The home page on the World Wide Web
(URL=http:/www.glocom.ac.jp/)  begins a broad effort to improve the quality
of materials about and from Japan over the Internet.


   "Inforum is a focused effort to provide quality information about Japan
by using the latest information technology," according to Stephen J.
Anderson, the project's director.  "The Internet is our window for building
a vision of Japan's future."


   GLOCOM is the leading Japanese research center and think tank about the
Internet and global information highway. As a combination of academic
center (daigaku hojin) and applied research institute (it collaborates with
corporate enterprises), the Center provides a unique setting in Japan.


   Because its facilities allow both theoretical and applied research
similar to MIT's applied research labs, many Japanese have difficulty
categorizing GLOCOM--the Center is unique in Japan.  But its social
scientists and network engineers give it a formidable combination of staff.


   "GLOCOM is dedicated to the applied study of a global information
civilization," says Executive Director Shumpei Kumon.  Kumon determined
last year that an applied setting was needed to compliment the academic
background of research. GLOCOM is thus a hybrid of contract think tank with
academic institute, and engages in multiple projects that will support our
continuing activities.


   Anderson states that, to reflect GLOCOM goals and vision, the objectives
of INFORUM are multiple:  to improve quality, to promote use, and to create
a resource available for access over the Internet. There are three specific
objectives: first, to improve the quality of information related to Japan;
second, to promote Internet use among Japanese organizations, and third, to
create a leading resource in Japan available on the Internet.


   The future of the Center and its Inforum project will also include
concerted efforts to extend the range of participants and to broaden the
types of discussion.  Both academics and policy intellectuals will be
invited into discussions, particularly those involved in Japan's relations
with the United States.


   "My involvement as an American scholar in a Japanese organization
related to the Internet is rather timely," says Anderson.  "After all, 20
million of the estimate 25 million Internet users are Americans."


   The immediate priorities for U.S.-Japan contacts will support the
Center's goals for creating a leading resource.  The hope is for use by a
Policy Forum among engaged intellectuals and academics in both the United
States and Japan.




For more information, contact the staff (inforum () glocom ac jp) or


Stephen J. Anderson (anderson () glocom ac jp)


Inforum Project Director
The Center for Global Communications (GLOCOM)


URL=http://www.glocom.ac.jp/
ftp site is also available at ftp.glocom.ac.jp


Fax:  (81-3) 5412-7111, Phone:  (81-3) 5411-6677
1F, 6-15-21 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106 JAPAN