Information and communications technology (ICT)

Japan's attractive ICT market

Japan's ICT market is one of the most dynamic in the world and plays a significant role in the overall Japanese economy.

• Japan boasts a solid infrastructure. This results in some of the fastest broadband connection speeds and highest Internet penetration rates in the world.
• Regulatory, public and private partnership reform has opened previously "government markets" to the private sector. This substantially improves efficiency and generates increased demand.
• The government has introduced several laws to ensure maximum continued industry growth.

An opportunity for Alberta companies lies within partnership agreements. Many Japanese companies are confronted by fierce competition. They are establishing alliances with specialized companies and investing significant sums of money to keep up with competitors abroad.

Experts watching industry trends believe that ICT fields of opportunity for foreign companies include:

• Mobile phone services
• Mobile devices for the corporate sector
• Broadband services
• Contents market
• Software market
• Electronic devices and embedded software
• Healthcare-related technology

Alberta companies seeking to be a part of this powerful ICT market will discover many advantages of doing business in Japan:

1. Japanese consumers are quick to gravitate to the latest technologies. Many ICT products around the world have originated in Japan. This market makes an ideal testing ground for new products and services, particularly for devices that will be marketable to other Asian countries.
2. Japanese technology-based companies of all sizes produce original products and services, offering multiple opportunities for Alberta ICT companies that want to partner with Japanese companies.
3. Once an innovative product is introduced and quality requirements met, Alberta companies can expect to enjoy ongoing and stable revenue from the business as well as long-term partnership loyalty.

Sources: MIC, Japan External Trade Organization, Economist Intelligence Unit, MIPRO, BSC, NEC Corporation