Update on the Institute for Networking Design, Tokyo
by Izumi Aizu

We have come a long way since we attended the Electronic Networking Association (ENA) conference in Washington, DC, November, 1985!

The Institute for Networking Design was founded in April, 1986 by 6 members in Tokyo. Our business goal is to promote human networking among regional, institutional, educational and business communities throughout Japan (and beyond).

Our speciality is the use of computer networks that help people communicate with each other beyond time, space, social or cultural limitations. We design software and applications for networks, consult to business and regional organizations to introduce networks, publish books and reports, write magazine articles, and organize seminars and symposia - all related to human and electronic networking.

We have been pioneering the completely new field in Japan: designing human communication using latest technologies. Our concept is that systems and technologies should serve human beings rather than the opposite, and that this systems design work should be undertaken not just by engineers in the technical fields, but also by specialists who have a real understanding of human communications.

IND Networking Projects
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COARA (Compunication of Oita Amatuer Research Association)

A regional non-profit organization hosting a public computer conferencing system. COARA is pioneering the use of computer conferencing based on a local area (about 600 miles west of Tokyo) and has become Japan's most active and well-known online community to date. We helped them to design and implement original Japanese-language conferencing system.

COMNET Sendai

Located some 300 miles north of Tokyo, Sendai is the central

W.m7f Japan. COMNET Sendai is a third-sector company established in December,1986 by Sendai City Government, Sendai Chamber of Commerce, Miyagi Prefecutral Government, local leading bank, electric power company and some 120 other major companies based in the region. COMNET is short for COMmunity NETwork, one of the first large-scale regional computer network service company backed by the local government in Japan. They started the network service in July 1987, with about 500 paid members, and are planning to install a new host system which will serve a couple of thousand members with computer conferencing, database and online transaction services. We have been consulting for marketing, design and introduction of network business.

Recruit Corporation

Japan's first intra-company communication network, 'Aishiteru I (I love you), was started last June. Recruit Corporation is one of Japan's largest information service companies. It publishes a number of recruiting and job finding magazines, real estate and tour info magazines. They are also very keen to diversify, already starting to penetrate the telecommunication market by re-selling dedicated telephone and data line networks to other companies.

'Aishiteru I' is installed to help employees communicate each other, from top to middle to bottom and vice versa, trying to improve communication efficiency inside their organization, achieve more creative environment, gather knowledge and wisdom beyond conventional organizational systems or regional barriers.

Upon the success of the first stage, the management decided to provide 500 laptop computers for ALL the managers and will expand the network this year.

AI Center Network

The AI Center is jointly established by ICOT (Institute for Computer Technology), the key organization to Japan's 5th generation computer development project, and JIPDEC, a government affiliated organization for the promotion of information processing industry.

AI Center Network links some 200-plus corporate and institutional members of the AI center, most of them are heavily involved in developing new Artificial Intelligence technology and related products.

International Multi-media Conferences

In 1986 we organized two international conferences using latest technology and networks. First was in cooperation with World Future Society's annual general meeting in New York City, connecting a number of U.S. and Japan's top economists.

The second was hosting regional communication connecting Tama River Region in Tokyo and Silicon Valley in U.S. The subject was "A week in the life." It was the first attempt to link networks and people beyond Pacific, trying to promote communication and understanding between the ordinary citizens in both countries. More than 300 People from some 10 networks in Japan and U.S. and other countries participated.

For both occasions we used computer conferencing, SSTV(Slow Scan TV), Telephone conferencing and other media such as facsimile and slides. This kind of use of multi-media network for conferencing is very new and we experienced lots of problems as well as benefits.

Networking Forum

In 1987 we organized two symposia, one in Tokyo and another one in Oita. Both centered around the application and use of networks by business and regional development as well as educational and other social purposes.

And in April, 1988, based on the success of two previous Forums, Networking Forum '88 was held with strong support from two Government agencies: MITI (Ministry of International Trade and Industry) and MPT (Ministry of Post and Telecommunications). Over 30 companies including all major network services and
computer manufacturers joined this event as exhibitors. The Forum included a 2-day symposia with three plenaries and five concurrent sessions which drew some 2,500 attendees, making this Forum the first and the biggest event of networking in Japan. Thanks to the success of the conference and exhibition, we are looking forward to having an international conference sometime next year in Japan.

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note: Institute for Networking Design
2-17-12-502 Higashi, Shibuya, Tokyo 150 JAPAN
Phone 03-797-2900 Facsimile 03-797-2988