The Innovation Design Initiative (IDI) was established in April 2020 as a think tank under the direct control of the president, in order to contribute to the deliberation of management and R&D policies at the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT).
The IDI collects and analyzes information on ICT research and development, policies, and industry trends in Japan and overseas. Based on the findings, it designs and proposes ICT strategies for a mid-to-long term perspective.
Furthermore, it is undertaking several pilot projects as part of strategic and organizational development initiatives.
ICT Report
Since the beginning of this century, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has entered a phase of rapid spread and advancement, now becoming the foundation of our society. Moreover, our modern society faces complex issues such as global warming and population aging, and ICT is expected to play a significant role in solving these societal challenges.
ICT Report
This report offers the latest trends and future perspectives in the research and development of the ICT field. We hope that the content of this report is utilized by policy makers in the fields of information and communications, economy, administration, and education, as well as the ICT researcher community, and contributes to the development of ICT and the realization of a safe and secure Society 5.0.
 
                          Whitepaper
                As Japan's only public research institution specializing in the
                field of ICT, NICT is engaged in support cutting-edge R&D in
                ICT.
                On this website we have published our whitepapers on the
                direction of NICT's R&D activities in major areas.
                We anticipate a wide range of readers, including governments,
                companies, universities and research institutions.
                We hope these whitepapers will help with understanding the
                importance of collaboration among various stakeholders in Japan
                and overseas, as well as the importance of R&D and other
                initiatives.
              
Beyond 5G/6G Whitepaper
                              Countries around the world are gearing up for R&D
                              on Beyond 5G/6G, the next-generation information
                              and communications infrastructure that is expected
                              to be the foundation of all industries and
                              societies in the 2030s. For the sake of
                              international competitiveness, it is important for
                              Japan to establish Beyond 5G/6G’s component
                              technologies as soon as possible.
                              In order to accelerate future Beyond 5G/6G R&D in
                              collaboration with research institutes in Japan
                              and overseas, and for achieving Beyond5G/6G by the
                              anticipated 2030, this whitepaper summarizes
                              societies and use cases that are expected to be
                              realized by the development of each technology,
                              the component technologies and R&D roadmaps
                              necessary to create them, and the direction of the
                              Institute's efforts.
                            
 
                          PDF Download
- Click here to download the white papers.
Quantum Networks Whitepaper
                              Currently, efforts are underway in Japan and
                              overseas for quantum cryptography and quantum
                              networks (the ultimate goal is the "Quantum
                              Internet"). In January 2020, the Japanese
                              government announced the "Quantum Technology
                              Innovation Strategy." As a "quantum security hub"
                              in this strategy, NICT has been promoting
                              cutting-edge R&D on quantum networks. In addition,
                              we have begun activities to create centers for
                              industry-academia-government cooperation and human
                              resource development.
                              This whitepaper looks at the "Quantum Internet" as
                              the ultimate goal, and summarizes the domestic and
                              overseas trends in quantum communications, the
                              societies and use cases which quantum networks
                              will create, and the R&D, roadmap and promotion
                              strategies that NICT will be implementing with aim
                              of realizing quantum networks.
                            
 
                          Projects
As part of strategic and organizational development initiatives, the IDI undertakes efforts such as the commercialization of research outcomes, branding strategies, and talent acquisition strategies.
PoCC
                              "Project of Co-Creation Design" (PoCC) aims to
                              produce innovations originating from NICT,
                              focusing on the practical implementation of
                              research results through various co-creation
                              process such as industry-academia-government
                              coordination.
                              Specifically, as a collaborative project, we are
                              working on three seeds: "DeepProtect," a
                              privacy-protecting federated learning technology;
                              "Sound Field Control," a directional control of
                              sound technology; and
                              "SNAP-CII," a technology that estimates the
                              concentration of aerosol atmospheric pollutants
                              from aerial images.
                              Additionally, as part of our efforts in research
                              administration talent development, we are
                              dedicated to nurturing the "NICT Research
                              Administrator" (NRA), which enhances the quality
                              of research activities and their management.
                            
Related Link
OpenACT
OpenACT (open-minded, action-oriented, enact the plan) is an initiative where NICT has incorporated marketing techniques to appeal to top talents and is implementing promotional measures with a fresh approach. Through targeted advertising on social media, dialogues between influencers and researchers, and the production of staff interview articles, we aim to enhance NICT's visibility. By collaborating with the researchers and technical experts who will shape NICT's future, we aspire to drive advancements in ICT field. Our cross-organizational team boasts a diverse range of talents who are taking the initiative.
Branding
                              Branding Design Project aims to produce new
                              branding activities of NICT for introducing its
                              uniqueness to more people of our society.
                              As one of the project activities, the project
                              promotes creating the NICT Brand Statement
                              redefining NICT's purpose. This brand statement
                              also embodies NICT's aspiration to expand the
                              potential of ICT through continuous challenges and
                              to co-create future society with its stakeholders.
                            
 
                          