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.
In Version 2.0 released in March 2026, the content has been
comprehensively updated from Versions 1.0 and 1.1.
In addition, we have incorporated valuable advice from
experts across various fields, striving to achieve a more
comprehensive and overarching perspective.
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 two seeds:
"Sound Field Control," a directional control of
sound technology; and
"SNAP-CII," a technology that estimates the
concentration of aerosols
from sky images.
Related Link
OpenACT: Branding Design Project
The OpenACT Branding Design Project (Open-minded, Action-oriented,
Enact the Plan) promotes new initiatives to communicate the unique value of
NICT to society and help more people become familiar with our organization.
So far, the project has developed the NICT Brand Statement, which clearly
expresses our origins and purpose.
It has also leveraged digital marketing approaches to create engaging content
that highlights the excitement of research, making NICT and its people feel more
accessible and relatable.
The project is cross-organizational, bringing together a diverse group of members,
including early-career personnel. By combining their respective expertise and
perspectives, the project continues to advance innovative branding activities.
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