Nomura Research Institute, Ltd., jointly with Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT)*1, a leading Chinese university in the information and communication technology field, has recently established the China and Japan Business Alliance on the Internet of Things; hereinafter referred to as "the Alliance") for the purpose of proposing and participating in Internet of Things projects to be promoted in Beijing and other Chinese cities. The Alliance will commence its full-fledged operations by hosting a seminar in Beijing today.

In China, Premier Wen Jiabao initiated the concept of "Sensing China" in August 2009, and the information and communication technology system to realize this concept is the Internet of Things. The Chinese government has indicated its commitment to developing the information network industry using the Internet of Things as one of its "Strategic Emerging Industries."

In line with this policy, regional governments (provinces and cities) are currently leading the emerging drive for Internet of Things projects, including development of research and development (R&D) bases for industrialization, invitation of related companies, commencement of demonstration experiments, and introduction of technology for businesses. In tandem with efforts in the government sector, companies involved in electronics, information systems, and broadcasting and telecommunications businesses are also beginning to make proactive moves. The Internet of Things, which has yet to be introduced in China on a full scale, is expected to be put to practical use in accordance with the growth of cities and industries in various fields, including transportation, distribution, medical services, the environment, energy, public safety, housing and agriculture.

In Japan, meanwhile, efforts to develop the ubiquitous network*2 gained momentum from early 2000, with technological development, demonstration experiments and introduction into actual business operations shifting into high gear, resulting in the accumulation of various technologies and experiences. Thus, it can be expected that both Japan and China will benefit from their partnership to share technologies and experiences in response to the push for the Internet of Things in China.

It is against this background that NRI and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications have launched the China and Japan Business Alliance on the Internet of Things in order to promote strategy planning through cooperation among Japanese and Chinese companies, universities and research institutions, step up technological exchanges and build a common base of activities for technology introduction into businesses for Internet of Things projects in China.

The Alliance will be an organization affiliated with the Beijing Information & Telecommunication Association *3. With NRI and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunication serving as the secretariat for Japan and China, respectively, the Alliance will have Japanese and Chinese companies, universities and research institutions as its members. As of January 14, NTT DOCOMO, Inc., Konica Minolta Holdings, Inc., National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Dairix Corp., Toppan Printing Co., Ltd., NEC Corp., Hitachi, Ltd. and Popic Inc. (listed in order of the Japanese syllabary) have decided to participate in the Alliance from Japan. From the Chinese side, a total of 17 entities will join the Alliance, including China Mobile Communications Corp., China Telecom Corp., China United Network Communications Group Co., Ltd. (China Unicom), ZTE Corp., Uniware Co., Ltd., Tsinghua University, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Beijing Municipal Investment Promotion Bureau.

As its activities in the immediate future, the Alliance will focus on "the proposal for the Internet of Things project being promoted by the Beijing municipal government," "the proposal for standardization of the Internet of Things" and "an exchange of views toward cooperation among Alliance members." Going forward, we plan to ask Japanese and Chinese companies, universities and research institutions that have an interest in commercialization of Internet of Things projects as well as technologies, know-how and experiences to participate in the Alliance.

*1
Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT): Founded in 1955, BUPT has 13 schools, including telecommunication engineering, electronic engineering, computer science and technology, and software engineering as well as three research institutes for networking technology, optical communications technology and sensor technology. It has an enrollment of about 28,000.
*2
Ubiquitous Network: The collective term for diversified and sophisticated information and communication networks that enables access "anytime, anywhere, by any device and by anyone," using the wired/wireless communication environment, mobile environment and digital broadcasting, etc. The Internet of Things, which focuses on connecting things to the network, is considered as part of the ubiquitous network.
*3
Beijing Information & Telecommunication Association: A trade group designed for the development of the information and telecommunications industry in Beijing and China as a whole, whose members include major companies in China's information and telecommunications sector.

[For inquiries, please contact:]

Yukako Nakayama / Yasushi Konuma
Corporate Communication Department
Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
Tel:+81-3-6270-8100
E-mail:

[For inquiries about participation, please contact:]

Taiichi Inoue / Akihiro Hayakawa / Takuya Kamei
Center for Strategic Management and Innovation
Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.
E-mail:

To List of Press Releases