As we entered the 21st century, the trend for IT revolution has gained momentum on a global scale. The use of information and telecommunications technologies allows us to carry out transactions of dense information much easier than ever. As a consequence, the society is rapidly transforming into a knowledge-oriented one, where information and knowledge function as a source of value added.

In Japan, various initiatives have been undertaken to facilitate the IT revolution. In the fast-growing mobile communications sector, an early realization of a state-of-the-art mobile IT,including ultra fast-speed, seamless mobile services, and sophisticated mobile applications such as mobile commerce that combines mobile technologies with electronic commerce, is strongly awaited.

In particular, the fourth-generation mobile communications systems, which create an ultra fast-speed mobile Internet environment and enables seamless communications services, hold the key to realize a worldﾕs leading mobile IT environment at an early date. To achieve this goal, it is strongly required to promote research and development activities capitalizing on technologies and knowledge accumulated in various areas, while actively participating in the world's standardization activities at the same time.

As represented by mobile commerce, mobile technologies can contribute to creating new businesses and markets when they are employed by various other industries. Mobile technologies are also highly expected to help make peopleﾕs life richer and more convenient. To create such an environment at the earliest possible time, it is important to involve the representatives not only from the information and telecommunications sectors but also from a wide range of other fields, and forge a collaborative relationship among them.

To facilitate the R&D and standardization of Future Mobile Communication Systems and Services, including the fourth-generation mobile communications systems and mobile commerce,etc., in a smooth and efficient manner, it is indispensable for the concerned parties to work closely with one another, so that they can share information, and promote R&D and standardization activities.

To realize the aforesaid objectives, the mobile IT Forum was established, with a goal to facilitate the R&D and standardization activities from a comprehensive perspective, so as to contribute to transforming Japan into a leading Mobile IT nation.