how many persons that use internet in japan? [Archive]

Doug M

May 29th, 2005, 01:53 PM

Welcome Sam:

Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs & Communications (http://www.soumu.go.jp/english/) publishes a report with this information. See the most recent I could find at http://www.soumu.go.jp/joho_tsusin/eng/Resources/AR2002/ar2002.pdf and look at page 52. Because the information changes so quickly, I think this report is outdated but worth a look. They report 47 million users in 2000. They really should have more current data somewhere.

Not long ago I found a great article about internet use in Japan, especialy broadband use. Most people would probably assume the United States to be the world leader in broadband internet access, not so apparently. David S. Isenberg is the author of the article appearing in Von Magazine which I recommend you read. Below is an excerpt from his excellent study:
Today, Japan’s blistering broadband growth continues. The most recent report from Japan’s MPHPT, the national telecom regulator, shows that in the year ending June 2004, Japan gained 5.2 million new DSL, cable modem and FTTH customers, for 15.6 million total customers. Today 100Mbps FTTH is Japan’s fastest growing service–with 1.4 million customers in June 2004–and Japan’s DSL typically runs at ten times US rates. In raw numbers, Japan has less than half as many people as the US (126 million vs. 275 million), yet it has six broadband customers for every ten in the U.S. (14 million vs. 27 million). Complete article at: http://www.vonmag.com/issue/2004/sepoct/columns/isenberg.htm

If you depend on this information for business then consider finding a business report on this subject. These do cost money but contain greater detail and more current information than you can find on the web in most cases. One example is here http://www.budde.com.au/Reports%5CContents/Japan-Internet-3080.html. Another good source of reports for doing business in Japan is Eurotechnology at http://www.eurotechnology.com/store/index.html