Research and Development for the Future

The Mobile Society Research Institute, administered by DOCOMO, conducts research on the social and cultural implications of mobile communications. Its goal is to elucidate the positive and negative aspects of widespread mobile phone use from an independent perspective. Its findings are publicized both in Japan and overseas.

Mobile spatial statistics are statistics derived from operational data compiled in the course of providing telecommunications services that are used to build and further develop social information platform. The statistics are estimates of population distribution, movement and composition and are expected to be utilized in a variety of fields, including the public sector, academic research and industry.
DOCOMO held a research symposium with experts in the fields of law, statistics, economics, and consumer marketing to consider ways of utilizing mobile spatial statistics and their overall utility. The results of these discussions were compiled into a report.

The Mobile '11 symposium was held by the Mobile Interaction Society on March 10 and 11, 2011. Hiroyasu Yuhashi, lead researcher at the Mobile Society Research Institute, gave a special speech entitled "New Horizons in a Mobile Society Spun by Communication."
Three researchers, Chikako Wakabayashi, Tei Minan, and Kota Saito, also announced their research results.

DOCOMO is involved in surveys and research on the both positives and negatives of mobile phones. We surveyed how mobile phones are actually used by children and seniors and compiled the results into a book entitled "White Paper on Keitai-Communication 2011." (Open this content in a new window)Mobile Society Research Institute Surveys and Research 2010

DOCOMO's Mobile Society Research Institute has been involved in initiatives like information literacy education for young people and anti-spam email measures to help bring about a sound and enriching mobile society. In December 2010, the institute published the White Paper on Keitai-Communication 2011, which sheds light on the characteristics of mobile phones as an information communication medium based on communication behavior, and presents an overview of related changes taking place in society. Data from a large-scale survey conducted in connection with preparing the above report was published and a contest was held for undergraduate and graduate students on utilizing those data in a research report. Entries were solicited on one of three topics related to the mobile society—generational differences in etiquette, communications that bring people together, and people who do not own mobile phones. The aim of the contest was to foster vantage points on societal trends by their observations associated with mobile phones, the information device students are most familiar with. We received 19 submissions from individuals and groups during the submission period, which lasted from December 1, 2010 to February 7, 2011. Three reports that made it pass the primary screening were announced on March 5.

DOCOMO has established an Advisory Board made up of outside experts and realizes the board's various recommendations into business operations.
One of the particularly important areas in which we have received recommendations is mobile phone safety and security. The Advisory Board convened in August 2010 provided recommendations on initiatives to protect young people from societal problems that have occurred in association with the penetration and convenience of mobile phones. The experts on the board commended DOCOMO for initiatives such as holding Mobile Phone Safety Classes, while also suggesting the need to more proactively reach out to the public. Based on the board's valuable recommendations we intend to continue working to bring about a safe and secure mobile society.