As we enter the twenty-first century, services and products using the Internet, cell phones, and other information and telecommunications technologies (IT) have become firmly established as indispensable, everyday parts of daily life in Japan. In addition, Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) are starting to take root as a part of life and society. The number of vehicles equipped with car navigation systems has risen past 15 million as these systems are becoming standard automotive equipment, and over 3 million vehicles are now equipped with Electronic Toll Collection System (ETC) devices.

Studies are moving ahead concerning the content of services that can be provided through ITS, and some pioneering services are already being realized, affording greater convenience to users. In the future, as individual services are linked or combined and as more users are added, ITS will enter a second stage in which it will become a deeply integrated part of life and culture in Japan, leading to changes in society.

Smartway Project Advisory Committee announced a recommendation toward a full-scale ITS society that will be realized in 2007.

• The 4th "Smartway Project Advisory Committee" (2000.12.27)
• The 3rd "Smartway Project Advisory Committee" (1999.6.16)