Q48The law was enacted very quickly, wasn't it?

A48 Yes. Technology and intellectual property was flowing out of Japan and being imitated overseas through illegal copying, which was creating a market of pirated copies. There was a strong sense of crisis. If Japan didn't develop a strong system to protect and nurture its intellectual property, its competitiveness and position as a technology superpower would suffer.

The Japanese government decided that a strategy was needed to ensure that Japan becomes an IT content superpower by developing a strong base for economic activity that does not focus solely on manufacturing, but also on the creation of valuable infor-
mation through technology, design, brands, music and movies.