Shuji Okuyama
Professor, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Fukushima University
Born in 1958, dropped out of a doctoral course in Waseda University’s Graduate School of Commerce in 1987 to become a full-time lecturer at the Faculty of Economics at Fukushima University of the same year, was appointed assistant professor in 1989, full professor in 2002, and assumed his current position when the faculty was reorganized in October 2004. Majored in money management accounting and deal design. Engaged in research into economic organization strategies and accounting information that supports administration, Okuyama is extremely interested in solutions (design) from the viewpoint of business (transactions) that involve people and money, not only for corporations, but also for regional areas. In further detail, he has come up with the concepts for the Odaka e-Town Taxi system, which is a new idea for a multi-purpose transportation system, small-revenue retail business and the school lunch JIT system as creative business models.
Tatsumi Shimada
Professor and Doctor (Business Administration), Faculty of Business Administration and Information, Setsunan University
Graduated from the Law Department in the Faculty of Law at Chuo University in 1961. Career includes working for the Meidansha Corporation, chief administrative guidance consultant for the Japan Productivity Center for Socio-economic Development, professor at the Yokohama College of Commerce, and professor at the Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Technology (currently the Tokyo Metropolitan University) before assuming his current position in 2002. Was a visiting researcher at University of Illinois between ’89 and ’90. Committee member on the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ Investigation Committee into Creating a e-Local Government System and on the Area Planning Round Table Committee. Author of many publications, including Local Authority Strategies for Making the Best Use of Information Technology—Aiming at Digitalized Administration (2001, Gyosei), Local Authority Outsourcing Strategies—Government Administration through Collaboration (2000, Gyosei), and Local Authority Information Security (2006, Gakuyo Shobo).
Kunio Shinmen
Consultant in high-level information digitalization for Okuyama Prefecture
Started work at the Okuyama Prefectural Hall in 1971 and has been involved in the development and administration of a data processing system, and the promotion of digitalizing regional information. Accumulated much experience as the chairman for the LGWAN Administration Committee, a committee member for the Think Tank for Promoting the Digitalization of Central and Regional Government Administration, and a member of a committee examining the best methods of creating a e-Local Government system. Assumed his current position in April 2005. Currently the standing director of Okayama Cyuou Sougou Jyouhoukousya, a member of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications’ Digitalized Administration Promotion Committee, IT adviser for the Local Authorities Systems Development Center, and deputy chairman of the Local Government Measure of Security Support Forum.
Toshio Totani
Deputy Director of the Kansai Information Innovation Conference
Started work at the Habikino City Hall in 1965. Experience includes manager of the City Hall’s Information System Section, manager of the Secretarial Office (in charge of administrative production) and joint manager of the Office for Promoting Administrative Reforms in the Planning and Finance Division until retiring from the Habikino City Hall. Currently involved in a wide range of affairs, including the Local Authorities Systems Development Center (member of the Research Committee and an advisor for promoting administrative IT,) the New Media Development Association (member of the Committee for Studying Intellectual Property,) the Japan Society for Socio-Information Studies (director,) NICCS Study Group (special supporting member), Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (Research Committee Member), Institute for the Promotion of a Non Profit Organization Network (director), the Kansai Information Innovation Conference (deputy director), the Data Infrastructure Promoting Association (steward,) the Nippon Omni-Management Association (lecturer,) and others.
Mariko Mikami
Journalist and Lecturer at the Institute of Innovation Management, Graduate School of Shinshu University
Graduated from the Faculty of Environment and Information Studies at Keio University. Studies and reports on information related to personnel, organizations, accounting, financial affairs, M & A, new industries and market creation, etc., both at home and overseas. An article published by her was selected as one of the representative essays published in Japan by the Foreign Press Center in a domestic discussion paper, and a discussion paper organized by an American magazine listed an article by her as reference material for a World Bank Policy Research Working Paper. A researcher for a National Institute of Informatics project between 2004 and 2006. Main newscaster on an NHK business program entitled “Business Miraijin” from April 2005 reporting on the vitalization of regional economies. Published works include Financial Status of Megabanks (Kadokawa Shoten, 2003), Parasite Middle (NTT Publishing, 2005), and Human Resources Management in Mergers (Shoeisha, 2002).
