Japan Computer Access Network

Japan Computer Access Network (JCA-NET) is a Tokyo-based group that aims at empowering citizen's activities through the Internet "for peace, social & environmental justice and human dignity".

Deswcription

It is a member of the Association for Progressive Communications. JCA-NET aims to provide networking tools for NGOs and social movements, working closely with the Asialink, which is an Asia-wide NGO information and e-mail networks.

It calls itself an "Internet provider for development by people". This internet service was created for people wishing to publicise their activities, and know of other people's movements and activities across the globe. JCA-NET's main objective is to play the role of a "non-profit Internet provider that internationally links the information released by people and NGOs." It works to take technologies like electronic conference rooms, mailing lists and home pages to the alternate, development and campaign sectors.

Its sister-organisation is called the Tokyo-based Japan Computer Access For Empowerment (JCAFE). JCAFE's agenda is to "fill the gap" between the potential the net offers, and the blocks to accessing it—specially by NGOs who lack the technology and skills to take advantage of this exciting new medium.

"We have 100 members, and support 400 NGOs in Japan. Our office is located in the central area of Tokyo and several people visit us a day," Hamada 'Taratta' Tadahisa said in an interview with the Association for Progressive Communications.

External links

• Japan Computer Access Network
• JCA-NET English pages