Ubiquitous Society - Cultural Factors Driving Mobile Innovations and Adoption in Japan

摘要

Streets without names, golden silence on the subway, cables installed above-ground, experimental drive of developers and nosy customers prepare the ground for ultimate perfection. This article analyzes and describes culturally embedded usability scenarios, research activities and geographical and political frameworks of developing mobile technologies in Japan. Furthermore, decisive factors contributing to the development of a mobile and ubiquitous society in Japan are outlined. This aims at raising awareness for new starting-points of mobile innovation in Europe.