The cost of continuously using the Internet in Tokyo for 24 hours is nearly twice as high as that in New York, according to a survey released Friday by the Posts and Telecommunications Ministry.
The survey on price gaps between Japan and abroad in telecom services, conducted in February, found that the average monthly charge for 24-hour continuous connection was 9,330 yen in Tokyo and 5,033 yen in New York.
The ministry said it is important that Japan reduce telecom costs at a time when the nation is on the brink of a revolution in information technology.
"We will continue to promote a policy of encouraging competition," a ministry official said.
According to the survey, international telephone charges in Tokyo were on average about three times as high as those in New York.
It said the rate for the first three minutes was 162 yen for a call to New York from Tokyo at noon on a weekday, while it was only 53 yen on average when calling from New York to Tokyo.