During the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011 the information and communication systems were extensively damaged, due to this failure their importance as a key aspect of the societal infrastructure was subsequently highlighted.
In close collaboration with Tohoku University, The National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT) established a world-leading research center named "Resilient ICT Research Center" on April 1, 2012 in Katahira Campus of Tohoku University.
The center aims to realize resilient ICT technologies and regenerate local economic activities in disaster-stricken areas by promoting collaborative research among industry, academia, and government.