The Japan Center for Intercultural Communications was established in 1953 to introduce Japanese politics, society, culture, etc., overseas and to heighten appreciation of Japan abroad, as well as to spread awareness of international situations among the Japanese people. Through independent research and planning, JCIC has promoted timely overseas information dissemination and international cultural projects, which has resulted in various positive achievements. One such achievement is the American television project. In 1983, JCIC expanded from the previous print media to the picture, becoming the first in Japan to actively utilize American cable television. The project involved the introduction of Japanese culture and Japanese daily life to the United States via a nationwide network. Made possible through private donations, this initial project created a broad, positive response. Furthermore, in 1989 and 1990, with the joint sponsorship of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas Japanese Chambers of CommerceCJCIC planned and held "The Conference of Intercultural Communications of Japan" in major cities of the United States, Europe and Asia to promote mutual understanding between Japanese government officials and the public. More recently, the increasing investment in ASEAN nations has brought about more instances of friction with local societies due to the words and actions of Japanese abroad. JCIC has planned and held protocol seminars to avoid these types of problems by educating the Japanese people on local cultures, traditions, and manners, thereby smoothing the way for integration. Video software was published as an educational aid for these seminars in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. As one of the means by which Japanese information is to be transmitted abroad, JCIC has actively utilized multimedia, making use of not only written information but also audio and video. Since FY1985, the "International On-line Project" has been in operation. This project was renamed the "JIN Project" in FY1989, and continues today. Research such as "a Comprehensive study of Japan's method of Overseas Public Relations Activity " and "a Research of the Present of Japan's Intercultural Communication Activity" continue to be published. JCIC hopes to become an enhanced bridge between Japan and the world in order to increase mutual understanding at the global level toward the 21st century.