Spatial and Multivariate Analysis of Japan's Prefectural Digital Divide

This study of the digital divide within Japan utilizes data from Japan’s 47 prefectures for spatial analysis of distributions of technology utilization variables. It analyzes the spatial outliers and clusters of prefectures for the country. The paper constructs a conceptual model based on 10 dependent factors and 17 independent ones. The relationship of the independent to dependent factors is moderated by exploratory analysis of spatial patterns of technology utilization and by confirmatory analysis of correlates of technology utilization, while screening for spatial randomness. Geographical findings indicate areas of outlier high and low technology use as well as distinctive cluster patterns for the four major islands of Japan. Regression findings show the significance to technology utilization of newspaper circulation, patents registered by Japanese citizens, students and pupils per capita, household expenditures on education, farm household population (inverse), and young dependency ratio (mixed positive and negative). Practical implications are considered.