JPNIC Translated Document Source document: JPNIC REPORT 2 Date of the source: October 1993 Date of the last update of this translation: October 28, 1995 This is a translation of a JPNIC document. JPNIC provides this translation for convenience of those who can not read Japanese. But it may contain mis-translations, and is by no means official. One should consult the source document written in Japanese for detail. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Domain name allocation What is a Domain name? In Internet, names like "AAA.BB.JP" separated by period are used to express domain name for organizations. This domain name is a part of an electronic mail address and it has to be unique for all the organizations. Here the domain name after the last period (known as first level or top level (*1)) represents the country code (JP for Japan) as decided in ISO 3166 (*2). In case of Japan, considering JP as the top level, the domain name allocation group of JPNIC allocates domain name up to the third level (from now on it will be referred as JP domain name). (*1) Domain names are read from left to right, i.e the one after the last period is referred as level 1, the one next to it as level 2 and the next one as level 3 domain name and so on. (*2) In case of America there are exceptions like edu, com etc. But in most of the cases they have been used before the code was decided and they are kept the same because of historical reasons. The present condition and structure of JP domain The second level of JP domain represents the attribute of an organization by a two letter code (AC = academic, CO = commercial, GO = government, OR = organization, AD = administration (*3)), and the third level represents the organization name (known as domain name for organization). At present, JPNIC allocates one domain name per organization except for the exceptions (*4) that are approved by JPNIC. The number of JP domain name as of September 1st, 1993 is given in table 1. JPNIC allocates, updates or deletes 30 to 40 domain names per month and this task tends to increase per month. Table 1. Nomber of allocated JP domain name +-----------+------------------+------------------+ | Attribute | No. of allocated | No. of domain | | | domain | (Not connected) | +-----------+------------------+------------------+ | AC | 312 | 63 | | CO | 676 | 177 | | GO | 77 | 12 | | OR | 77 | 17 | | AD | 25 | 5 | | JP | 3 | 0 | +-----------+------------------+------------------+ | Total | 1170 | 274 | +-----------+------------------+------------------+ (*3) Due to historical reasons, there are three organizations where the second level is a organization domain name. (*4) The cases where an organization needs more than one domain name for administrating, operating different network services or the case where it is necessary to change a domain name, are approved by JPNIC as exceptions. Future of JP domain name Allocation for individuals Recently there is an increasing demand for achieving domain name as an individual. According to the previous regulations only corporations and organizations could obtain a domain name. But from June 1, 1993 the following provisions are provided for individuals. 1. Widening the scope of attribute OR If there is an application from an Internet service provider for allocating an OR domain name which is below the 4th level, then the allocation is granted. With the help of this service, individuals can avail domain name like myname.xxx.or.jp from the networks (for example xxx.or.jp) that provide services to individuals. 2. Widening the scope of attribute CO Projects owned by individuals are treated the same as enterprises and they are allowed to have domain names with CO attribute. However, JPNIC is considering this problem along with the introduction of Geographic Domain name and at present only registered enterprises can avail this. JPNIC is also investigating in the direction of widening the scope for an individual for selecting individual domain name by introducing Geographic Domain system which is to be discussed next. Introduction of Geographic Domain If only the present Domain name system is put in to practice, then for example if all the middle schools that are there in the whole continent join the Internet, then the number of domain name with AC attribute will become enormous. For this, not only the number gets large, but also the name will become long because it is necessary to assign unique domain name to each organization and if there already exists a domain name that is being applied then the possibility of alternation is fairly high. Geographic Domain system is introduced to avoid these kind of problems. As the name itself indicates, Geographic Domain name represents geographic name as domain name and this system is already introduced in countries like America. At present JPNIC is investigating in the direction of assigning the fourth level domain name by representing the second level as the name of the prefecture and the third level as the name of the city. If this system is introduced, then the organizations (organizations of a prefecture or city, elementary school, middle school) that are there in a specific prefecture or city can be treated in a different way then the present attribute. This system not only deals with organizations but also the inhabitants of that prefecture/city and individuals who are engaged in business. At present JPNIC is investigating the concrete problems like what would be the name of the second and third level, whether there is any problem with the name server that is to handle the domain name, and it is trying to realize the Geographic Domain system as soon as possible. How to obtain the related documents Regulations related to domain name allocation, rules for obtaining, modifying deleting domain names and several other information can be obtained by sending an empty e-mail to info@domain.nic.ad.jp. If e-mail service is not available then please contact the JPNIC secretariat, it will send the documents by post. Although, at present the following documents are send back to the mailer, because of the introduction of Geographic Domain, they are to be modified in the near future. o JP domain name allocation (as of June 1, 1993) Definition of JP domain name, important matters related to the whole application procedure is documented. o Application for a Fresh JP domain name (as of June 1, 1993) This is an application form for a fresh JP domain name. Important matters related to a fresh application and the hints for filling out the same is documented. o Application related to JP domain name modification (as of June 1, 1993) This is an application form for JP domain name modification. Important matters related to an application for modification and the hints for filling out the same is documented. o Application for the abolition of domain name (as of June 1, 1993) This is an application form for the abolition of a domain name. Important matters related to an application for abolition and the hints for filling out the same is documented. o A guide for selecting domain name for organization (as of February 1, 1993) A document for deciding the domain name of organizations while applying for a fresh domain name. Application for JP domain name There are three kinds of applications and they are application for a fresh domain name, application for a modification and application for a deletion and in all of the cases JPNIC accepts the application either by e-mail or by post (*5). If the submitted documents are not incomplete, then they are processed within ten days from the date of arrival of the documents to JPNIC, and a reply is send back to the applicant (or to the intermediary). In case of a fresh application, a new domain is allocated and the same is registered in the JPNIC database. However, it should be noted that if the allotted domain name is not registered in the name server within one year then it is considered to be not in use and it will become invalid (*6). For all of the applications, the format of the application form might change. In order to cooperate with the automatic processing of the documents, applicants are here by requested to obtain the latest document by the above mentioned method prior to their applications. (*5) For reducing the work load of the secretariat, in case the e-mail service is not available, the applicant is requested to look for an intermediary who has an access to e-mail. (*6) As soon as the new domain gets connected to the network, if the same is not registered to the JPNIC name server, then e-mail will not reach. For details, please refer to the document, "Procedures for setting up the name server" which can be obtained from info@dns.nic.ad.jp and the document "JPNIC registration form" which can be obtained from info@db.nic.ad.jp. JPNIC contact o The postal address for obtaining applications, documents is as follows. Japan Network Information Center c/o Computer Centre, University of Tokyo 2-11-16, Yayoi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113 Japan Please make sure to enclose a self-addressed envelope with adequate postage stamps, and write [Domain name application] etc. on the front of the envelope. o Address for queries by e-mail Address for retrieving documents: info@domain.nic.ad.jp Address for sending application forms related to domain name: apply@domain.nic.ad.jp Recently the application for JP domain name has increased enormously and it indicates the growth of the Internet. As a result, the number of people who have an access to e-mail is also increasing and this can be thought as a remarkable change. JPNIC is going to work in the direction of constructing a system which will speed up the allocation procedure, investigate new systems such as Geographic Domain etc. and to arrange useful documents. Therefore, please send your comments and suggestions to JPNIC. (Kazue Kamiyama, Science University of Tokyo)