In February 2004, the first official organization for the promotion of human-centered design was established in Japan. This is the "Human-centered Design Organization (HCD-Net)", a specified non-profit organization. The expected role of the HCD-Net is to help introduce usability into product development processes and to circulate products with high usability by actively conducting illuminative campaigns and related activities. Acknowledging the prominent significance to convey all the findings and developments achieved by researchers not only to those who design, develop and supply products and services but also to general consumers and product distributors, the organization broadly produces projects (conferences, lectures, seminars, research, consultations, evaluations/analysis, design/development support and other related activities) associated with the promotion of human-centered design for the advancement of usability. The HCD-Net was established with the objective, through all these activities, to make significant improvements in the present-day information society, and to activate economic activities and realize a society with greater flexibility and latitude, thereby contributing to the enhancement of the broader public welfare.
