Japan's relatively slow Internet uptake has finally picked up some speed, with more than half the country's public schools now connected to the Internet. The figure rose from 35.6 per cent to 54.7 per cent in just a year.

The education, science and technology ministry expects all public schools to have Internet access by March 2002.

However, the growth has sparked concerns about irresponsible use of the Net in schools. Some education boards have instructed schools to install computers with software that filters content.

The Tokyo metropolitan board of education says there is a need to educate students on "information morals", dealing with their safety and privacy, as well as the pitfalls of copyright violations and plagiarism.