2.2.2.2.4 Despite Low Awareness of ICANN

Awareness of ICANN among the Internet population in the region in general appears to be relatively low. During 2000, major Japanese newspapers ran fewer than 90 stories about ICANN. However, as is to be expected in a technically sophisticated country, the Japanese computer press has covered ICANN quite extensively. It can be noted that a certain "sense of remoteness" may also contribute to the low level of awareness on issues regarding the Internet (and other techno-business domains) because of a perception by many Asian consumers that such discussions are "done in the West."

The Asia and Pacific region community is lightly represented on ICANN's managing structures; this, too, may contribute to a lower awareness of the organization. 3 of 19 ICANN Directors are from the Asia and Pacific region.

The predominant characteristic of the Asia and Pacific At-Large activated members was that they were between 20-39 years of age. The proportion of domain owners to the total membership in the Asia and Pacific region is the lowest among the five regions. The Asia and Pacific At-Large activated members were professionally active in the computer software, the Internet business, and other general business.

Sources Where Asia/Australia/Pacific Region At-Large Members Learned About the Election Table 1.

Source	Number	Percentage of total
At Work	5,526	14.4%
Banner Advertisement	114	0.3%
E-mail	4,105	10.7%
Friend/Acquaintance	2,761	7.2%
Newspaper/Magazine	1,348	3.5%
Other	887	2.3%
Print Media	162	0.4%
Search Engine	291	0.8%
Website	4,682	12.2%
No Response	18,370	48.0%
Total	38,246

The Asia and Pacific was the only region where "at work" was the most commonly cited place where members had heard of ICANN's At-Large membership. The second most common answer from the region was from "a Web site," which was the most popular answer in only one other region (North America).

2.2.2.2.3 Nominating members - nationalistic competition

2.2.2.2.5 The Election Phase and Voters