Records for .fr (France) will be added shortly, and other requests are pending, the organization said. IPv6 addresses are 128 bits long, compared to the 32 bits allowed by IPv4. Amongst other things, the shift should relieve the fears voiced by some of a shortage of IP addresses. By allowing every device to have an IP address, the shift also potentially offers security benefits.
ICANN begins IPv6 switch in Japan, Korea
ICANN has thrown its weight behind the shift to IPv6, in what it claims is a "significant first step" in the transition to the next generation protocol. The organization said the IPv6 AAAA records for .jp (Japan) and .kr (Korean) became visible on July 20.