Abstract: An information gathering server transmits the contents of a questionnaire to area terminals on a questionnaire start date. That area terminal which has received the contents of the questionnaire transfers the contents of the questionnaire to those portable user terminals which are located in the same area by close-range wireless communication. Each of the portable user terminals inputs an answer to the questionnaire, a name and a personal identification number and transmits them to the area terminal by close-range wireless communication. The area terminal that has received the answer information affixes a hall/area ID and a present date to the answer and transmit it to the information gathering server.