Agreement on Mutual Recognition between Japan and the European Community Enacted

The Agreement on Mutual Recognition between Japan and the European Community in Relation to Conformity Assessment of Specified Equipment, Japan's first bilateral mutual recognition agreement that was signed on April 4, 2001, and ratified by the Diet on June 6, 2001, was enacted on January 1, 2002. In line with the enactment of the Agreement, the Law for Implementation of the Mutual Recognition between Japan and the European Community in Relation to Conformity Assessment of Specified Equipment, regulations and administrative provisions were promulgated by November 2001, and enacted on January 1, 2002, with the purpose of ensuring implementation of the Agreement.
As described in the "whereas clause" of the Agreement, "Recognizing the significance of mutual recognition of conformity assessment procedures in facilitating market access and promoting trade between the Parties," the purpose of the Agreement is to facilitate import/export of specified equipment by allowing a Party, which utilizes the standards/certification scheme of the other Party for specified equipment, to perform conformity assessment procedures within the territory of the Party.

[Measures to be taken under the Agreement]
The Agreement consists of general provisions across sectors and Sectoral Annexes on four priority sectors (telecommunications terminal equipment and radio equipment, electrical products, chemicals, pharmaceuticals) stipulating detailed implementation procedures. The following two measures are adopted:

1. Measures concerning equipment for export from Japan to Europe
EC accepts results of conformity assessment procedures, in accordance with EC Directives ("Directive 1999/5/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 1999 on radio equipment and telecommunications terminal equipment," "Council Directive 73/23/EEC of 19 February 1973 on the harmonization of the laws of the Member States relating to electrical equipment designed for use within certain voltage limits" and "Council Directive 89/336/EEC of 3 May 1989 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to electromagnetic compatibility"), performed by designated conformity assessment bodies in Japan who are registered under the Agreement.

2. Measures concerning equipment for import from Europe to Japan
Japan accepts results of conformity assessment procedures, in accordance with Japanese laws, regulations and administrative provisions ("Telecommunications Business Law," "Radio Law," "Electrical Appliance and Material Safety Law," etc.), performed by designated conformity assessment bodies in EU who are registered under the Agreement.

---

Telecommunications Business Dispute Settlement Commission Established

On November 30, 2001, the Telecommunications Business Dispute Settlement Commission was established with the enforcement of the "Law Partially Amending the Telecommunications Business Law (Law No. 62 of 2001)."

The Telecommunications Business Dispute-settlement Commission is an independent body which conducts newly introduced mediation (assen) and reconciliation (chusai) procedures to settle disputes between telecommunications carriers fairly, simply and promptly. The Commission also makes reports whether MPHPT should issue an order or not, in response to an inquiry from MPHPT.

The Commission held its first meeting and made a decision on its operation and procedures.

For details, refer to the Japanese web site:
http://www.soumu.go.jp/s-news/2001/011130_2.html

---

Report from "Study Group on Security and Reliability of 3G Mobile Communications Systems" Released

Since June 2001, MPHPT has been holding a series of meetings of the "Study Group on Security and Reliability of Third-Generation Mobile Communications Systems (Chair: Prof. Norihisa Doi, Keio University)," in order to study measures for improving security and reliability of the third-generation (3G) mobile communications systems (IMT-2000). On December 12, 2001, the study group compiled its findings as a report and released the report.
The study group deliberated on i) measures for improving network security and reliability in response to increasing use of the high-speed Internet and ii) technical countermeasures against foreseeable threats including increases in computer virus infections, unauthorized access and unwanted/nuisance e-mails, among others.
Taking into consideration the report, MPHPT will add measures for ensuring security and reliability in mobile communications systems to the Info-Communications Safety and Reliability Standards (Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Notice No.73 of 1987).
For details refer to the Japanese web site: http://www.soumu.go.jp/s-news/2001/011212_4.html

[Outline of the report]
1. Current status of security and reliability in mobile communications systems

2. Problems concerning security and reliability in 3G mobile communications systems

3. Security/reliability measures for 3G mobile communications systems

4. Improvement of security and reliability in 3G mobile communications systems through:

1) Addition of items to the Info-Communications Safety and Reliability Standards (Guidelines)
Consider addition of the following measures to the Guidelines:
- Reserve necessary capacities of network facilities including servers.
- Develop countermeasures against unwanted e-mails.
- Ensure liaison systems concerning international roaming services between Japanese and foreign carriers.
- Carry out public awareness campaign for consumers.
- Clarify terms and conditions for server interconnection related to Internet services.

2) Promotion of R&D
It is necessary to develop the following technologies, including control functions at user terminals. When necessary, the government will carry out R&D thereon.
- Downloadable patches for simply and securely debugging terminal-side programs via radio circuit
- Anti-virus software, vaccines (for both server and terminal sides)
- Biomatrix for identifying genuine users on terminal side
- E-watermark for protection of content copyrights; Tracking functions for illegal/unauthorized copies; Realtime signature verification for stream-type content

3) Other proposals
Considering trends that roles of businesses consisting of mobile communications systems, such layers as terminals, networks, platforms, content and applications, are becoming clear, the following proposals are made:
- Diversification of application/content and filtering of unwanted e-mails are expected through original and creative ideas and innovations by the platform layer (Internet service providers: ISPs) or content/application layer. It is necessary to introduce security systems and technology based on the diversification.
- On the assumption that users consist of many occupations, it is essential that users are informed of various risks and countermeasures, including locking functions, in the case of loss of terminals.
- It is expected that Japan will contribute to international development of the 3G systems through accumulated experiences therein.
- It is important to establish an Emergency Response Team consisting of human resources through a human resource development program for security and reliability in mobile communications systems.