October 3, 2006

Results of "11th Japan-Germany Regular Bilateral Consultation" and the i2010 conference, "Towards a Ubiquitous European Information Society"

On September 25 and 26, 2006, MIC and the Bundesministeriums fr Wirtschaft und Technologie (BMWi: the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology) held the "11th Japan-Germany Regular Bilateral Consultation" in Munich, Germany, for exchanging a wide range of information as well as opinions on the current status and policy matters related thereto concerning ICT/postal services in the two countries.
On September 28, 2006, the i2010* conference, "Towards a Ubiquitous European Information Society" was held in Espoo, Finland, arranged jointly by the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications, the European Commission and the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA) for deliberating upon efforts to realize a ubiquitous information society.
   *Note: i2010: the "i2010 - A European Information Society for Growth and Employment" strategy
At the Conference, MIC officials lectured on Japanese efforts to realize a ubiquitous network society.

1. Participants
[Japanese side]

Mr. SHIMIZU Hideo, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination (International Affairs), MIC; and other officials
[German side]
Mr. Gerold REICHLE, Director General, Information and Communication Technology, Media and Posts, Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology(BMWi)
[Outline of results]
i1) Trends in telecommunications markets and pro-competitive policies
The two countries exchanged opinions on pro-competitive policies meeting the deployment of broadband platforms in both countries, including trends in telecommunications markets, the "New Competition Promotion Program 2010" of Japan and the "Information Society Germany 2020" of Germany. Both sides recognized that the two nations share the same challenges, and agreed to exchange information in close cooperation from now on.
ii2) Challenges for safe and secure ICT use
Both sides i1) exchanged opinions on countermeasures against unsolicited e-mails and efforts to realize safe and secure ICT use, ii2) recognized that international collaboration is vital to addressing the globalization of challenges in said field, and iii3) agreed that the two countries shall deliberate upon feasible collaborations between Japan and Germany.
iii3) International collaboration in the ICT field
The two countries i1) exchanged opinions on the Internet governance in line with the outputs from the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), and ii2) agreed that Japan and Germany shall continue exchanging opinions within bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
iv4) Perspectives of postal services
Both sides i1) exchanged opinions on trends in the postal markets and future postal policies, ii2) recognized that the two nations are facing the same challenges, and iii3) agreed that Japan and Germany shall continue exchanging opinions, including those concerning the activities at the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

2. i2010 conference, 典owards a Ubiquitous European Information Society
[Organizers]

The Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications, the European Commission and the European Network and Information Security Agency (ENISA)
[Attendants]
Ms. Viviane REDING, European Commissioner for Information Society and Media; Mrs. Susanna HUOVINEN, Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications; Mr. Jorma OLLILA, Chairman and CEO of Nokia Corp.; Mr. Didier LOMBARD, Pr駸ident Directeur general, France T駘馗om; and other EU government officials and executives from European ICT enterprises.
From Japan, Mr. SHIMIZU Hideo, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination (International Affairs), MIC; Mr. AKIKUSA Naoyuki, CEO, Fujitsu Ltd. and others attended the Conference.

[Outline]
At the Conference, opinions on challenges and efforts toward the ubiquitous information society in Europe were exchanged among decision-makers and leading experts from academia, industry and governments.
Vice-Minister SHIMIZU gave a lecture on Japan's efforts focusing on the "u-Japan Policy Package" and the "Roadmap Program Concerning Reforms of Communications and Broadcasting."
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International Policy Division,
International Affairs Department
Telecommunications Bureau, MIC
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