It is becoming increasingly important to strategically promote research and development (R&D) in the ICT fi eld and social implementation of the R&D results from the viewpoint of strengthening Japan’s international competitiveness.
 In this situation, the MIC is strategically promoting R&D and international standardization concerning Beyond 5G (6G), AI technology, quantum technology, space ICT and other advanced information and communication technologies that are expected to constitute the foundation of all industrial and social activities as the next-generation information and communication infrastructure. The MIC is also engaging in basic and foundational R&D concerning the world’s most advanced technologies through the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), the only Japanese public research institution specialized in the information and communication field.
 Regarding Beyond 5G (6G) in particular, in order to strengthen international competitiveness and ensure economic security, the MIC established a fund at NICT in March 2023 and is using it to promote R&D and international standardization with a view to social implementation and global developments.
 Regarding AI technology, quantum technology, and space ICT as well, the MIC is promoting initiatives to prepare datasets for enhancing the capability to develop large language models (LLMs), to realize simultaneous translation for use at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, and to create highly reliable quantum communication technology and advanced space networking technology.

 As social and economic digitization has accelerated due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the need for the development and advancement of digital infrastructure and digital solutions for social issues is growing around the world. The international situation is becoming more and more complex, with various risks, including economic security issues, emerging.
 While grasping those global trends, the MIC is promoting efforts to strengthen international competitiveness in the ICT fi eld and ensure economic security by not merely engaging in promoting R&D and international standardization regarding ICT but also by engaging in overseas development and international rule-making across various fi elds under a holistic approach.
 For example, under the Global Promotion Action Plan 2025, formulated in July 2022, the MIC is providing comprehensive support to companies, including personnel training, maintenance, and fi nance, in accordance with the stages of business development, such as discovery, proposal and development of projects, in cooperation with Fund Corporation for the Overseas Development of Japan’s ICT and Postal Services (JICT), a public-private fund, and other relevant organizations, with emphasis placed on digital infrastructure, such as 5G/Open RAN, optical undersea cables and data centers and the development of one-stop ICT solutions in the healthcare and agricultural fields.
 From the viewpoint of ensuring the safety and reliability of global digital infrastructure, the MIC, in cooperation with like-minded countries, is striving to diversify 5G suppliers by promoting Open RAN and is also increasing the resilience of optical undersea cables.

 Amid the increase of cross-border transfer of information and business services due to the globalization of social and economic activities, the MIC is holding policy consultations not only under bilateral frameworks but also under multilateral frameworks, including the G7, the G20, the United Nations, APEC, the OECD, the ITU, and the APT and is promoting international collaborative activities in the ICT fi eld, including promoting the free flow of information, realizing safe and secure cyberspace, developing high-quality ICT infrastructure, and contributing to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
 For example, regarding generative AI, which is described as a technological innovation comparable to the internet and is rapidly penetrating in the society, the risk of causing social and economic threats, such as social turmoil triggered by sophisticated fake videos and disinformation, is being pointed out. In such a situation, Japan led the discussion on international AI governance, under its G7 Presidency in 2023, and the G7 reached an agreement on the Hiroshima AI Process Comprehensive Policy Framework, the first international policy framework for advanced AI systems. This is one example where Japan made a great contribution to discussions held in the international community with the aim of realizing safe, secure, and trustworthy AI.
 Moreover, through negotiations at the WTO and Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), the MIC is working to establish a trade framework that meets the needs of Japanese industry by eliminating and relaxing foreign investment regulations in other countries, and to improve the environment for the smooth data flow.

 The Information and Communications Council conducted deliberations with an eye to a new strategy for more effectively promoting initiatives to realize Beyond 5G at an early time and strengthen international competitiveness and submitted a final report in June 2024.
 In view of changes in the circumstances, including the progress in existing initiatives by the public and private sectors in Japan, international trends concerning the independence of and technological supremacy regarding information and communication networks, structural changes in the communications industry, and the explosive spread of AI, the final report set forth the following four viewpoints, on which emphasis should be placed in various future initiatives to realize Beyond 5G: accurate understanding of changes in the industrial structure, and a game change; the creation and expansion of global ecosystems; promotion of an open approach; and change in attitudes toward social needs.
 The final report characterized projects implemented by business operators with a certain degree of resolve as “strategic products” of Japan for realizing a game change. Noting that it is essential to adopt the stance of comprehensively conducting various initiatives related to R&D, international standardization, social implementation and global developments while organically coordinating them, the final report recommended that those various initiatives should be implemented under a holistic approach.