“The G7 Digital and Tech Ministers’ Meeting in Takasaki, Gunma” will be held on April 29th and 30th this year.

The world has been facing a host of challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change issues, and crises with energy supplies and global supply chains following Russia's aggression against Ukraine. In order to respond to these global challenges, maintain stable economic growth, and realize a resilient digital economy, it is extremely important to vigorously promote both digitalization throughout society and the economy, and innovations that utilize digital technologies.

Against this background, the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Meeting will discuss important issues such as the promotion of comprehensive economic and social innovation through DX and the operationalization of Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT).

In particular, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will bring up new forms of governance (e.g. integrating RegTech and operationalizing agile governance approaches) in line with progress in the social implementation of emerging technologies such as AI, IoT, and robotics, in order to promote socio-economic innovation. As one of chairs of the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Meeting this year, I will lead this discussion on policy areas and initiatives to be coordinated at the G7.

In addition, as an official session, on the day before the Ministers' Meeting, Japan will invite public and private multi-stakeholders from G7 countries and hold “the DX Summit”* to discuss measures to address new socio-economic issues related to emerging technologies, such as new forms of governance for a digitalized society.

The venue will be in Gunma Prefecture, a region which has set itself the goal of becoming Japan's most advanced digital prefecture within the next three years, and it is promoting advanced DX initiatives such as the development of digital human resources and the creation of innovation. I believe that this makes Gunma a most suitable place for holding this meeting.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will make every effort to make “the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers’ Meeting in Takasaki, Gunma” a success.

We look forward to your understanding and cooperation in this regard.

the DX Summit official website https://initiatives.weforum.org/c4ir/dx-summit