October 6, 2020 Results of 10th Japan-EU ICT Strategy Workshop

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and the European Commission held the 10th Japan-EU ICT Strategy Workshop in the form of a web-conference on Thursday, October 1, and Friday, October 2, 2020.
In this workshop, a wide range of agenda items related to ICT was taken up. As for 5G and Beyond 5G, in particular, Japan and the European Commission pointed out the importance of international standardization, as well as research and development, and agreed on their cooperation toward the early realization of Beyond 5G.
In response to the results of this workshop, Japan and the European Commission will further discuss matters, including specific cooperation contents, for the next Japan-EU ICT policy dialogue.

Major achievements of the 10th Japan-EU ICT Strategy Workshop

1. Overview

The 10th Japan-EU ICT Strategy Workshop was recently held for the public and private sectors to exchange opinions freely on important digital economy issues. Considering the policy trends in Japan and the EU’s real business environments, the dialogue was mainly held on the following matters.

2. Major achievements

1. 5G and Beyond 5G (6G)

Japan and the EU introduced the respective situations of 5G services that started and those of Beyond 5G. The EU side also showed a high interest in Japan’s “Beyond 5G Promotion Strategy”.

Japan and the EU pointed out the importance of the international standardization of Beyond 5G, as well as Beyond 5G research and development. They agreed that Japan and the EU would cooperate toward the early realization of Beyond 5G.

2. Cybersecurity

Japan and the EU introduced security assurance and security policies for 5G and the IoT. In particular, they pointed out the importance of baseline requirements and scheme settings for ensuring the security of IoT devices. Furthermore, Japan and the EU confirmed that discussions to promote the cooperation of information sharing organizations of Japan and the EU.

3. Digital and smart cities for climate change response

The EU side introduced digitalization for the greening of the economy and society, that of ICT service and technology, and the Destination Earth project. Japan introduced security solutions for smart cities and recognized the importance of smart city security guidelines with the EU.

4. AI

The EU side explained AI policies, including the AI White Paper, published in February this year. Japan explained the 2020 Report of the Conference toward AI Network Society, which was released in July this year. Japan and the EU have pointed out that the definition of AI shown in the AI White Paper and the strict definition of high-risk AI are necessary. Both parties required the deepening of discussions with various stakeholders continuously.

5. Digital action for COVID-19

Japan and the EU introduced digital measures, such as tracking apps for COVID-19 in Japan and the EU, and the status of support by private companies. Both parties confirmed the maintenance of social activities by ICT while preventing infection and the importance of the further development of ICT to facilitate activities without close-contact settings.

6. Platform

The EU side gave an overview of a new Digital Services Act package and the European platform of regulatory authorities. Japan explained the outline of the Act Partially Amending the Telecommunications Business Act (for the strengthening of the effectiveness of law enforcement for foreign corporations, etc.), which was enacted in May this year, and the situation of studying digital market rulemaking. Japan and the EU shared concerns about monopoly platformers. They showed a high interest in the issue. At the same time, Japan pointed out the need for platform definition in response to the EU’s regulatory proposals, and both parties decided to continue exchanging opinions.

7. Data

The EU side explained the results of public comments on the data strategy announced in July this year, and Japan explained the cross-border distribution of personal data and Personal Data Trust Bank. Both Japan and the EU pointed out the importance of ensuring appropriate protection and reliability for data utilization and decided to continue discussions.

8. Trust services

Japan explained the efforts to institutionalize trust services, and both parties decided to continue their cooperation in this field.