February 12, 2020 Results of Fourth Japan-Germany ICT Policy Dialogue

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy held the fourth vice-ministerial-level policy dialogue in Tokyo on Friday, February 7, 2020. This dialogue aims to deepen the mutual policy understanding between Japan and Germany in the field of information and communications and to promote the collaboration and cooperation of the two countries.

1. Fourth Japan-Germany ICT Policy Dialogue

1. Result overview

The Japan-Germany ICT Policy Dialogue is an opportunity between MIC and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy to exchange views on ICT policies in general. In the fourth policy dialogue, the following items were mainly discussed with consideration of the policy trends of Japan and Germany.

2. Main achievements

1. International cooperation

Japan explained the promotion of the Data Free Flow with Trust and the Osaka Truck, with consideration of the results of the G20 summit, which was held in Japan last June, and the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in Germany last November. Germany explained the results of the IGF and the follow-up to the UN High-Level Panel report. Both countries will continue to promote their cooperation within an international framework, including the G7, G20, and IGF.

2. AI/IoT

Both Japan and Germany explained the start and progress of Japan-German joint research on AI/IoT utilization based on wireless communications in the manufacturing field and decided to continue their cooperation.
Japan explained G7, G20, and OECD discussions on AI principles and new considerations for AI utilization guidelines and the value measurement and distribution promotion of data. Germany explained recent AI initiatives in Germany and Europe. Both Japan and Germany agreed to continue promoting their cooperation in international discussion forums, such as the OECD.

3. Review policies and regulations

Japan explained privacy protection in the telecommunications business and initiatives for fake news and fake information. Germany explained the trends on the platform, including efforts on fake news and hate speech. Both parties will continue sharing the status of their efforts between Japan and Germany.

4. 5G

Japan explained the launch status of 5G commercial services, local 5G initiatives, and 5G security assurance initiatives. Germany explained the current situation of 5G security assurance and the introduction of 5G in the region. Both parties will continue exchanging opinions between Japan and Germany.

5. IoT security

Japan explained MIC’s cybersecurity initiatives. Germany explained the status of security certification of IoT devices in Europe and Germany, the state of their studies, and awareness-raising for small and medium-sized enterprises. Both parties decided to continue sharing information between Germany and Japan.

6. Data utilization

Germany explained a GAIA-X project, which aims to build secure and reliable data infrastructure for Europe. Both parties will continue exchanging opinions on GAIA-X.

(Reference) Participants of Fourth Japan-Germany ICT Policy Dialogue
Japan: Ms. Makiko Yamada (Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination of MIC) and other officials
Germany: Mr. Christian Hirte (Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy), Mr. Stefan Schnorr (Director General of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy), and other officials

2. Public-Private Meeting

Overview

Along with the Japan-Germany ICT Policy Dialogue, the second public-private meeting was held as an opportunity for public and private parties to exchange opinions on important issues in the ICT field freely. With consideration of the policy trends of both Japan and Germany and issues in actual business situations, the following items were mainly discussed.

Main achievements

Data economy and Internet governance

Japan explained how personal data should be protected and used to realize Society 5.0 and the current status and issues of Internet governance. German explained the GAIA-X project. In particular, lively discussions were held on the GAIA-X project.

New technologies (autonomous driving and AI)

Both sides exchanged views on initiatives and issues related to autonomous driving and AI utilization. The Japanese and German industries mentioned that it is essential to deepen the consideration of specific use cases for practical use.

IoT security

Japan explained security measures for IoT devices and efforts to strengthen industrial cybersecurity for Society 5.0. Germany agreed that cybersecurity is a business challenge.

(Reference) Public-private meeting attendees
Japan: Ms. Makiko Yamada, Vice-Minister for Policy Coordination of MIC, Keidanren (Japan Business Federation), Shinkeiren (Japan Association of New Economy, affiliated companies, and others
Germany: Mr. Christian Hirte (Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy), the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Japan, affiliated companies, and others