February 26, 2021 Result of 26th Japan-EU ICT Policy Dialogue

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission held the 26th Japan-EU ICT Policy Dialogue in a web-conference style on Wednesday, February 24, 2021.
This policy dialogue covered a wide range of ICT agendas. In particular, concerning Beyond 5G (6G), both parties pointed out the importance of internationally collaborative R&D and international standardization. At the same time, Japan and the EU decided to continue cooperating toward the early realization of Beyond 5G (6G).
In response to the results of this policy dialogue, Japan and the EU will further discuss matters, including specific cooperation contents, toward future Japan-EU ICT policy dialogue and Japan-EU ICT strategy workshop.

Major achievements of the 26th Japan-EU ICT Policy Dialogue

1. Overview

MIC and the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission held the 26th EU-Japan ICT Policy Dialogue as an opportunity to exchange information and opinions on ICT policies. Considering policy trends and issues in both Japan and the EU, the dialogue was held mainly on the following matters.

2. Main achievements

1. Regulatory reform

The EU explained the outline of the Digital Services Act (DSA), the Digital Markets Act (DMA), and the Data Governance Act, which were announced last year. 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 last year, MIC’s efforts toward platform services and data strategy. They confirmed that both Japan and the EU place importance on the free utilization and distribution of data. At the same time, Japan and the EU shared concerns about monopoly platformers and decided to continue exchanging opinions.

2. Cybersecurity

The EU explained the outline of the new EU Cybersecurity Strategy announced last year, the revision of the NIS Directive, the direction of examination of the authentication scheme based on the Cybersecurity Act, the operation status of the 5G toolbox, etc. Japan introduced the promotion of the cooperation of information sharing organizations between the EU and Japan, efforts to improve 5G security, and the Smart City Information Security Guidelines. The EU expressed interest in Japan’s call for cooperation through the activities of the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC). Japan and the EU decided to continue exchanging opinions in the field of cybersecurity.

3. 5G/6G

The EU explained the efforts for 5G deployment such as Open RAN, the vision and R&D on 6G. Japan introduced the status of efforts to promote Beyond 5G, including the Beyond 5G Promotion Consortium, the Beyond 5G New Business Strategy Center, R&D measures towards Beyond 5G. Both Japan and the EU pointed out the importance of internationally collaborative R&D and international standardization toward the practical application of Beyond 5G (6G) in 2030. At the same time, Japan and the EU decided to continue cooperating toward the early realization of Beyond 5G (6G).

4. Standardization and Joint R&D

The EU explained the Japan-EU collaboration project on standardization and appreciated its progress. Japan explained the future direction of Japan-EU joint R&D in the field of ICT. Both Japan and the EU pointed out the importance of Japan-EU collaboration in the field of international standardization, in which various countries participate. At the same time, Japan and the EU decided to continue discussions on Japan-EU joint R&D with a view to international standardization.