April 20, 2021 Results of 11th Japan-EU ICT Strategy Workshop

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission (EU) held the 11th Japan-EU ICT Strategy Workshop in the form of a web conference on Thursday, April 15, and Friday, April 16, 2021.
The purpose of this workshop is to deepen mutual understanding among the public and private sectors of Japan and the EU on digital policies and promote collaboration and cooperation. A wide range of agenda items related to the digital field, including ICT, was taken up, and opinions were freely exchanged between the public and private sectors.
In response to the results of this workshop, Japan and the EU will discuss specific details that will contribute to future Japan-EU cooperation.

Major achievements of the 11th Japan-EU ICT Strategy Workshop

At this (11th) Strategy Workshop, considering policy trends and issues in actual business settings in Japan and the EU, dialogues were held mainly on the following matters.

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

The EU introduced the EU’s Beyond 5G vision formulation and R&D efforts and the industry’s Beyond 5G efforts. Japan explained the status of its efforts to promote Beyond 5G, and 5G overseas expansion projects and Open RAN initiatives by Japanese companies. Both Japan and the EU pointed out the importance of Japan-EU industry-academia-government collaboration in R&D and standardization, and concurred to cooperate for the early realization of Beyond 5G.

2. Cybersecurity

The EU explained an overview of the EU’s cybersecurity strategy announced last year and the importance of ensuring Japan-EU interoperability in IoT security. Japan introduced its efforts to promote information-sharing among organizations in Japan and the EU and an overview of 5G Security Guidelines. Both sides concurred to continue exchanging opinions and discussing these matters between Japan and the EU. Simultaneously, the latest efforts of Japanese companies regarding Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology were also introduced.

3. Smart cities

Both Japan and the EU explained how to ensure the security of smart cities. Both sides pointed out that international cooperation is desirable from the perspective of ensuring interoperability, in smart cities where actors from various fields cooperate with each other. It was concurred that Japan and the EU would continue exchanging views and discuss this matter.

4. Platform

The EU explained the significance of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which were announced in December last year. In response to this, the Japanese industry has expressed concern about the excessive deletion of content by platformers. Both Japan and the EU pointed out the importance of multi-stakeholder discussions, continuous monitoring and ensuring transparency.

5. Data

The EU explained the outline of the Data Governance Act, which was announced in November last year, and the outline of the Data Act, which is currently under consideration. Japan introduced the first draft by the Data Strategy Task Force, which was released in December last year, and the efforts of Personal Data Trust Bank in Japan. It was concurred by both sides that Japan and the EU should explore the possibility of cooperation in areas including the construction of a data space and utilizing data for COVID-19 countermeasures.

6. AI

The EU introduced a draft of the AI regulation framework to be adopted on April 21 of this year. Japan introduced the efforts of the Japan-EU AI Joint Committee and the voluntary efforts of Japanese companies to utilize AI and explained the idea that cross-cutting regulations on AI should be soft law. Both Japan and the EU share common understanding that the ultimate goal of AI governance is to achieve trust and human-centered AI, and concurred to continue exchanging opinions and discussions.

This workshop is held twice a year, and Japan will host the next one in the autumn of this year.