September 30, 2021 Inquiry on Information and Communications Policy with a View to 2030, Addressed to Information and Communications Council

Today, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) sent an inquiry to the Information and Communications Council (headed by Mr. UCHIYAMADA Takeshi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Toyota Motor Corporation) on information and communications policies with a view to 2030.

1. Inquiry outline and reason

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the role of information and communications in people’s lives and economic activities, along with the security associated with the use of information and communications, has become even more important due to the progress of digitalization and other factors. Against this backdrop, issues such as the growing presence of overseas platform operators and vendors have become apparent, especially in the content, service, terminal, and device layers, and supply chain risks in the information and communications field due to recent changes in the international situation, including tensions between the U.S. and China.
Therefore, based on future trends in the market, technology, and usage in the information and communications field, and in order to realize Society 5.0 and ensure economic security around the year 2030, this inquiry is to consult on the future direction of information and communications policies.

2. Inquiry items

The inquiry items are based on future trends in the market, technology, and usage in the information and communications field, with a view to 2030.

• 1.
  Direction of efforts to realize Society 5.0 and ensure economic security
• 2.
  Addressing the issues in (1) that need to be addressed urgently
• 3.
  Other matters considered necessary

3. Report deadline

Around June 2022

4. Deliberation structure

At the Information and Communications Council’s meeting held today, it was decided that the inquiry would be referred to the Information and Communications Policy Committee for deliberation.