October 7, 2022 Results of the First UK-Japan Digital Group Meeting

On October 6 (Thu.), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), Digital Agency, and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) , together with the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, held the UK-Japan Digital Group Meeting online.
The Director-General level meeting was launched on May 4 (Wed.), 2022, through an agreement between relevant ministries and agencies of the UK and Japan and is scheduled to be held annually based on a cooperative framework that handles joint digital priorities shared by Japan and the UK. This was the first meeting.
Based on the results of this meeting, three ministries will advance efforts to further deepen cooperation and make it more concrete.

Main outcomes of the meeting

At the meeting, discussions were held mainly on the following topics related to cooperation between Japan and the UK in the digital field.

1. Collaboration in multilateral meetings

The two sides confirmed the direction and specific ideal form of cooperation they should aim for regarding areas in which they will cooperate in multilateral meetings.

2. Data

The Japanese side explained its efforts to operationalize DFFT (Data Free Flow with Trust), a comprehensive data strategy, and matters related to data ecosystems including data management. The UK side explained that it would like the two countries to continue cooperating in efforts related to data integration, technology for stronger protection of privacy, DFFT. Both sides agreed to continue cooperating toward DFFT from multiple perspectives.

3. Diversification of telecommunication suppliers

The two countries confirmed concrete approaches to R&D related to technologies that sophisticate Open RAN, in order to further strengthen cooperation in promoting Open RAN.

4. Cybersecurity

The Japanese side explained the Cyber/Physical Security Framework (CPSF) formulated by Japan and the international standardization of the framework. The UK side confirmed the existing cooperative relationship between Japan and the UK and explained its commitment to continued collaboration.

5. Semiconductors

The Japanese side explained Japan's strategy for semiconductors. The UK side also explained the UK’s semiconductor strategy and its desire to continue dialogue in the future. The countries shared their individual approaches to the semiconductor industry.

In addition, the two sides agreed on areas they should focus on in the future with the aim of further strengthening cooperation.

(Reference) Participants of the first UK-Japan Digital Group Meeting
Japan side: Mr. TAWARA Yasuo, Director-General of the Global Strategy Bureau, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications; Mr. ZAMMA Toshiyuki, Head of International Strategy, Digital Agency; Mr. TODAKA Hideshi, Director-General, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and other officials
UK side: Ms. Susannah STOREY, Director General for Digital and Media, Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, and other officials

Related Link
Launch of UK-Japan Digital Group (May 4, 2022)