May 30, 2023 Release of “Interim Summary 2.0 of Expert Group Meetings on Development of Digital Infrastructures (e.g., DCs)”

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) have been holding expert group meetings on the development of digital infrastructures, including data centers (DCs). These meetings aim to address the increasing importance of digital infrastructure development, examine location-related requirements such as resilience enhancement and the provision of energy and communications, and foster the healthy growth of companies that play a role in digital infrastructures from the perspective of economic security.
Based on the discussions at the meetings, a report entitled “Interim Summary 2.0 of Expert Group Meetings on Development of Digital Infrastructures (e.g., DCs)” has been released today.

1. Purpose

The digitization of society and industry is expected to lead to new businesses that utilize data in all fields, including medicine, education, transportation, and agriculture, and solutions to social issues through these businesses. Against this backdrop, the importance of digital infrastructures, such as 5G, communications networks, and DCs responsible for collecting, communicating, and processing data is increasing.
The government, in consideration of the “Interim Summary of Expert Meetings on the Development of Digital Infrastructure (DCs, etc.),” has been implementing measures for the development of digital infrastructure, including promoting the decentralization of data centers to regional areas, from the viewpoint of strengthening resilience during natural disasters, etc. and responding to the use of decarbonized power sources.
Against this backdrop, there have been major swells and changes in the contemporary international society and Japan’s social economy, such as changes in the international situation and security environment, technological advances in next-generation computing platforms and systems, such as AI and quantum computers, concerns about power supply demand with the advancement of DX and growing social demands for GX. Along with these changes, the policy and national significance, a prerequisite for developing Japan’s digital infrastructure, is undergoing no small change.
Considering these circumstances, the expert group meeting on the development of digital infrastructures (DCs, etc.) was resumed in March 2023 to reexamine the current situation and various changes that could affect it in the future, as well as to consider how the development of digital infrastructures should be carried out. So, experts, businesspeople, and related ministries and agencies involved in digital infrastructure have gathered to share information and exchange opinions on the future direction of policies.
Based on the discussions at the meetings, a report entitled “Interim Summary 2.0 of Expert Group Meetings on Development of Digital Infrastructures (e.g., DCs)” has been released today. Considering this interim report, METI and MIC will continue promoting the appropriate development of digital infrastructure.

2. About Interim Summary 2.0

Interim Summary 2.0 (PDF) of Expert Group Meetings on Development of Digital
Infrastructures (e.g., DCs)
Interim Summary 2.0 (PDF) of Expert Group Meetings on Development of Digital
Infrastructures (e.g., DCs) (Summary)

3. Related links

Expert Group Meetings on Development of Digital Infrastructures (e.g., DCs) Release of Interim Summary of Expert Group Meetings on Development of Digital Infrastructures (e.g., DCs)
*The published materials are in Japanese only.