October 31, 2024 Announcement of the “Study Group on Realizing Safe and Secure Metaverse” 2024 Report and Results of Public Consultation

 The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) conducted a public consultation for the “2024 Report (Draft)” of the “Study Group on Realizing Safe and Secure Metaverse” (Chaired by KOZUKA Souichirou, Professor, Faculty of Law, Gakushuin University) from Thursday, September 19, 2024 to Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
 The “2024 Report” compiled based on the results will be announced along with the results of the public consultation.

1. Background

 Anticipating a significant increase in the market size and number of users of the metaverse in the future, MIC is examining principles based on democratic values to realize even safer and more secure metaverse for users. Because services related to the metaverse will be provided across national borders, MIC has held meetings of the “Study Group on Realizing Safe and Secure Metaverse” since October 2023, intending to contribute regarding the metaverse to international discussions.
 MIC conducted a public consultation regarding the “2024 Report (Draft)”, compiled based on the study group’s discussions from Thursday, September 19, 2024 to Tuesday, October 8, 2024. As a result, 119 opinions were submitted.
 MIC has announced the report of the “Study Group on Realizing Safe and Secure Metaverse”, prepared based on these opinions and the results of the discussions held at the 9th meeting of the study group (email discussions from Thursday, October 24, 2024 to Monday, October 28, 2024).

2. How to obtain reference information

 The documents will be available for inspection and distribution at Policy Research Department, Institute for Information and Communications Policy (IICP), MIC (11th floor, Central Government Building No. 2). The reference information will be posted in the “Public Comment” page of the official web portal of the Japan Government [e-Gov] (https://www.e-gov.go.jp).