January 22, 2025 Outcomes of the Third Ministerial Council of the Japan-UK Digital Partnership

　On Wednesday, January 22, 2025, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, and the Digital Agency held the Third Ministerial Council of the Japan-UK Digital Partnership with the UK’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (hereinafter they are collectively referred to as "Both Participants").
　At the Council meeting, Both Participants reaffirmed the progress made in the digital field over the past year under the Japan-UK Digital Partnership, and compiled a joint statement outlining the strategic direction for the next phase of the Partnership.

1. Summary of the meeting

　The meeting was held online and attended from Japan by Mr. ADACHI Masashi, State Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, Mr. KOGA Yuichiro, State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, and Mr. KISHI Nobuchiyo, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Digital Transformation and from the UK by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.
　At the meeting, Both Participants reaffirmed the progress made in the digital field over the past year under the Japan-UK Digital Partnership. This includes considerations on R&D initiatives in Beyond 5G/6G, supply chain reinforcement in the semiconductor sector, Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT), and cooperation in the digital marketplace and government cloud. And Both Participants compiled a joint statement outlining the strategic direction for the next phase.

2. Key points of the joint statement

(1) Semiconductor
　In areas including compound semiconductors, semiconductor design, and photonics, Both Participants commit to continuing to cooperate on supply chain resilience and foster R&D and commercial collaborations between UK and Japanese stakeholders.
(2) AI
　Recognizing the importance of international AI governance, Both Participants have committed to strengthening collaboration through the Hiroshima AI Process Friends Group, established in May 2024, and supporting the agreement of the Council of Europe Convention on AI. To promote AI governance interoperability and facilitate the sharing of policies and knowledge, Both Participants will strengthen intergovernmental cooperation, including exchanging views. The AI Safety Institutes (AISI) in Japan and the UK will foster a strong relationship to promote sharing knowledge on AI safety.
(3) Future telecoms and diversification
　Both Participants will advance initiatives on future telecom technologies, supply chain diversification using Open RAN, and intergovernmental cooperation for developing technical standards. In addition, Both Participants will further explore bilateral R&D initiatives for Beyond 5G/6G.
(4) Cyber resilience
　Both participants will ensure the interoperability of security schemes for Internet of Things (IoT) products and share knowledge on evaluating the security measures implemented by companies in both countries.
(5) Data
　To promote trusted government access measures and support the implementation of DFFT, Both Participants will work closely in multilateral forums, such as the G7 and the OECD, and address barriers to cross-border data transfers. Both Participants also promote interoperability in data governance, including deepening a common understanding of data security in the context of the DFFT.
(6) Digital government transformation
　In July 2024, the Government Digital Service (GDS) of the UK and the Digital Agency of Japan held an online expert meeting to exchange knowledge between the UK and Japan, including on the digital marketplace and benefits of the government cloud, to reduce costs and increase operational productivity.

[Attachment]
・Joint Statement [Original in English]
・Joint Statement [Tentative translation in Japanese]