January 22, 2025 Launch of DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION, a Public-private Partnership Project (hereinafter referred to as the "Project"), to Improve ICT Literacy Comprehensively

 The MIC is implementing the Project, aimed at improving ICT literacy among Internet and social media users. This project is conducted in cooperation with platform operators, telecommunications carriers, IT-related companies, and other relevant organizations. Today, the MIC hosted a presentation meeting for the Project.
 Alongside the announcement of the Project's logo and slogans, its preliminary website has been launched and is now open to the public.

1. Overview

 The spread of the Internet and social media has increased the convenience of social life. However, it has also accelerated the spread of disinformation and misinformation, fraudulent advertisements, and slanderous posts. In particular, during disasters or pandemics, disinformation and misinformation may have a serious impact. Globally, disinformation and misinformation are circulated and spread during elections, which can have serious consequences. Digital technology, including the Internet, social media and emerging technologies such as generative AI, has deeply penetrated into people's daily lives. To ensure that each citizen uses these technologies with confidence as a member of the digital society, it is important to actively use them while being mindful of their impact on others and acting responsibly.
 Against this background, the MIC collaborates with 19 companies and organizations to further improve ICT literacy under the Project. The initiatives include launching a website that aggregates initiatives from both the public and private sectors and various PR activities.

2. Presentation meeting on new projects to improve ICT literacy

 The MIC hosted a presentation meeting on new projects to improve ICT literacy on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. 　At the meeting, Hideto Kawasaki, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications delivered the opening speech, as the event's organizer. In the speech, he emphasized the importance of fostering social momentum to improve ICT literacy through public-private partnerships, which involve not only the government but also stakeholders from companies and organizations.
 Tatsuhiko Yamamoto, professor at the Graduate School of Law, Keio University, outlined the background of the Project’s launch and future initiatives. He chairs the "Comprehensive ICT Literacy Promotion Council," where companies and organizations supporting the Project’s mission serve as promotion partners. Subsequently, four student guests expressed their expectations and impressions of the Project.
 Finally, the presentation meeting was concluded with a photo session attended by the participants, including executives from platform operators, telecommunications carriers, IT-related companies, and other relevant organizations.

3. Initiatives

Future activities

 Specific activities of the Project will include the following:

• Launching a website that aggregates initiatives from the public and private sectors
  
  • Various companies and organizations holding seminars and symposiums and developing awareness-raising materials.
• Public relations activities targeting the public through various advertising media.

About the Project's mark consisting of a logo and slogans

 The Project’s mark consists of three elements: an English slogan, a Japanese slogan and a logo. The English slogan expresses a strong desire for the government, companies, organizations, and every citizen to take actions one after another to make our digital society a positive one. The Japanese slogan emphasizes the importance of this desire, stating "Let's build and protect a safe and enjoyable information society." The logo depicts a person feeling happy in the safe and enjoyable information society that has been realized.

About the Project's website

 The preliminary website that has opened today includes the logo, slogans and the statement shown below. Around Tuesday, February 11, 2025, the website is scheduled to be updated with information on initiatives by companies and organizations, educational materials, related government policies, and other content to improve ICT literacy.

Preliminary website URL:https://www.soumu.go.jp/dpa/

About the Project’s statement

 TheInternet makes everyone's life enjoyable and convenient. However, disinformation and misinformation, fake videos, scam advertisements, and slanderous posts on social media are creeping in, and your personal information is being stolen before you know it.

 You may not be able to obtain accurate information.
　 You may feel confused by the complex mix of information.

 Now is the time for all of us to build and protect a secure information society.

 with for all of us and
　 with companies and organizations that support the information society,
　 DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION has now begun.

 The digital space is now next to everyday life.
To make it a safe place for everyone and to further expand the possibilities of this world through the digital technology that connects people and changes society,

 why not take action for a positive future, with us?

Participating organizations and companies

 The DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION now involves 19 parties, including platform operators, telecommunications carriers, IT-related companies, and other relevant organizations. More companies and organizations will join sequentially in the future.

[List of organizations and companies] * Titles omitted, listed in no particular order

Japan Internet Safety Promotion Association (JISPA)	GrassRoots Activity Promotion Council For Cyber Security (Grafsec)
Safer Internet Association (SIA)	Social Media Association of Japan (SMAJ)
Japan Cable and Telecommunications Association (JCTA)	Foundation for MultiMedia Communications (FMMC)
Google	LY Corporation
Meta	TikTok Japan
X	Rakuten Mobile, Inc.
Gunosy Inc.	SmartNews, Inc.
Microsoft Japan Co., Ltd.	NewsPicks Studios, Inc.
KDDI CORPORATION	NTT DOCOMO, INC.
SoftBank Corp.