October 19, 2026 Establishment of an Information Exchange Framework between the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

　On Friday, October 16, 2026, Mr. Hideo Fuseda, Vice-Minister for International Affairs of the MIC, met with Mr. Brendan Carr, Chairman of the FCC in the United States. During the meeting, in light of changes in the international environment, the MIC and the FCC renewed their Letter of Intent for Cooperation (LoI) to establish an information exchange framework on policy issues in the field of telecommunications, including issues relevant to economic security.

1. Overview

　Mr. Fuseda, Vice-Minister for International Affairs, met with Mr. Carr, Chairman of the FCC in the United States. On the occasion of their meeting, in light of recent international developments and changes in the economic security environment, the MIC and the FCC renewed the LoI signed in 2018.

　The previous LoI covered areas such as broadband policies, frequency policies (e.g., 5G), broadcasting policies, and cooperation toward shared objectives at international and multilateral meetings. In addition to these topics of mutual interest, the renewed LoI also establishes an information-exchange framework on policy issues in the field of telecommunications, including issues relevant to economic security.

　Based on the renewed LoI, the MIC will exchange information with the FCC and other relevant U.S. government agencies by setting topics for discussion in a timely and appropriate manner and coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies as necessary. The MIC will thereby further strengthen cooperation between Japan and the United States in the information and communications field.

2. Signatories

MIC: Mr. Hideo Fuseda, Vice-Minister for International Affairs
FCC: Mr. Brendan Carr, Chairman