April 27, 2026 Dr. Hideyuki Iwata of Japan was elected as the next Chair of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Standardization Program (ASTAP) at ASTAP-38

　At the 38th Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Standardization Program (ASTAP-38), held in Bangkok, the Kingdom of Thailand, from Monday, April 20 to Friday, April 24, 2026, Dr. Hideyuki Iwata, President and Director-General of the Telecommunication Technology Committee (TTC), was elected as the next Chair of ASTAP.

1　 Overview of ASTAP

　ASTAP is a meeting organized by the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT)* to discuss regional cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region toward international standardization of information and communication technologies (ICT), as well as collaboration for the dissemination of ICT services within the region.

　At ASTAP-38, discussions were held on draft APT Reports concerning the safe use of generative AI, 6G and terahertz communications, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), and green ICT, as well as on new work items covering embodied AI, or AI integrated with physical systems, citiverse technologies for urban virtual spaces, communication resilience in times of disaster, and cross-sectoral studies on emerging technology strategies.

* APT is an intergovernmental organization established in February 1979 with the aim of promoting ICT development in the Asia-Pacific region. Headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, APT promotes the balanced development of telecommunications in the region through human resource development activities such as training programs and seminars, as well as regional policy coordination in such areas as standardization and radiocommunications.

2　Election of the Next Chair

　At ASTAP-38, elections were held for the Chair and other positions of ASTAP following the expiration of their terms, and it was decided that Dr. Hideyuki Iwata of Japan will assume the position of ASTAP Chair for a three-year term beginning in April 2026. Dr. Iwata (President and Director-General of TTC) has held various positions in ASTAP working groups and related bodies since 2011, and has served as ASTAP Vice-Chair since 2020, contributing to ASTAP-related activities for more than 15 years. He has also actively engaged in training programs and various pilot projects implemented by APT in the field of ICT, making significant contributions to APT activities beyond ASTAP.

3　Others

　For further details, please refer to the ASTAP website below.
　https://apt.int/APTASTAP