May 7, 2026 Signing of a Cooperation Arrangement with the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission and Results of the Bilateral Meeting

On May 5, 2026, Mr. Hayashi, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications held a bilateral meeting with Ms. Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission. Additionally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) signed a Cooperation Arrangement with the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission (DG CNECT) for information exchange on measures against illegal content and rights-infringing information on the Internet.

1. Signing of a Cooperation Arrangement with the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission

The MIC and the DG CNECT have signed a Cooperation Arrangement for information exchange on measures against illegal content and rights-infringing information on the Internet (hereinafter referred to as “Cooperation Arrangement”). The signing of this Cooperation Arrangement took place in the presence of Mr. Hayashi, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, and Ms. Virkkunen, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission.

(Overview of the Cooperation Arrangement)

Both sides will cooperate through information exchange on the following areas of common interest to support the implementation and enforcement of their respective laws under Digital Services Act in the EU and the Information Distribution Platform Act in Japan:

• 　I.　　Providers of online platforms’ transparency of their policies, procedures, measures and tools used for the purpose of content moderation
• 　II.　 Providers of online platforms’ transparency reporting obligations
• 　III.　Providers of online platforms’ reporting systems for illegal content and rights-infringing information, including providers of online platforms’ systems to process such notifications and to inform affected users

(Signatories)

Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications: Dr. Imagawa, Vice-Minister for International Affairs
Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology of the European Commission: Dr. Robert Viola, Director-General

2. Results of the Bilateral Meeting Between Minister Hayashi and Executive Vice-President Virkkunen

During the bilateral meeting, the MIC and the European Commission exchanged views on the ICT field and confirmed that they would further strengthen their cooperation.