### f. World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round of negotiations

In the WTO Doha Round negotiations, the telecommunications field is one of the most important fields in services trade fields, and there are active negotiations for much more deregulated telecommunications markets. Japan is one of the WTO member states with the most progress in deregulating its telecommunications sector, so Japan is requesting elimination and relaxation of foreign capital regulations in foreign countries.

### g. Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

At the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), “The Protection of Children Online” began by a proposal of Japan, and the OECD recommendation on this was adopted in February 2012. Currently, the OECD Privacy Guidelines and OECD Security Guidelines are being revised.

## (2) Development of international policy in bilateral relations

Regarding policy cooperation with the U.S., Japan has been exchanging opinions with the United States about a broad range of policy issues through the “U.S.-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy” since the first session of the dialogue in November 2010.

In addition, regarding Japan-United States Trade Principles for Information and Communication Technology Services, which were formulated in January 2012 in light of the high level of liberalization in Japan and the United States, it has been decided that the two countries will encourage third-party countries to adopt similar principles in the future.

Policy consultations on information and communications are being held with European ministries and agencies in charge of information and communications, and cooperation on information and communications is under way with Asian ministries and agencies in charge of information and communications.

## Section 9 Development of Postal Service Administration

### 1. Promotion of postal service administration

The Act for Partial Revision of the Postal Service Privatization Act, etc., which was promulgated on May 8, 2012, has expanded the scope of universal service, which was until then limited to postal mail service, to cover savings and insurance services. In addition, as a result of the review of the five-company management structure, it was decided that a four-company structure should be adopted by merging Japan Post Service Co., Ltd. and Japan Post Network Co., Ltd. to create Japan Post Co., Ltd.

### 2. Promotion of postal service administration in the international field

## (1) Issues related to Universal Postal Union (UPU)

At the 25th UPU Congress held in Doha, Qatar, in September and October 2012, Japan was elected to serve on the Council of Administration. In addition, Japan was elected as the chair of the Postal Operations Council for the first time.

## (2) International deployment of postal infrastructure systems

Amid the increasingly active investment, mainly by emerging countries, in the modernization and advancement of postal operations, we intend to support the deployment of postal infrastructure systems so as to contribute to the socio-economic development of partner countries and strengthen relationships with them through the provision of superior Japanese operational know-how concerning postal mail and relevant technologies. As for specific cooperative relationships, we will build relationships in the most desirable manner that suits partner countries' circumstances and needs.

### 3. Promotion of correspondence delivery business

The Act on Correspondence Delivery by Private-Business Operators paved the way for private enterprises to enter the correspondence delivery business, which had been monopolized by the state.

Correspondence delivery falls into two categories: general correspondence delivery, which provides general correspondence service nationwide, and specified correspondence delivery, which provides correspondence delivery service within the limits that do not undermine the assurance of universal postal mail service. Around 400 operators have entered the specified correspondence delivery business.