Section 7

## Promotion of International Strategy

### 1. Priority promotion issues in international policy

## (1) Promotion of ICT overseas deployment

In the terrestrial digital TV broadcasting field, under government/private cooperation, there is work to expand use of the Japanese format (ISDB-T). Starting with Brazil in 2006, a total of 12 countries in Central and South America and Asia (excluding Japan) decided to adopt the Japan format. The plan is to also work on its use in Southern African countries, etc.

Regarding ICT deployment into Asian countries, the “Asia Ubiquitous City Concept Promotion Project” began in FY2011. Also, the Bali Declaration adopted in the November 2011 ASEAN Summit included Japan’s proposal for an “ASEAN Smart Network Initiative,” which aims to contribute to economic stimulation and to solving various social problems in ASEAN countries by achieving a leading ICT utilization and ubiquitous environment, and it was decided to advance this initiative.

## (2) Development of environment for ICT overseas deployment

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is also supporting human resource development in the ICT field, and supporting international institutions and regional institutions which promote global cooperation to solve the international digital divide. The Ministry also cooperates with ODA and the Japan International Cooperation Agency, contributing to sustainable development of the ICT field in developing countries.

Regarding the promotion of strategic international standardization, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications queried the Information and Communications Council regarding how fields should be prioritized for standardization, considering medium and long term research and development strategy and foreign countries' policies, and how government and private roles should be allocated when promoting standardization. The interim report was received in July 2011. Based on this interim report, regarding smart grids, which is one of the priority fields, the plan is to promote international standardization activities via the "Project for Introduction of Smart Grid Communications Interface," which supports development of facilities needed for achieving energy management.

Regarding international cooperation to counter cyber-attacks, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is building an international network to collect information on cyber-attacks by cooperation with Internet service providers, universities, etc. in Japan and overseas. It is also cooperating with foreign countries to work on research and development and demonstration experiments, for technology which can predict and quickly respond to the occurrence of cyber-attacks.

### 2. Initiatives in international frameworks

## (1) Promotion of international policy in Asia Pacific region

Regarding Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications provides the APEC-TEL Chairman, and is actively contributing to APEC's information and communication related activities, such as promotion of “universal broadband access,” which is a target that should be shared by APEC member countries and regions.

Regarding the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT), at the APT General Assembly held in South Korea in November 2011, Japan's candidate for Secretary General was Toshiyuki Yamada, who was reelected. It was decided that he will serve as Secretary General until February 2015.

Regarding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), stronger cooperation in the ICT field such as the “ASEAN Smart Network Initiative” was included in the joint declaration (Bali Declaration) adopted at the ASEAN-Japan Summit held in November 2011. Regarding policy on cooperation for the ASEAN region in the ICT field, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is holding the “ASEAN-Japan Public/Private Council,” which is proceeding with study by the government and private sector, and is sharing and exchanging information.

## (2) Development of international policy in a global framework

Japan is making positive contributions on the international stage by, for example, obtaining many chair and vice-chair positions at International Telecommunications Union (ITU) research committees, taking leadership posts on research topics, and making recommendations and proposals.

In the United Nations, Internet related discussions are mainly held in the UN General Assembly First Committee, UN General Assembly Second Committee, Economic and Social Council, and Human Rights Council.

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 countries with the most progress in deregulating its telecommunications sector, so Japan is requesting elimination and relaxation of foreign capital regulations in foreign countries.