the application of ICT, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is moving ahead with several R&D projects, including R&D into innovation creation models that make use of brain structures, R&D into robot and network convergence, and R&D into universal communications.

### 4. Promotion of future innovation caused by paradigm shifts in society

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is prioritizing the promotion of R&D related to ICT technologies that Japan is strong in and is implementing R&D projects, such as construction of a next-generation communications network test bed (JGN-X), with the aim of bringing technology to market as soon as possible.

Section 7

## Promotion of International Strategy

### 1. Promotion of international policy

## (1) Promotion of international policy in the Asian-Pacific region

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is engaged in various initiatives to further international policy in the Asian-Pacific region, including cooperation with member countries of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT), and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In 2010, Japan became the chair of APEC, and a number of high-level APEC meetings were held, including the Economic Leaders' Meeting in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture. In October 2010, the Eighth APEC Ministerial Meeting on the Telecommunications and Information Industry (TELEMIN 8), with the participation of all 21 APEC economies, was held in Nago, Okinawa. Under the direction of the co-chairs, Yoshihiro Katayama, Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, and Tadahiro Matsushita, Senior Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, discussions about telecommunications and information industry policy within APEC were held and the Okinawa Declaration was adopted, which established common goals for APEC to achieve in the ICT field.

## (2) Promotion of international policy at international organizations and in multilateral relationships (excluding relationships in the Asian-Pacific region)

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 October 2010, the ITU's Plenipotentiary Conference — the organization's highest decision-making body — was held in Guadalajara, Mexico. At the conference, Japan was elected for the tenth consecutive time since 1959 as a member of the ITU executive committee. The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications cooperates actively with many other international organizations including the Internet Governance Forum, the G8, the World Trade Organization, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

## (3) Promotion of international policy in bilateral relationships

In the interest of exchanging views on broad policy challenges related to the Internet economy and promoting a shared recognition of development in the ICT field and specific cooperation on global challenges, Japan and the United States agreed in June 2010 to hold a Director-General level dialogue on Internet economy policy cooperation. The first Director-General level meeting of the US-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy was held in Tokyo in November 2010. The second meeting was held in Washington D.C. in June 2011, at which a shared understanding was reached and announced on the use of ICT for disaster response, principles to cope with various policy challenges surrounding the Internet economy, and specific cooperation plans (cloud computing technology, enhancing the security of commercial networks, etc.). In addition, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications discusses ICT policy with its ICT ministerial counterparts in many countries and regions, including the EU, various European and American nations, China, and India. The Ministry is also actively involved in signing economic partnership agreements with other countries.

### 2. Promotion of international cooperation

ICT networks have a vital role to play in economic development, job creation, and raising the standard of living for the general public, but developing nations are on the far side of the international digital divide. There is a mounting need to develop global ICT networks that include developing nations as well.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications is committed to providing support for the cultivation of human resources in the ICT sector and supporting international and regional organizations that promote global cooperation in eliminating the international digital divide. In addition, the Ministry makes contributions to sustainable development in the ICT sector in developing