# Section 8 Promoting International Strategies for ICT

### 1. Priority promotion themes for international policy

## (1) Promoting overseas deployment of Japanese ICT

To promote overseas expansion activities by Japanese enterprises in the ICT field, MIC assists the overseas deployment of terrestrial digital TV broadcasting and the deployment of disaster-response and other ICT systems to ASEAN and Central and South American countries.

In the broadcasting field, the government and private sector are working together to further adopt the Japanese ISDB-T standard for terrestrial digital TV. As of May 2016, the adoption of the Japanese standard had expanded to a total of 18 countries.

To take advantage of the opportunity presented by the export of the Japanese terrestrial digital TV standard, MIC urges countries that have not adopted a system to choose the Japanese standard. In countries that have adopted the Japanese standard, MIC helps Japanese enterprises enter the countries' broadcasting equipment markets as well as assists the expansion of businesses in other fields by making use of personal connections.

In November 2015, the Fund Corporation for the Overseas Development of Japan's ICT and Postal Services (Japan ICT Fund) was established. The public-private fund provides assistance, in the form of long-term risk money and the provision of experts, to enterprises engaged in telecommunications businesses, broadcasting businesses, or postal service businesses in other countries.

## (2) Developing an environment for ICT overseas deployment and developing an environment for smooth distribution of information

MIC stresses two points in constructing international rules for cyber space: (1) the maximum regard must be given to the freedom to distribute information, not only to sustain democracy but also because information is the engine of economic growth and the source of innovation, and (2) the participation of the private sector, including private enterprises and civil society who actually use the Internet in their activities and manage networks, (a multi-stakeholder framework) is essential to ensure adequate cyber security. From this perspective, MIC actively participates in debates at bilateral and multilateral meetings.

### 2. Initiatives in international frameworks

## (1) Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)

MIC serves as the chair of the Liberalisation Steering Group at APEC-TEL (Telecommunications and Information Working Group) meeting. While serving and contributing as the chair, MIC presents Japan’s ICT policies and actively pushes forward ICT-related activities at APEC, such as advocating that universal broadband access be set as a shared goal for APEC member economies. TEL 54 was held in Kyoto Prefecture (at Kansai Science City, also known as Keihanna Science City) between October and November 2016.

## (2) Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT)

The APT coordinates regional policies on human resources development, standardization, and wireless communications through training courses and seminars in order to develop information and telecommunications infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region in a balanced manner.

MIC, using Japan’s Extra budgetary Contributions, has accepted trainees in the ICT fields that are Japan’s forte and assisted exchanges between ICT engineers and researchers.

## (3) Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Japan, as a dialogue partner country of ASEAN, exchanges opinions and proposals to strengthen Japan-ASEAN cooperation, making use of opportunities for dialog at the Japan-ASEAN Telecommunications and IT Ministers Meeting and the Conference of ASEAN Ministers responsible for Information (AMRI). Regarding the proposal of a workshop agreed to by both parties, Japan makes use of the Japan-ASEAN ICT Fund, established with contributions from Japan, to run the workshops.

## (4) International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

The ITU carries out many activities including allocating frequencies, standardizing telecommunications technology, and aiding development in the telecommunications field in developing countries. Japan is an active contributor to ITU, obtaining chair and vice-chair positions in study groups in many different fields, taking leadership posts for various research topics, and making recommendations and proposals.

## (5) World Trade Organization's Doha Round of negotiations

The telecommunications field is one of the most important trade-in-services fields at the Doha Round of negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Active negotiations are ongoing on further deregulation in the telecommunications field. Japan's telecommunications sector is one of the most deregulated in the WTO. As such, Japan is pushing other countries to eliminate or relax foreign capital regulations and other restrictions in the telecommunications sector.

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

The OECD carries out studies and examinations of government policy issues related to information and