Joint Statement of the 13th US-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy

The text of the following statement was released by the governments of the United States of America and Japan on the occasion of the 13th US-Japan Political Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy.

Initial text:

The United States and Japan renewed their joint commitment to open, interoperable, reliable, and secure digital connectivity and information and communication technologies to support the growth of the digital economy during the 13th session of the US-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy in hybrid format by the United States on March 6 and 7, 2023.

The dialogue included discussions with private sector representatives from both countries on the promotion of open, interoperable and secure fifth generation (5G) wireless technologies, networks and services; public-private partnerships to support the development of the digital economy in third countries; international coordination in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), data protection and privacy, free data flow, promoting digital freedom and building cybersecurity capacities; public-private collaboration to promote public trust and support for internet stewardship and digital connectivity; and use of information and communication technology (ICT) that contributes to green and sustainable growth. The US and Japanese governments also welcomed a joint statement presented to them by private sector representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and Keidanren.

Both countries recognized the importance of promoting the development and deployment of open, secure and resilient 5G networks in advanced and emerging economies to ensure countries, businesses and citizens can have confidence that firms, equipment, software and provide services, the development of the digital economy while strengthening cybersecurity and protection of privacy, intellectual property rights, digital freedom and human rights. Both countries recognized the importance of promoting safe and reliable global submarine cable networks and continuing to exchange relevant information on their development and deployment. Both countries also reaffirmed their commitment to an inclusive, open and transparent system of internet governance based on multi-stakeholder models. In addition, the two countries agreed to cooperate in the following areas:

1. Continue cooperation in third countries to develop secure 5G and promote favorable environments for innovative approaches such as Open Radio Access Networks (‘Open RAN’) and Virtual Radio Access Networks (‘vRAN’). The two countries will jointly support Open RAN projects in third countries, including testbed, pilot or proof-of-concept projects. They emphasized the value of open and interoperable network architectures and the diversity of telecom providers in fostering and promoting a more diverse, resilient and secure telecoms ecosystem. They also recognized the importance of improving collaboration on next-generation (“6G” or “Beyond 5G”) network technologies, including research, development and international standards, with the goal of realizing safer, more resilient and more energy-efficient networks in the world 2030s.

2. Commit to using the Global Digital Connectivity Partnership (GDCP) to discuss identifying priority countries for shared engagement with a shared vision. Both countries also committed to meeting quarterly through the GDCP and engaging on an ad hoc basis to discuss specific issues and engage the private sector as needed through the GDCP to build on efforts to promote inclusive internet connectivity and expand collaboration in a secure way ICT infrastructure and promote provider diversity.

3. Continued bilateral and multilateral collaboration with members of the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) Forum to operationalize the Global CBPR Forum in early 2023, allow participation of non-`EC jurisdictions and benefit governments, certified businesses and consumers to expand. The Global CBPR Forum supports effective data protection and privacy while facilitating interoperability between data protection regimes in support of Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT).

4. Building a consensus to operationalize Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) and enable cross-border data flows, including through the Japanese G7 Presidency in 2023. Both countries welcomed the new OECD Global Forum on Technology and the OECD “Declaration on Government Access to Personal data held by private sector entities”, which was adopted last year. The United States and Japan reiterated the need to continue efforts to disseminate internationally the principles of trustworthy government access clarified in the declaration.

5. Explore opportunities to continue working together to advance shared common goals at the International Telecommunication Union. The United States and Japan are committed to working closely together to improve the global policy environment for the digital economy through multilateral and multi-stakeholder engagement, including in the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD ), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (`EC), Group of 20 (G20), Group of 7 (G7), Internet Governance Forum (IGF), Quad, Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and other forums.

6. Explore opportunities to organize one (1) or more workshops in calendar year 2023 focusing on ICT or digital policy issues with multi-stakeholder participation in cooperation with each other and third countries (e.g. on 5G/Open RAN, submarine cables , satellites, data). centers, AI governance, cybersecurity capacity building, digital freedom, etc.). Both countries also recognized the importance of trust and the rule of law as principles that contribute to reliable and secure ICT supply chains and more inclusive and equitable digital connectivity.

7. Agree to rename the “US-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy” to “US-Japan Dialogue on Digital Economy” to acknowledge the increasing digitization of societies and its importance as a basis for supporting economic development and growth while maintaining the purpose of political cooperation and basic operational modality.

8. Agree to promote implementation of the principles of the Declaration on the Future of the Internet (DFI) at a Japan-hosted and US-sponsored side event on the sidelines of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2023 in October in Kyoto, Japan.

U.S. Department of State Ambassador for Cyberspace and Digital Policy Nathaniel Fick led the U.S. delegation, which included officials representing the U.S. Department of State, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the International Trade Administration, and the U.S. National Institute of Standards – Department of Commerce and Technology, the US Agency for International Development, the United States Trade Representative, the Federal Communications Commission and the Federal Trade Commission. The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Interior and Communications (MIC), YOSHIDA Hiroshi, headed the Japanese delegation, which included representatives from the MIC, the Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC), the Digital Agency, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Industry (METI), the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT).

final text