Joint Statement from the 13th U.S.-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 13th U.S.-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy.

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The United States and Japan renewed their shared commitment to open, interoperable, reliable, and secure digital connectivity and information and communication technologies to support growth of the digital economy during the 13th meeting of the U.S.-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy, hosted 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, the free flow of data, advancing digital freedom, and cybersecurity capacity building; public-private collaboration to foster public trust and support for responsible stewardship of the Internet and digital connectivity; and use of information and communications technology (ICT) that contributes to green and sustainable growth.  The U.S. and Japanese governments also welcomed a joint statement submitted 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, companies, and citizens can trust that firms providing equipment, software, and services will support the development of the digital economy, while strengthening cybersecurity and protecting privacy, intellectual property rights, digital freedom, and human rights.  Both countries recognized the importance of promoting secure and reliable global submarine cable networks and continuing relevant information exchanges 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.  Additionally, the two countries concurred on collaborating in the following areas:

1. Continue cooperation in third countries to develop secure 5G and foster enabling 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, including testbed, pilot, or proof-of-concept projects, in third countries.  They highlighted the value of open and interoperable network architectures and telecommunications supplier diversity in fostering and promoting a more diverse, resilient, and secure telecommunications ecosystem.  They also recognized the importance of enhancing cooperation on next-generation network (“6G” or “Beyond 5G”) technologies including research, development, and international standards, toward the goal of realizing more secure, resilient, and energy-efficient networks in the 2030s.

2. Commit to using the Global Digital Connectivity Partnership (GDCP) to discuss identification of priority countries for joint engagement with a shared vision. Both countries also committed to meet quarterly through the GDCP as well as engage on an ad-hoc basis to address specific topics, and to involve the private sector as necessary through the GDCP to build on efforts to promote inclusive Internet connectivity, expand cooperation on secure ICT infrastructure, and advance supplier diversity.

3. Continue bilateral collaboration and multilateral collaboration with members of the Global Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) Forum to operationalize the Global CBPR Forum in early 2023, allowing participation from non-APEC jurisdictions and expanding the benefits for governments, certified companies, and consumers. The Global CBPR Forum supports effective data protection and privacy while facilitating interoperability among data protection regimes in support of Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT).

4. Build consensus on operationalizing Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) and on enabling cross-border data flows, including through the G7 Japanese 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” that was adopted last year.  The United States and Japan reaffirmed the need to continue efforts to disseminate principles for trusted government access clarified in the Declaration internationally.

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

6. Explore opportunities to organize one (1) or more workshops in calendar year 2023 focused on ICT or digital policy topics with multi-stakeholder participation in collaboration 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 rule of law as principles contributing to reliable and secure ICT supply chains and more inclusive and equitable digital connectivity.

7. Concur to rename the “U.S.-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy” as the “U.S.-Japan Dialogue on Digital Economy” to reflect the increasing digitalization of societies and its importance as a foundation to support economic development and growth, while maintaining the policy cooperation purpose and basic operational modality.

8. Concur to promote the implementation of the principles of the Declaration for the Future of the Internet (DFI) at a side event hosted by Japan and supported by the United States on the margins of the 2023 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in October in Kyoto, Japan.

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

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