Mr. KONO Taro, Minister for Digital Transformation, visited the U.S., U.K., France, Belgium and Germany
Published on January 19, 2024
Minister Kono visited the United States, United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and Germany from January 8 to 16, 2024. He exchanged views with the related ministers of each country and discussed a wide range of topics in the digital field, including the progress in IAP (Institutional Arrangement for Partnership), an international mechanism to operationalize DFFT (Data Free Flow with Trust), international data governance, measures and cooperation in cybersecurity, and the use of the generative AI. He also had meetings with digital and cybersecurity companies, engaging in extensive discussions on technological advancements and future perspectives.
- Meetings between the ministers.
- Visit and discussions with digital and cybersecurity companies and organizations.
Meetings between the ministers
1. United States
Schedule for the visit: January 8 and 9, 2024.
Visited the U.S. Department of State and had a meeting with Ambassador at Large Fick from the Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy. During the meeting, they confirmed cooperation at the OECD, including on Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT), and deepened discussion on international data governance.
(Meeting with Mr. Nathaniel C. Fick, Ambassador at Large, Bureau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, Department of State)
2. United Kingdom
Schedule for the visit: January 10 and 11, 2024
Minister Kono met with Deputy Prime Minister, Mr. Dowden, and Secretary of State for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), Ms. Donnellan, respectively to discuss DFFT/IAP and bilateral cooperation on international data governance and government digitalization under the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC).
(Meeting with Mr. Oliver Dowden, Deputy Prime Minister, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Secretary of State, Cabinet Office)
(Meeting with Ms. Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT))
3. France
Schedule for the visit: January 12 and 13, 2024
Visited the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and met with the OECD Secretary-General, Mr. Cormann. They discussed advancing efforts related to DFFT/IAP and the collaboration towards the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting, which Japan will chair in May this year.
(Meeting with Mr. Mathias Cormann, OECD Secretary-General)
4. Belgium
Schedule for the visit: January 14 and 15, 2024
Minister Kono met with the State Secretary for Digitalization, Mr. Michel, and discussed digital policies regarding AI, data, digital ID, and cloud computing. They appreciated their past cooperation and affirmed future knowledge-sharing based on the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC).
(Meeting with Mr. Mathieu Michel, State Secretary for Digitalization, in charge of Administrative Simplification, Privacy and Buildings Administration attached to the Prime Minister.)
5. Germany
Schedule for the visit: January 16, 2024
Minister Kono met with the Federal Minister for Digital and Transport, Dr. Wissing. They discussed the progress of DFFT/IAP, international data governance, cooperation at the G7, and the use of AI in public administration. He also exchanged views with members of the Bundestag who have a strong interest in digital fields.
(Meeting with Dr. Volker Wissing, Federal Minister for Digital and Transport)
Visit and discussions with digital and cybersecurity companies and organizations
During this round of visits, Minister Kono actively engaged in discussions with various digital and cybersecurity companies and organizations, with industry representatives expressing high expectations for the advancement of DFFT. He also visited startup companies with advanced technological skills in areas such as cloud computing and cybersecurity and discussed challenges in the digital and cybersecurity fields.
(Discussion with the U.S. industries.)
(Discussion with the digital and cybersecurity companies.)
(Discussion with the cybersecurity organizations.)