Stakeholders’ Conference on Digital Technologies for Trust was held
Published on March 31, 2023
On March 29 (Wed), 2023, “Stakeholders’ Conference on Digital Technologies for Trust,” was held as a related event of the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Meeting in Takasaki, Gunma, at the Tokyo Prince Hotel.
The event was attended by the government officials from G7 countries, invited countries, invited institutions, companies and academic groups involved in trust services, and featured presentations and discussions on the efforts to ensure trust for the operationalization of the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT).
G7 Digital and Tech Ministers’ Meeting
Opening Remarks
Opening Remarks by Mr. AKAISHI Koichi, Vice-Minister for Digital Policy, Digital Agency, Government of Japan, started with the purpose of the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Meeting and gratitude to the participants. He then outlined the past initiatives of the DFFT and referred to the significance of Japan’s G7 Presidency this year. He explained the circumstances of the DFFT discussions and the importance of trust. He also suggested that the G7 and the G20 digital agenda, chaired by India this year, should be mutually shared to ensure trust in cyberspace on a global scale, with trust as a common challenge for all countries. In the end, he mentioned the discussions of this meeting and expressed his expectations for the operationalization of the DFFT in light of G7 this year.
Session 1 International Mutual Recognition for Achieving DFFT and the Situation of each country
Session 1 presented the International Mutual Recognition for Achieving DFFT and the situation of each country.
Professor TEZUKA Satoru of Keio University made a presentation on the significance of international mutual recognition and its concept for future international development, stating that it would lead to definite benefits.
As for the role expected for governments, he presented a view that it is important to work on systems and recognition, promote technical standards and build a reliable basis in the private sector, and then have both sides work together through an international framework. He also mentioned the increasing momentum and the importance of international collaboration through the G7 as well as with the G20 and other Asian countries.
Session 2 Presentation on European Context
In Session 2, Ms. Lorena Boix ALONSO, Director of Cybersecurity and Trust, European Commission, appeared in a video message to present her view on the Japan-EU Digital Partnership and efforts in various fields, particularly in mutual authentication initiatives to achieve trust, and the expansion of these efforts to the G7 and ASEAN countries.
She also mentioned the importance of trusted data sources for business, especially on specific initiatives such as the “European Digital Identity Wallet” that the European Commission is developing within the EU.
Session 3 Presentation on India Context
Session 3 was presented online from India by two panelists and a moderator. Mr. Arvind KUMAR, Controller of Certifying Authorities (CCA), Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology and Mr. Aashish BANATI, Deputy Controller, Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, as the panelists and Mr. Vijayakumar MANJUNATHA, Secretary General, Asia PKI Consortium as a moderator.
The presentation highlighted the growing importance of data flow in India, not only in business but also in the daily lives of the people, the significance of collaboration with the G7, and the growing importance of trusted digital IDs in initiatives such as digital ID wallets and mutual recognition of digital payment systems.
In addition, they introduced the use cases of e-signatures based on the national Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) framework, the establishment of a trusted ecosystem, and the significance of international mutual recognition and future Initiatives.
Session 4 Policy Initiatives of Trusted Web and G7
In Session 4, Mr. KUROSAKA Tatsuya, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kuwadate Incorporated, presented the basic concept and initiatives of the "Trusted Web," a Japanese policy that secures trust in data exchange through the distributed digital system. He stressed the idea that "natural trust," like a handshake between people, is the basis for reliable data flow, and presented his thoughts on how to realize such “natural trust” in the digital space, including the Internet, and what kind of technological approaches are necessary to achieve such concept.
Session 5 Presentation on Use Case Projects in “Trusted Web” Initiative
Two private sector initiatives were introduced as use cases of the "Trusted Web.” Mr. KIKUKAWA Yuya, CEO of ORPHE Inc, explained a highly reliable medical data transfer system for accumulating and utilizing data acquired from smart footwear and others, and the examples of data application using this system.
Mr. OKAMOTO Rintaro of DNP (Dai Nippon Printing Co., Ltd.) introduced how the company's smartphone application "May ii" with its theme of "kyo-jo (mutual aid)" achieves trust in data flow.
Session 6 Panel Discussion on G7 Policy Initiatives
Session 6 featured a discussion among panelists by the government officials from G7 countries. Facilitated by Mr. ZAMMA Toshiyuki, Head of International Strategy, Digital Agency, Government of Japan as a moderator, Mr. NARITA Tatsuji, Head of the Secretariat for the Headquarters for Digital Market Competition, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of Japan, Mr. Paul JACKSON, Director on Technology and Innovation, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, Government of Canada, Ms. Caroline COPLEY, Head of Digital Identity International Strategy and Legislation, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Government of the UK presented as the panelists.
Regarding the policy initiatives of the G7 countries to improve trust in data exchange, the panel shared examples of the introduction and impact of eID as a past initiative of each country, including specific examples of services for people and businesses, as well as the effects of such initiatives. Moreover, they shared their past learnings and experiences, as well as discussions and directions for future initiatives. The panel also discussed international and public-private collaboration on eID and reconfirmed the role of the G7 in specific efforts to extend technologies to ensure trust.
Session 7 Regulatory Base Registries
In Session 7, Mr. Johannes FRITZ, CEO of the St. Gallen Endowment, presented the initiatives by the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, in cooperation with the World Economic Forum The Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Japan to enhance transparency. During the presentation, he introduced “The G7 Data Governance Hub”, a solution to provide online access to information in the registry of data-related regulations of each country, built on the results of existing research at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, which will be linked to an international framework for public-private partnerships aiming to be approved for establishment at the G7 Digital and Tech Ministers' Meeting next month.
Closing Remarks
As Closing Remarks, Mr. ZAMMA Toshiyuki, Head of International Strategy, Digital Agency, concluded the event with overall summary and gratitude to all involved, and expressed his expectation of the further development in future initiatives.
