Makishima, Minister for Digital Transformation and Minister of State for cybersecurity Affairs, visited the United States

Mr. MAKISHIMA Karen, Secretary of State for Minister for Digital Transformation and cybersecurity, visited the United States of America from July 11 to 21, 2022, to exchange views with government officials and others. He also visited the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Wilson Center.

1. Outline of Digital-related Destination Exchange of Opinions

Discussion with Mathur, Director of Performance Management (CDO), United States Digital Services (USDS), July 12

On July 12, Secretary Makishima visited the US Digital Service (USDS) in (https://www.usds.gov/), and exchanged views with Mr. Ankit Mathur, Chief Delivery Officer (CDO) of the United States. Ankito

(Exchange of Opinions)

(Center: Mathur CDO)

As part of the sharing of experiences between Japan and the United States in digitalization, Minister Makishima introduced the history of the creation of Digital Agency, Digital Agency's efforts, semi-public sector's data strategy, and in particular, efforts in Vaccination Record System (VRS) amid the spread of the novel coronavirus. In response, Mathur CDO introduced the operation of organization, human resource management, and how to proceed with projects in order to respond to the various Issue facing government systems.

In addition, Minister Makishima and Mathur CDO exchanged views on what kind of cooperation is possible in the fields of Issue management and digital human resources development for various organization solutions, which are USDS's strengths, and confirmed that they will continue working-level discussions going forward.

2. Outline of the Exchange of Views on cybersecurity

(1) Exchange of views with National Cyber Secretary Inglis (July 12)

On July 12, Minister Makishima held an online exchange of views with Mr. Samuel Youd Inglis, The National Cyber Director of (https://www.whitehouse.gov/oncd/), (* This was posted online due to the convenience of the other party.)

(Left: Secretary Inglis)

(Exchange of Opinions)

At the beginning, Secretary Makishima stated that Japan is working on digitalization and cybersecurity as two wheels of a car, and explained Japan's cybersecurity Strategies, efforts such as critical infrastructure protection, and the experience of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. In response, Secretary Inglis stated that he appreciated Japan's efforts to date, including the Tokyo Olympic Games, and that he would like to share knowledge with Japan and the United States. Secretary Inglis also explained the role of the National Cyber Secretary, the cyber strategy of the United States, critical infrastructure protection, and public-private partnership efforts.

Minister Makishima and Secretary Inglis also exchanged views on recent trends in cyberattacks.

Lastly, Secretary Inglis expressed his hope to visit Japan at an early date, and both sides confirmed that they would continue to exchange views as good counterparts in order to further strengthen cooperation between Japan and the United States in cybersecurity.

(2) Exchange of views with the Director of the Easterly cybersecurity Infrastructure and security Authority (CISA) (July 13)

On July 13, Minister Makishima held an exchange of opinions with Ms. Jen Easterly, Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) of the Jen Easterly cybersecurity Infrastructure and security Authority (CISA) at CISA ( https://www.cisa.gov/).

(Right: Secretary Easterly)

At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Makishima stated that he attaches importance to the cooperative relationship between NISC and CISA, and explained Japan's cybersecurity Strategies, efforts such as critical infrastructure protection and public-private partnerships, and the experience of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. In response, Secretary Easterly mentioned that CISA also highly appreciates the cooperation with NISC, and explained CISA's efforts on critical infrastructure protection and public-private partnerships.

Finally, Secretary Makishima and Secretary Easterly shared the view that cooperation between NISC and CISA will be further strengthened.

(3) Exchange of views with The Sylvers Under Secretary for Strategic, Policy and Planning, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) (July 12)

On July 12, Secretary Makishima held an exchange of views with Mr. Robert The Sylvers, Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy and Plans of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at https://www.dhs.gov/).

(Right: Vice Minister of the The Sylvers)

At the beginning of the meeting, Minister Makishima stated that he attaches importance to the cooperative relationship between NISC and CISA, a subsidiary of DHS, and explained Japan's cybersecurity strategies, efforts such as critical infrastructure protection and public-private partnerships, as well as the experience at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. In response, Vice-Minister The Sylvers and others explained cybersecurity's efforts in DHS, centered on CISA, as cybersecurity is an important Issue for DHS. In particular, Vice-Minister The Sylvers explained the status of the activities of the newly established Cyber Security Review Commission (*), which he chairs.

Finally, Secretary Makishima and Vice-Minister The Sylvers shared the view that they would further develop cooperation between NISC and DHS, including CISA.

* The Cyber Security Examination Commission was established in February this year by the Executive Order on cybersecurity Improvement at Federal Agencies issued in May 2021. The Government and cybersecurity jointly examine and evaluate serious private business cases and make specific recommendations for cybersecurity improvement.

3. Lectures, etc.

(1) Exchange of opinions at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce (July 12)

On July 12, Minister Makishima visited the US Chamber of Commerce ( https://www.uschamber.com/), and exchanged opinions.

(Exchange of Opinions)

In response to Vice President Freeman's welcoming speech at the beginning of the meeting, Minister Makishima expressed his gratitude for the fact that business leaders representing the United States gathered today. He also mentioned the significance of Japan-U. S. relations, and gave a keynote speech on the Japanese position and efforts on priority Issue, cybersecurity, DX and Digital Agency efforts in the 2023 Japan-hosted G7, including reliable and free data distribution (DFFT), and digital health.

Next, I had a frank exchange of opinions with representatives of member companies of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on a wide range of fields including digital, cybersecurity, etc.

(2) Lecture at the Wilson Center (July 13)

On July 13, Mr. Makishima visited the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars ( https://www.wilsoncenter.org/), and delivered a speech.

Under the chairmanship of the Wilson Center, lectures and questions were given in response to questions from the Center on a wide range of issues, including the results of Digital Agency's efforts, My Number System, local digitalization, Vision for a Digital Garden City Nation, cybersecurity, the results of the 2023 Japan-sponsored G7 Conference on Reliable Free Data Flow (DFFT), and education on digital.

(Exchange of Opinions)

4. Other

During his stay in Washington, DC, Secretary Makishima also exchanged views with John F. Kennedy, Wilson Center public policy fellow and President Emeritus of the University of Colorado, ( https://www.wilsoncenter.org/person/mark-kennedy); Rep. Langevin (https://langevin.house.gov/); and Chief Executive of Price Rock Creek Global Advisors (https://rockcreekadvisor.com/daniel-m-price/), who commented, "We have Minister for Digital Transformation, but the United States does not have Minister for Digital Transformation, and we envy you."

Summary

During my visit to the United States, I met with government officials and others to build a cooperative relationship with the United States, confirmed cooperation toward the 2023 Japan-hosted G7 Conference, and conveyed Japanese efforts in the digital field and cybersecurity field through lectures at think tanks and exchanges of views with relevant lawmakers.

This was a meaningful overseas trip that will lead to the strengthening of Japan-U. S. bilateral relations and the Japanese presence in the United States in the digital and cybersecurity fields. Taking this opportunity, I will further strengthen Japan-U. S. cooperation.