Minister for Digital Transformation Kono went on business trips to France, Belgium, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

From January 8 to January 16, 2023, Minister for Digital Transformation visited the French Republic, the Kingdom of Belgium, the United States of America, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and the Federal Republic of Germany, and exchanged opinions with digital-related ministers and experts from each country on specific ways to promote the free and reliable flow of data (DFFT).

In the run-up to G7 Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting in Takasaki, Gunma, which will be held on April 29 and 30, 2023, we proposed the establishment of a "Institutional Arrangement for Partnership (IAP)" to realize DFFT, and held a dialogue to obtain cooperation on this idea. Many countries expressed their expectations for Japanese leadership.

In addition to exchanging opinions with industry, we visited companies and facilities that are closely related to the local digital field.
We will leverage the knowledge gained from this trip and the trust we have built with digital-related ministers from various countries to lead G7 Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting in Takasaki, Gunma to success through continuous dialogue.

1. Visit to the French Republic

I visited the Republic of France from January 8 to 9.

(1) Meeting with H. E. Mr. Barro, Minister of State for Digital transition and Telecommunications, Ministry of Economy, Finance, Industry and Digital Sovereignty

I visited the Ministry of Economy, Finance, Industry and Digital Sovereignty and met with H. E. Mr. Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Digital Transition and Telecommunications. In December last year, we had an online dialogue on the promotion of DFFT and cooperation toward the G7. At this face-to-face meeting in Paris, we were able to have more detailed and meaningful discussions. We had a dialogue on the necessity of cooperation toward the promotion of data utilization and data connections, the utilization of cloud computing, and the strengthening of cyber resiliency. In DFFT, we agreed on the necessity of developing a safe international data distribution environment by emphasizing not only the regulation aspect but also the technology aspect.

(2) Meeting with Under-Secretary-General of the OECD (development Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) Joaquin Knudsen

I visited the OECD Secretariat and met with Mr. Ulrik Vestergaard Knudsen, Deputy Secretary General. This was the first meeting since the G20 Digital Economy Ministers' Meeting last year, but this time, both sides, including experts, were able to actively exchange opinions toward the realization of DFFT, including international cooperation between the public and private sectors. We also had a dialogue on the necessity of emerging technologies such as AI and metaverse.
They expressed their gratitude for the Japanese leadership that has been working to promote DFFT since former Prime Minister Abe proposed it in 2019, and expressed their expectations for the Japanese government to promote the creation of a mechanism to realize it as the G7 Presidency this year.

2 Visit to the European Union (EU)

I visited the European Union (EU) in Belgium from January 9 to 10.

(1) Meeting with Mr. Margrethe Vestager, Vice-President of the European Commission

I visited the European Commission and met with H. E. Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission. We exchanged views on a wide range of digital-related policies, including shared recognition of the current situation in the digital market, responses to emerging technologies, and discussions on promoting Issue, which will lead to the resolution of existing DFFT issues. We shared our views on cooperation based on the Japan-EU Digital Partnership concluded last year (, , where the Digital Partnership with the EU was launched), and on the hope that the results of this cooperation will lead to the G7.

3. Visit to the United

I visited the United States of America from January 10 to 12.

(1) Meeting with Ambassador Fick, Office of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, Department of State

I visited the Department of State and met with H. E. Ambassador at Large Nathaniel Fick, Beareau of Cyberspace and Digital Policy, U.S. Department of State. We introduced Digital Agency's efforts and exchanged views on our interests in digital and cybersecurity. As countries establish various regulation, we received support for promoting secure and reliable international data flow through a technological approach. I promised to further strengthen our relations and to meet again at the G7 Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting.

(2) Meeting with Mr. Lawrence Graves, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Commerce

I visited the Department of Commerce and met with Hon. Don Graves, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Minister for Digital Transformation conveyed its thoughts on the specific promotion of DFFT, and we were able to have forward-looking discussions toward strengthening relations between the two countries. We also exchanged views on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum computers, and responses to Open RAN and cybersecurity.

(3) Meeting with Mr. Richard Silvers, Under-Secretary of Homeland Security

I visited the Department of Homeland Security and met with Hon. Robert Silvers, Under Secretary for Strategy, Policy, and Plans, U.S. Department of Homeland Security. We exchanged information on responses to cybersecurity and major technologies. We confirmed that Trust (reliability) in DFFT is important from the perspective of security, and that we have the same recognition on eID, which will become increasingly important in the future.

(4) Meeting with U.S. Trade Representative of Thailand

I visited the USTR and held a meeting with H. E. Ambassador Katherine Tai, United States Trade Representative. This was our first meeting since we had an online dialogue last December. We exchanged views on how privacy and Trust (reliability) can be secured in international data distribution and how PETs (privacy enhancing technologies) can be utilized. As the impact of digitalization on the economy of the entire world becomes increasingly important, we were able to discuss how the two countries can cooperate in the future, involving the Global South.

(5) Meeting with USDS (United States Digital Service) Mathur CDO

I visited USDS and met with Mr. Ankit Mathur, Chief Delivery Officer, U.S. Digital Service (CDO). private sector is actively utilizing organization's know-how in the government's DX through direct employment and contracts of advanced digital human resources. In addition, procurement is also working on digitalization reform as a measure to strengthen governance, and as organization, which is responsible for the same government's DX, we had a meaningful exchange of information on both efforts. We promised to continuously exchange best practices between the two sides in the future.

(6) Lecture at CSIS (Center for Strategic and International Studies)

At CSIS, I gave a lecture and had a conversation with Director Hamre. We had a lively discussion. We introduced our views on the situation of digital society in the world and Japan, introduced DX led by Digital Agency, advocated the establishment of Institutional Arrangement for Partnership (IAP) to promote DFFT, and expressed our vision to involve G7 and willing countries.
You can watch the lecture below.
Leading Japan's Digital Transformation: A Discussion with Kono Taro CSIS Events

(7) Lecture at Georgetown University

At Minister for Digital Transformation Kono's alma mater, Georgetown University, I gave a lecture on Digital Agency's efforts and "TrustedWeb." I talked about how to "secure Trust with technology" for reliable and free data distribution, that is, an approach to ensure the reliability of international data distribution by utilizing distributed technology and privacy-enhancing technology. I also received active questions from students and professors, and had a friendly discussion with humor.

4. Visit to the United Kingdom (United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

From January 13 to 15, I visited the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

(1) Meeting with Donelan, Minister of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS)

I visited Wiltshire and met with H. E. Ms. Donelan, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. We exchanged views on the realization of DFFT and the promotion of emerging technologies such as online security and AI, and deepened mutual understanding through in-depth discussions.
Two years ago, the United Kingdom held the G7 Presidency and announced the "DFFT Roadmap" as an annex to the outcome document. We promised to work together to ensure that the outcomes of the Roadmap are continuously implemented.

(2) GDS (Government Digital Service) Office Tour

I visited GDS in the United Kingdom. We signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with GDS in Digital Agency last December. In addition to my visit to , I exchanged views with the team, including Mr. Tom Reed, the Chief Executive Officer of the Government Digital Service, on Public Personal Authentication in My Number Card, etc., and the recruitment and activity of digital human resources in public institutions. I was also inspired by the creation of an office environment, such as the ability to see the number and amount of payments made on the day by the online payment system, such as government fees provided by GDS, in real time on the dashboard in the office. I promised to continue to hold regular workshops and promote human resource exchanges. () Memorandam of Cooperation (MoC)

5. Visit to the Federal Republic of

I visited the Federal Republic of Germany on January 15-16.

(1) Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport Meeting with Federal Minister of Digital and Transport Vissing

I visited the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport and met with Minister Vissing. The G7 Chairs last year and this year discussed the promotion of DFFT, data connections, the significance of interoperability, etc., and also discussed the promotion of the utilization of AI, OpenRAN, etc. I also received a voice of appreciation for Japanese leadership, and promised to inherit and promote the results brought about by last year's German Chair and to meet again at the G7 Digital and Technology Ministers' Meeting in April. We also exchanged views on common Issue, such as the abolition of regulations on paper and in-person processes for DX of the entire society.

6 Visit to Digital Companies and Dialogue with Industry

On this trip, I actively engaged in dialogue with the industry, and many companies doing business globally expressed strong expectations for the promotion of DFFT. I also visited start-up companies with high technical capabilities (mainly data analysis, AI, and image analysis), and received orders from the government. I also saw examples of start-up companies growing into global companies while improving their technical capabilities. I would like to consider ways to increase opportunities for start-up companies in government procurement to utilize technology in the future.

Contact

Digital Agency Strategy & Organization Group International Affairs
In charge: Yahata and Matsuo
Phone: 070 7416 9903 (Yahata), 070 7416 9940 (Matsuo)