Washington, DC - The United States and Japan emphasized their continued commitment to an open, interoperable, reliable, and secure Internet during the ninth meeting of the U.S.-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy in Washington, DC, on July 23 and 24, 2018.

The dialogue included discussions with private sector representatives from both countries on fifth generation mobile technologies (5G) and secure future Internet infrastructure; promoting cross-border data flows; international harmonization of regulatory frameworks and privacy; and information and communications technology (ICT) policy issues related to trending technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT). The meetings also included a joint session with the U.S.-Japan Cyber Dialogue on cybersecurity, which focused on the U.S. and Japan cyber strategies, managing cyber risk, and best practices for information sharing between government and industry. Both countries welcomed the joint statement to the U.S. and Japanese Governments submitted by private sector representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan and Keidanren.

The United States and Japan emphasized their continued commitment to work together to enhance the global digital economy policy environment and resolved to continue close cooperation in international fora. They confirmed the importance of working together closely in preparation for the 2018 International Telecommunication Union Plenipotentiary Conference in Dubai, as well as for digital economy focused discussions during Japan’s 2019 G20 presidency. In particular, they emphasized the importance of an inclusive, open, and transparent system of Internet governance based on the multi-stakeholder approach. They also committed to continue close cooperation in the WTO to work toward negotiations on digital trade rules, in pursuit of the shared goal of a high-standard, commercially meaningful outcome.

Both countries reaffirmed their commitment to promote cross border data flows and effective information privacy protection, and to work closely together to expand participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cross-Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) system. In addition, they discussed the need for the CBPR system to serve as a foundation for a globally interoperable data protection framework and committed to work cooperatively in support of interoperable privacy frameworks in international fora, and on a bilateral basis. Both countries reaffirmed the importance of working closely together to promote a free and fair digital trade environment. They emphasized the importance of challenging third-country restrictions on digital trade, including data localization measures; restrictions on the free flow of information; and requirements to transfer source code or other technology as a condition of market access. Both countries recognized that such trade-restrictive measures are often disguised as cybersecurity protections. Both countries affirmed the importance of protecting intellectual property—including trade secrets and other confidential business information—and of combatting ICT-enabled theft of intellectual property for commercial gain.

They also confirmed continued cooperation on infrastructure in third countries, including digital infrastructure in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. Participants welcomed progress on research and development cooperation in areas including IoT, smart cities, next generation networking, and cybersecurity. Both countries also recognized the importance of continuously discussing cybersecurity and protecting the digital economy. Alongside the dialogue, both countries also held an expert-level consultation for more in-depth discussions on respective regulatory developments, including in areas of broadband policy, broadcasting, and foreign ownership.

Robert Strayer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Cyber and International Communications and Information Policy at the Department of State; James Sullivan, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Services at the Department of Commerce; and officials representing the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Science Foundation participated from the United States. Director-General Mabito Yoshida of the Global Strategy Bureau from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), with the participation of officials representing MIC; the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; the Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC), Cabinet Secretariat; the National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC), Cabinet Secretariat; the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT); and the Information-technology Promotion Agency (IPA) participated from Japan.