Featured Committee: The Internet Economy Task Force (IETF) Hosts Important Events on Internet Governance
The Internet is an important driver for growth, not just for the ICT sector, but for every business in Japan today. The Internet Economy Task Force was set up to address issues pertinent to developing and supporting the growth of the Internet Economy between Japan and the United States, and among the economies of the Asia-Pacific region.
On June 20th, experts discussed the issue of Internet governance, focusing on efforts by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) to increase its role in Internet governance.
Professor Jim Foster, School of Media & Governance at Keio University, chaired the session. Mr. William Fitzgerald, Senior Policy Analyst from Google Inc., presented alongside Mr. Toru Nakaya, Director, International Policy Division, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication, Japan.
Mr. Fitzgerald spoke of the benefits today’s open multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance provides, quoting research published last year from the Nomura Research Institute finding the Internet contributed $100 billion to Japan’s economy in 2010. He stressed the continuing relevance of the multi-stakeholder model of Internet governance for innovation and economic growth online and warned against efforts by governments, through the ITU, to exert control over the Internet.
Mr. Nakaya provided an excellent overview of Internet governance issues. He explained the various challenges, coming from many sources, and outlined the prospects for a number of important upcoming international meetings where these issues will be discussed. The Japanese government wants to work closely with the U.S. government and industry in pushing back against efforts to unduly regulate the Internet.
We hope you might join future IETF events since the Internet is a technology and a platform that impacts every business in the Chamber. Please contact Kyoko Nishikubo <
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>; at the ACCJ, if you are interested in getting more involved with the Internet Economy Task Force.
