Following is the text of a joint statement issued by the United States of America and Japan at the conclusion of the United States - Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy.

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The United States and Japan held the fourth Director General-level meeting of the U.S.-Japan Policy Cooperation Dialogue on the Internet Economy in Washington, D.C. on October 18 and 19, 2012.

The dialogue highlighted common positions on the following important Internet and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) topics:

(1) Internet Policy Issues

Participants recognized the importance of international coordination on Internet policy issues, such as preserving the successful multi-stakeholder system of Internet governance, protecting personal data online, and assuring the free flow of information for the further development of the Internet Economy. In order to preserve the open Internet and protect Internet freedom, participants reaffirmed the importance of the three activities identified in the thirdDirector General-level meeting:

· Coordination on bilateral Internet policy issues;

· Collaboration on Internet policy issues in international fora; and

· Encouraging other countries to develop principles consistent with the "United States-Japan Trade Principles for Information and Communication Technology Services"

Participants underscored that the United States and Japan will endeavor to preserve and promote the free flow of information as a guiding principle for deliberations of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT-12) to be held in Dubai, UAE, in December.

(2) Cloud Computing Service

Representatives from both U.S. and Japanese industries jointly submitted the "U.S.-Japan Cloud Computing Private Sector Working Group Report" * to advise the U.S.-Japan Cloud Computing Working Group, established earlier in 2012, on industry priorities concerning cloud computing market issues. This report noted that cloud computing services can support the development of a wide range of industries, can reduce the risk of local disruptions caused by natural disasters, and can significantly increase business efficiency. For these reasons, industry representatives suggested the following activities:

· U.S-Japan collaboration for establishing an international framework to support cloud computing.

· Promoting the use of cloud computing in developing countries and reducing the digital divide.

· Considering a range of policy issues, including: privacy, cloud computing security, digital content, interoperability, and portability.

*The report may be accessed at: http://www.accj.or.jp/en/about/committees/committee-materials/cat_view/13-materials/61-internet-economy-task-force- and http://www.keidanren.or.jp/policy/2012/073.html

After receiving the first report from the Cloud Computing Working Group and taking into consideration the input from the joint industry group, dialogue participants discussed issues regarding cloud computing development. Participants concurred that the Working Group should continue its discussions while giving consideration to the balance between free flows of information and personal data protection.

(3) E-Government, Open Government and Open Data

Participants acknowledged the importance of using ICT, including cloud computing technology, in public administration, and concurred that they intend to share best practices. Participants also concurred that they intend to share information on measures for opening government data -- such as that related to disasters, health, etc. -- for innovative uses by citizens and industry. Participants also emphasized their view that open government serves to promote transparency, fight corruption, empower citizens, and help harness new technologies in support of effective and accountable government.

Koichi Endo, Japan's Government Chief Information Officer and Steven VanRoekel, the U.S. Federal Chief Information Officer, in particular, exchanged opinions regarding the realization of effective e-government and the benefits of government adoption of cloud services. The two plan to exchange views periodically.

(4) Continued Cyber Security Cooperation for Commercial Networks

Reaffirming that international cooperation is vital for addressing cross-border cyber security challenges, participants acknowledged the work begun under cooperative research and development efforts. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security started sharing network operations data relevant to cyber security technology development, collected under its Protected Repository for the Defense of Infrastructure Against Cyber Threats (PREDICT) project, with the Proactive Response Against Cyber-attacks Through International Collaborative Exchange (PRACTICE) project implemented by Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC). MIC and DHS also started technical discussions regarding the R&D efforts of the PRACTICE project. These discussions and data sharing were both outcomes of the thirdDirector General-level meeting.

In addition, participants acknowledged the importance of assuring the security of smartphones and cloud computing services, concurring that they will continue to share best practices.

Moreover, participants concurred that they should deepen U.S.-Japan collaboration on cyber security, such as cooperation on cyber security awareness activities in 2013.

(5) Protecting Children Online

Participants recognized the importance of protecting children online and concurred that they will continue to promote voluntary efforts by industry. Also, they recognized the importance of analyzing children's internet literacy in line with the Recommendation of the OECD Council on the Protection of Children Online.

In addition, participants concurred that they will endeavor to share information on the latest public sector policy trends and continue to encourage the U.S. and Japanese private sectors to exchange opinions and information on improving protection of children online.

(6) Consumer Data Protection

Participants discussed the importance of the transparency of smartphone applications with respect to user privacy and improving smartphone literacy. They concurred that they intend to continue to share best practices and updates on consumer data protection, to ensure an environment of safe ICT use and the continued development of the mobile market.

Also, participants acknowledged the importance of assuring a balance between the free flow of information and the protection of privacy. Participants concurred that they expect to continue to emphasize the importance of implementing the APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules System, while also pursuing international efforts, including collaboration with the EU, to promote the interoperability of regional approaches to privacy. Participants planned to continue to exchange information on international data protection efforts.

(7) IPv6 Deployment

Participants updated on the status of Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) deployment in both countries, given the importance of smooth deployment of IPv6-based services and products. Participants concurred that they intend to continue sharing best practices and status updates on IPv6 deployment.

(8) Universal Service

Participants concurred that they intend to continue to share information on policies regarding universal service.

(9) Spam

Participants concurred that they will endeavor to continue sharing information on policies regarding unwanted and unsolicited email, or "spam."

Participants:

Ichiro Fujisaki, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States, Shun Sakurai, Director General of the Global ICT Strategy Bureau from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), and officials representing MIC, the Information Technology Policy Office, the Government Chief Information Office, the National Information Security Center, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry participated in the dialogue from Japan. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, Ambassador Philip Verveer, and officials representing the Department of State; the Executive Office of the President; the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology; National Telecommunications and Information Administration; and International Trade Administration; the Department of Homeland Security; the Federal Communications Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission participated in the dialogue from the United States. In addition, representatives from both U.S. and Japanese industry participated in some of the discussions.

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