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Interim Report 3.0 Released as Outcome of Meetings of the Expert Group on the Development of Digital Infrastructures (Data Centers (DCs), etc.)

Japanese

October 4, 2024

Joint Press Release with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications

Manufacturing, Information, and Distribution/Service Policy

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC) have been holding a series of meetings of the Expert Group on the Development of Digital Infrastructures (DCs, etc.) focusing on the development of digital infrastructures, whose importance is increasing. The aim is to not only discuss requirements for the locations of the infrastructures, such as strengthened resilience and secure energy and communications, but also to soundly foster companies that are expected to become leaders in their development from the perspective of economic security.

On October 4, 2024, today, METI and MIC hereby jointly release the Expert Group on the Development of Digital Infrastructures (DCs, etc.): Interim Report 3.0 based on the discussion results of the group.

Purpose

As digitalization is advancing in society and industries, it is expected that companies in all fields, including medical care, education, transportation and agriculture, will launch new businesses that leverage data and solve societal challenges through such businesses. Amid such expectations, higher importance has been placed on digital infrastructures that play a role in collecting, transmitting and processing data, such as 5G, communication networks and data centers (DCs).

In light of the Interim Report and Interim Report 2.0 of the Expert Group, the Government of Japan has been working in unison to advance measures for promoting the decentralization of DC locations.

Amid this, in Japan, as well as other countries, more and more companies have newly been investing in DCs, coupled with the introduction and advancement of cloud computing and AI. In particular, the changes in the role and use of DCs and their dramatic expansion in accordance with the rise of generative AI have driven Japan to enter a period of transformation in which it is difficult to ascertain digital infrastructure from a conventional perspective.

Against this backdrop, METI and MIC resumed a series of meetings of the Expert Group from May 2024. Bringing together experts and company stakeholders who are involved in the field of digital infrastructures, the group has held discussions on ideal approaches to the development of DCs in light of recent environmental changes affecting digital infrastructures.

On October 4, today, METI and MIC hereby jointly release the Expert Group on the Development of Digital Infrastructures (DCs, etc.): Interim Report 3.0 based on the discussion results of the group. The ministries will consider this interim report and appropriately advance the development of digital infrastructures.

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