#Japan #Tokyo #Digital Safety #Trust and Safety #Collaboration Hub

Trust and Safety Association's Inaugural Event

On June 4, 2025, the Trust and Safety Association, headquartered in Shibuya, Tokyo, held its inaugural event at the STATIO Nihon Keizai University in Shibuya Sakura Stage. This gathering brought together approximately 60 stakeholders from various sectors, including business, government, academia, and non-profit organizations, marking the initiation of a collaborative hub aimed at establishing reliability and safety in the digital landscape.

Welcome Address by Chairman Takaaki Kanaya

The opening remarks were delivered by Chairman Takaaki Kanaya, who emphasized the significance of the association’s establishment amidst growing complexities and challenges in the digital environment. He articulated, “As issues such as misinformation, slander, and online scams become increasingly sophisticated, the demand for reliability and safety in society is rising. We recognize the necessity for collaboration among industry, government, and academia to advance technology, policy, and education synergistically. This association aims to serve as a hub for various communities, promoting collaboration towards creating a safer digital society.”

Message from Parliamentary Secretary Hidetoshi Kawasaki

Following Chairman Kanaya's speech, a video message from Hidetoshi Kawasaki, the Parliamentary Secretary for Internal Affairs and Communications, was presented. He expressed strong support and anticipation for the association's initiatives. Images of his message can also be found on the official website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Five Pillars of Activity

During the event, Director General and Secretary Kiyotaka Tanaka outlined the association's core objectives and practical approaches. He particularly emphasized the need for a concerted effort to address social challenges such as cyberbullying and misinformation through technology, policy, and education.

The five pillars of activity introduced include:
1. Knowledge Sharing on Countermeasures
2. Human Resource Development
3. Practical Literacy Education
4. Advocacy
5. Industry Collaboration

Tanaka also highlighted future engagement plans, such as participation in the DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION initiative led by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and membership in the Global Anti Scam Alliance (GASA). These efforts aim to leverage T&S's expertise in addressing the pressing issues at hand.

Participation from Industry Leaders

The establishment event also witnessed participation from various member companies representing sectors like AI services, content platforms, matching services, and news-related services. Notable members include CyberAgent, Enito Group, Jimoty, LINE Yahoo, Microsoft Japan, Note, OpenAI Japan, Recruit, SmartNews, TikTok Japan, YouTube, among others. Their participation illustrated the growing interest in Trust and Safety and the anticipation of future collaborations.

Bridging Practical and Policy Discussions

The closing message by Hiroki Yoshida, the Planning Officer of the Information Usage Support Office at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, highlighted the importance of creating private networks in Trust and Safety. He expressed aspirations for ongoing dialogues and collaborations between practical aspects and policy.

Future Initiatives

Moving forward, the Trust and Safety Association plans to:

• - Regularly hold exchange events, called T&S Social, for knowledge sharing on countermeasures among members.
• - Host T&S Fireside Chat sessions featuring guest speakers.
• - Develop and deliver foundational courses titled T&S University.
• - Conduct trial operations of a signal-sharing network regarding harmful information and scam trends through GASA.
• - Develop and implement practical literacy education programs via DIGITAL POSITIVE ACTION.

Recognizing the sensitive nature of some areas, closed settings may sometimes be necessary for sharing practical insights. Conversely, the association commits to giving back to society through open seminars and events that disseminate the knowledge cultivated within the community.

Looking Ahead

With diverse strategies, the association aspires to serve as a community hub for ensuring safety and security in the digital realm. Discussions will continue on how to design and implement trust and safety as an “invisible infrastructure” across all business domains.

The next community event is anticipated on July 11. We encourage member participation, and details will be provided on the official website soon.

The Trust and Safety Association is excited to embark on this new journey, and we look forward to your ongoing support.

Contact:
Trust and Safety Association Headquarters
E-mail: info[@]trustsafety.or.jp (Attn: Tanaka)