#Digital Transformation #Ministry of Internal Affairs #Information Policy

Results of Public Comments on Information and Communications Policy

In accordance with the request made on February 3, 2023, by the Information and Communications Council's Subcommittee on Information Policy, led by Chair Jiro Kunihiro, an esteemed professor at Keio University, a draft advisory opinion titled "The Role of Information and Communications Policy to Promote Digital Transformation in Local Communities" has been formulated. To gather public input, a period for submitting opinions was opened from June 13, 2023, to July 12, 2023.

As a result of this outreach initiative, 77 opinions were received concerning the proposed draft policy. The government has now made public the submitted opinions along with the subcommittee's responses to these submissions. The findings reflect a diverse range of perspectives from stakeholders and the general public about altering the digital landscape in their local communities.

Overview of the Submission Process

Target of Public Comments:
The draft advisory opinion focused on how the information and communications policy can be shaped to facilitate the adoption of digital solutions within various local settings, addressing the evolving needs of communities across Japan.

Received Submissions and Responses:
The opinions received, along with the subcommittee's reflections on these inputs, are documented in detail in Annex 1 of the report. This transparency aims to ensure that public concerns and recommendations are acknowledged in policy development.

An amended version of the draft advisory opinion, taking into account the public feedback, has also been made available as Annex 2.

Future Steps

In light of the results from the public comments, a review of the draft will be conducted on July 29, 2023, by the Information and Communications Council's Subcommittee on Information Policy. Furthermore, the next meeting of the Information and Communications Council, chaired by Nobuhiko Endo, a Special Advisor at NEC Corporation, is scheduled to discuss this draft advisory opinion.

How to Access Materials

The full materials related to this process will be available for viewing and distribution through the contact point provided in the announcement. Furthermore, they will be published on the e-Gov website under the