Japan Emphasizes Data Free Flow with Trust at APEC SME Ministerial Meeting

State Minister Koga of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry visited Jeju Island, the Republic of Korea, to attend the APEC Small and Medium Enterprise Ministerial Meeting. The meeting focused on innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the APEC region. Japan promoted data free flow with trust (DFFT) and highlighted the importance of various forums for people-to-people exchange. The meeting adopted a joint declaration and introduced the "Jeju Initiative" to share startup-related knowledge.

Key Takeaways:

• Japan emphasized the promotion of data free flow with trust (DFFT) at the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting.
• The meeting focused on innovative growth through new technologies, sustainable growth through smart policies, and inclusive growth through enhanced sustainability.
• Japan introduced the ongoing Osaka-Kansai Expo and the upcoming Expo event "A Journey of Challenges for SMEs Aiming for the Future 20XX" scheduled for next month.
• The APEC region aims to provide a forum for sharing startup-related knowledge through the "Jeju Initiative," proposed by Japan.
• Japan and the Republic of Korea confirmed their commitment to work together for future-oriented, mutually beneficial common interests.
• Japan and Indonesia discussed ways to expand bilateral cooperation in the field of small and medium enterprises.

Statistics:

• 31st anniversary of the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting, proposed by Japan.
• 1 joint declaration adopted at the APEC SME Ministerial Meeting.
• 1 "Jeju Initiative" introduced to share startup-related knowledge.

Sources:

• Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
• State Minister Koga's visit to Jeju Island, the Republic of Korea