A new round has started in the intellectual-property headquarters

 ■A new round has started in the intellectual-property headquarters 

The committee in the intellectual-property headquarters has convened, and a new round has started. We are refining our short- and long-term strategies regarding content and industrial property rights. I am serving as the chairman.

 These were my greetings at the start.

“The fact that the Prime Minister appeared dressed as Super Mario in the closing ceremony of the Rio Olympics is a manifestation of the stance that moving towards the Tokyo Olympics, Japan places importance on the integration and transmission of content and technology.

　On one hand, there are things we must strictly review in our measures up to now, but on the other hand, the overseas expansion of anime and music have shown results. We must evaluate this positively.

　At the same time, a series of technological innovations such as AI, IoT, big data, and blockchains has become an enormous wave descending even on the field of content, which has adapted to ten years of the transition to smart technology.”

　This also shows that the time has come to join with the field of industrial property rights, as well as to coordinate with IT strategy and policy on science and technology, in order to create a new vision.”

The government made the following explanations regarding the progress of the IP plans.

・On constructing an IP system to promote the use and application of data:

　Contract guidelines on data usage rights; proof-of-concept of an information bank; guidelines on promoting the use of AI

・On constructing a copyright system:

　 Flexible restrictions on rights; revising the copyright system to allow for active use of ICT in education

・Promoting overseas expansion of content, and strengthening industry foundations:

　Supporting TV programs; promoting development of forms of presentation through new technology: AR, VR, drones, AI; measures against counterfeit products

・Strengthening the foundation of the film industry:

　Support for international co-production; strengthening location-shooting support; constructing a digital archive

The points listed from now on are opinions exchanged among committee members.

・Both a short-term strategy and a long-term vision surrounding PDCA are necessary.

・An unpredictable situation will appear in the field of content as well because of coordination with AI. We need measures that make good use of the ideas, challenges, and speculative spirit of society.

・Evidence-based policies are important. We should stick to the principle of making the use and application of data our top priority.

・The IP-based power of individuals is important, but there is little engagement with this in universities.

・IP education in elementary, middle, and high school is difficult. Like in programming education, we should use external instructors.

・We need to increase literacy regarding data usage and rule creation.

・“Frameless images” through VR and projection mapping are receiving attention. Smartphones will not necessarily be the driving force in 10 years. We need to examine the topic of the “post-smartphone” world.