“The Internet and Freedom” Q&A

 ■“The Internet and Freedom” Q&A

I did an interview about “The Internet and Freedom for Us,” the book that I wrote 24 years ago. I would like to list my responses.

○During the dawn of the internet, what kind of issues occurred and what kind of regulations were in place?

Around the time that I wrote this book, which was the mid ’90s when the internet was starting to become popularized, I became the first person in charge of the internet in the Japanese government and made it clear that my role was to promote the internet, while focusing on the fact that it will empower individuals.

However, as the awareness that the internet will make life convenient and enrich people had not been solidified yet, the government did not have a clear stance yet, given that there was a possibility that the communication industry, with a focus on telephones, could receive a major blow

Because the government was concerned with how to prepare the foundation for these communication networks (such as optical fiber) without any disparities and how to deal with the hegemony of the United States regarding the internet, there was not much discussion about theories for regulating the internet, information, and content

○What are symbolic events relating to “The Internet and Freedom?

・Expression: Everybody nurtured Hatsune Miku online, as she grew into a global star. Being a YouTuber became an admired occupation.

・Politics: In 2011, the Mubarak regime was toppled by the united masses, and Mr. Trump is opposing the mass media on Twitter.

・Nations: GAFA has obtained global power that surpasses that of an ordinary nation. On the other hand, China has set up a firewall, and the EU has brought in GDPR and the link tax.

・Regarding piracy, Japan is troubled by how to secure freedom regarding both the protection of intellectual property and secrecy of communication.

○Regulation of piracy, crackdowns on the dark web, and monopolies by GAFA and other major corporations are taking place. How do you feel about these regulations and monopolies?

Piracy, illegal information, and unfair competition by major companies are issues from real society that are also appearing in the virtual space on the internet.

Rather, I believe that issues that were somewhat under control in real society have become radicalized and more difficult to resolve through the popularization of the internet. Either way, the period during which the internet was a special, free paradise has come to an end as a result of popularization.

○What are some incidents that symbolize the current issues of freedom and regulations on the internet?

I believe this would be pirated sites above all.

While piracy infringes upon “property rights” related to intellectual property and copyrights, the ides of blocking, which is being discussed by the Japanese government through a countermeasure council, infringes upon “secrecy of communication.” They oppose each other on both sides of the freedom guaranteed by the Law of Japan.

Intellectual property and IT, which are 2 fields that Japan depends on as we face information society, must be contrasted for adjustments to be made. The question is how Japan, which is the home of manga and anime, will build out a model to resolve pirated sites, which are the unexpected product of IT.

However, it could be that this situation cannot be solved properly through a plan to “adjust” both sides. Perhaps the approach is to “build up” an area where intellectual property and IT can coexist, each developing their freedom.

This is a troublesome issue that appeared 20 years into the history of the internet, and issues like this will continue to pop up. I believe that a stance to bring together the wisdom to confront these issues is being sought.

○In what direction will the freedom and restriction of the internet advance from here on out

Following the 10 years of its first phase with computers, mobile phones, and content and the 10 years of its second phase with smartphones and social networking services, the internet is entering its third phase with AI, IoT, and blockchain. There have been big waves every 10 years, and issues have grown.

Not only have we reached our goals, big waves will likely continue to come repeatedly. Nations, companies, and individuals are all internet users, and efforts by users to build information society have just begun.

It took 3 centuries from the invention of the printing press by Gutenberg for people to become enlightened; go through religious, civic, and industrial revolutions; and enter the modern age. The IT revolution may also require this much time to change the world. I believe that we must be ready to take the time for users to build up society.