CiP has submitted a new entertainment proposal.

 ■ CiP has submitted a new entertainment proposal.

The Liberal Democratic Party's Special Committee for Promoting a Digital Society was held online.

The CiP Council recently released a statement about the new content strategy, and based on that, submitted a proposal entitled, "The New Face of Entertainment with the COVID-19 Era."

I made a speech at the beginning.

CiP is an industry-government-academia collaborative community, that develops national strategic special zones where tech and pop are concentrated together, in Takeshiba, in the Tokyo Bay area. Universities and research institutes such as Keio, the University of Tokyo, and RIKEN, etc., are also participating in 50 industry groups and companies such as communications, broadcasting, IT, music, anime, and games, etc., promoting urban development.

There are many projects running. The music industry maintains a database of artists. Developing research institutes that bring together otaku researchers from around the world. A CiP fund that provides funding for content. A technology project is also underway to develop information banks, where a large number of robots and drones work in Takeshiba to distribute data.

There are plans to create these kinds of tech and pop bases in various parts of Japan, so I would like to move on to creating a pop archipelago that connects them all. We are also promoting cooperation measures with Nagoya, Kyoto, Fukuoka, etc. We are also advancing cooperation with overseas cities such as Seoul, Barcelona and Shanghai.

COVID-19 is pouring a lot of cold water onto live entertainment, but at the same time, it is rapidly shifting to digital, such as with video broadcasting and e-sports. As a private organization, we will face how to overcome COVID-19, how to plan for after COVID-19, and how to turn a crisis into an opportunity.

On top of that, the CiP Council gave a status report and suggestions.

Due to events being restrained, business in the entire industry has stopped, and activities will not be possible for the time being.

Even if we could have live concerts in the future, it is unclear whether we can eliminate attendees' fear about participating.

On the supposition that the pandemic will return, it is required that we  build and operate a mechanism for creating and broadcasting sustainable content, even in situation where people are staying at home.

It is necessary to provide ways to have fun using the latest technologies, such as 5G and AR/VR, and to build a new business model and have public support, to continue as a business.

With that, I would like to propose three points.

Suggestion 1 "Sharing attractive content from rural areas"

・ Constructing a mechanism for sharing content from rural areas centered on music that can be enjoyed even in a situation where people are staying at home.

・ Matters relating to rights are managed using special zones (assuming Takeshiba special zones and CiP, etc.)

・ Creation of content compatible with the latest technologies such as 5G and AR/VR

Suggestion 2 "Broadcasting content using various media"

・ Building a new business model where it can be enjoyed even in rural areas in a situation where people are staying at home

・ Early construction of a platform that is compatible with various media

・ Utilization of TV program vacant time slots due to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics

For example, development that mixes various media such as broadcasting, TV broadcasting, SNS, live viewing, and VR, etc.

Suggestion 3 "Utilization of advanced technology and public support"

・ Securing the necessary resources for utilizing the latest technologies such as 5G and AR/VR (assuming cooperation with carriers)

・ Continuous public funding, not just as a one-off

・ Coordination with local authorities and the media, etc., taken on by the state (assuming it's the Cabinet Office, etc.)

As for the CiP, we will work to demonstrate and implement these kinds of suggestions, while reporting them to the Diet, government, and other related parties, etc.

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The CiP Council has released a statement about the new content strategy.

 ■ The CiP Council has released a statement about the new content strategy.

The CiP Council, which is currently constructing a Tech/Pop special zone in Takeshiba, in the Tokyo Bay area, has released a "Statement about a new content strategy", for post-COVID-19.

It consists of 5 items: 1. Creating a place, 2. New business model, 3. Special zones, 4. Cross-genre, 5. Human resources development.

1. Creating a Place

Many stores have been forced to close their live houses and event spaces that have cultivated the entertainment culture for things like music. We need to protect the communities and cultures of the people who gather there. We suggest fixed property tax exemption and reduction measures for owners on the condition of rent exemption/reduction, and improvement of the donation distribution system, etc.

2. New Business Model

Although live and event broadcasting and online publication of existing content have become widespread, the existing business model has not been able to provide new value, and monetization has not been achieved. There is an urgent need for a digital shift to online participation and virtual experiences.

It is necessary to create a new business model and a new era of entertainment, that promotes the digital transformation of content and further advances global expansion. It's necessary to develop an ultra-high-speed, large-capacity infrastructure represented by 5G.

3. Special zones

We have been aiming to improve Japan's presence throughout the world heading into the Tokyo Olympics, but it has become necessary to go back to square one. This is particularly true in the video industry with things like animation, where the international division of labor is advancing, and production has been forced to be suspended.

In Europe and the United States, tax incentives are being introduced to grow the video industry, and CG and VFX production companies are being concentrated together through special zones. Japan should also implement tax incentives utilizing special zones, and construct an environment where it can compete globally. Besides that, the time has come to implement deregulation so that we can hire excellent talent from overseas.

4. Cross-genre

The content industry has developed business and overseas strategies by genre, but we can't really say that it has achieved great results compared to platforms with huge capital in Europe and the United States. Each content industry is trying to expand digital broadcasting independently in order to respond to the users and fans that stay at home, but customs differ from industry to industry, and cross-cutting collaboration has not materialized. 

It is necessary to build a platform that shares manga, anime, games, music, etc., across the board. By doing this, it will be more convenient for users, and increase the chances for market expansion. We should share the overseas fans who like Japan, and the know-how and marketing methods that each industry has cultivated in response to digitalization, etc., and also aim to solve copyright clearance issues through centralized management.

5. Human Resources Development

Schools will change significantly due to COVID-19. The transformation of society will change the type of human resources that are required. Let's make real an education system of a global standard. We support the global success of excellent talent. We encourage the design of places in collaboration with industry, collaboration between venture companies and the content industry, and investment by funding in startups.

The CiP Council has rolled out this statement to the government/Intellectual property committee, and the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party.

Thank you

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Intellectual property plans, have been decided.

 ■ Intellectual property plans, have been decided.

The government's intellectual property plans have been finalized.

I agreed with 5 points.

At the beginning, there is the outline that is, "New Normal and Strategy for Intellectual Property".

These are 4 items, basic recognition, impact of the spread of COVID-19 and social changes, what the intellectual property strategy for the new normal should be, relationship between COVID-19 measures and this promotion plan.

The recognition that is the balance of "use" from the state's support for the cultural industry and the protection of intellectual property, which the outline has shown, seems to be a matter of course, but in fact, has not been properly talked about so far. I agree. I would like them to proceed with it as a basic approach. 

The second point is "computerizing education". This time, the following items have been included.

・ Ministries and agencies giving support across the board to improve the environment for "learning in the future", centered on the development of school ICT infrastructure through the "GIGA School Concept" realization package for "cloud utilization," "high-speed, large-capacity communication environments," and "each student having their own terminal". 

・ In order to promote online education, we will advance the facilitation of urgent and special application of the revised Copyright Act this year, with regards to sending copyrighted works to students, etc., via the Internet, etc., during the course of classes. We will consider the necessary support for reducing the burden through compensation for next year's full-scale implementation. 

・ Develop human resources that have practical AI skills. Develop and implement training programs for acquiring skills in data science, etc., and work to build a nationwide network that aims for cooperation between institutions, and circulating and deploying them to other institutions.

Computerizing education has been an issue for the intellectual property plan for 10 years. For the time being, we got a breakthrough result.

I would like to express my great appreciation to the efforts of government officials.

The third point is the utilization of DX and AI/data. The following items were listed.

・ Major transformation by DX

・ COVID-19 and DX

・ Case studies of DX in companies

・ Development of rules for promoting the utilization of real data

・ Various cross-cutting issues

・ Collaboration between fields

・ Issues for each field

・Development of human resources

・What the patent system should be

This is the most important issue for Japan, and I welcome anything written about it that emphasizes it.

As has previously often been talked about in the framework of IT policy, intellectual property strategies and IT strategies should be integrated. I would like them to bring these two together. 

The fourth point is Cool Japan. It is a "public-private platform".

Discussions about the Cool Japan strategy have been exhausted, but it lacks a pillar of action.

I have repeatedly asked them to actualize that one point that makes up the "core organization".

As long as I can break through on this one point, I think the private sector will sympathize too. Conversely, if they can't even do that, their reputation will be ruined. 

The fifth point is content creation.

Manga, anime, video, movies, TV, music, e-sports, including anti-piracy measures.

At the same time as paying close attention to each genre, horizontal measures such as overseas expansion, human resources development, and communication/broadcasting integration, etc., have been adequately written about, conveying how serious the government is.

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A report on the regulatory reform of broadcasting was also issued

 ■ A report on the  regulatory reform of broadcasting was also issued.

The Regulatory Reform Promotion Council has compiled a report.

Radio waves, communication, and broadcasting system reforms are also important items within it.

While radio waves and communications are dealt with simply on one page, such as considering the conversion of broadband to universal services, etc., broadcasting has been written about for over seven pages.

It overlaps with what I was invited by the Investment WG to talk about, that is, the integration of communications and broadcasting.

There are four items in "Regulatory reforms around broadcasting".

A. Promotion of Internet broadcasting by broadcasters

B. Strengthening the management infrastructure of local stations and what cooperation by NHK should be

C. Developing a system for the smooth distribution of content broadcasting over the Internet

D. Optimization of production transactions for content broadcasting 

A. Promotion of Internet broadcasting by broadcasters

This is a suggestion for NHK. It is inappropriate to control by limiting the broadcasting area to regions targeted for broadcasting, and we ask that local programs be aggressively broadcast nationwide.

When I was invited to the Diet deliberations for the Broadcast Act for allowing simultaneous broadcasting for NHK, I also said, "National and overseas transmission from local areas is important."

Also, on the point that programs produced with license fees should be effectively utilized, NHK stores 1 million programs and 8 million news broadcasts, but only 7,000 are broadcast on NHK On Demand. We are requesting that they clarify and make public what their thoughts are about this. 

This is a report which asks NHK to try and do better.

B. Strengthening the management infrastructure of local stations and what cooperation by NHK should be

This is also being addressed to NHK first.

The obligation to cooperate and collaborate with commercial broadcasters in the task of utilizing the Internet, has been included in the revised Broadcast Act, and they should cooperate so that local stations can build an Internet broadcasting infrastructure. 

At the same time, local stations will consider system reforms and sharing equipment to increase the degree of freedom within management.

The point is to have in mind, "An understanding of the specific requests from those involved". First of all, the attitude should be that local stations think about their own management strategy. The report of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications also has the same tone.

C. Developing a system for smooth distribution of content broadcasting over the Internet

This is a matter related to the copyright system for online broadcasting. Let's make an effort and devote 3 pages to this alone. 

This has been a long-standing, difficult issue because it is handled differently between broadcasting and communication (Internet), and the interests of broadcasting stations and right holders (performers, record industries, etc.) are complicated.

The report is forward-thinking, and requires the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Agency for Cultural Affairs to design a system for online broadcasting of broadcasts, the extended centralized license system, and the arbitration system for orphan works.

It is Japan's Galapagos system that makes broadcasting and Internet copyrights complicated, and I want to do something about it.

I hope we can move forward from this institutional problem, which has hindered the integration of communications and broadcasting.

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What is the outlook for the broadcasting business? A report on The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been made.

 ■ What is the outlook for the broadcasting business? A report on The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has been made.

A review committee for issues around The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications' broadcasting, that is, the "Review subcommittee for strengthening the infrastructure of the broadcasting business", has compiled a report. 

We have been advancing considerations on strategies for what AM radio should be, and how to strengthen the management infrastructure of local stations. I served as acting chairman.

Advertising spending on TV broadcasts has been on a downward trend, while advertising spending on the Internet in 2019, exceeded advertising spending on TV broadcasts for the first time.

As the population declines in rural areas and the diversification of media continues along with the spread of the Internet, etc., our analysis shows that, "Expecting an increase in TV advertising revenue will be difficult in the future."

There are four points that should be addressed to improve the environment.

① Sharing best practices

② Development of human resources

③ Promoting use of the Internet, etc.

④ Further promotion of overseas expansion

① Sharing of best practices: The National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan collects cases, and shares information among member companies. We will continue these efforts.

② Development of human resources: It is necessary to secure and develop human resources that can handle new business areas including technology such as IP conversion, expansion of content overseas, and online broadcasting, etc.

It is required that the entire industry can handle these things.

More importantly is ③ promoting use of the Internet, etc.

"It is necessary for even the country to try and continue improving the environment, so that an efficient and stable broadcasting infrastructure can be established, such as by building a common broadcasting infrastructure, etc."

Facilitation of rights processing for broadcasting is also an issue. I think that the efforts were too weak, despite the fact that the Japanese system has the Galapagos effect which had been an issue for quite some time. However, with the start of NHK's simultaneous broadcasting, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications requested that the Agency for Cultural Affairs deal with this, and heeding this, discussions are being held at the Council for Cultural Affairs. I look forward to seeing some progress.

The use and application of audience data is also a new important theme.

"it is necessary to assume a wide range of actual services, and have verification through actual evidence that targets many viewers." "Based on the revisions to the Personal Information Protection Law, it is necessary to proceed with improving rules through actual evidence, etc., and promote the creation and development of new services that utilize audience data."

Also, collaboration with NHK.

Introducing cooperation in the field of the Internet, such as broadcasting of programs on radiko and TVer, and investment in JOCDN, a broadcasting platform funded by commercial broadcasters.

NHK aims to "perform the necessary work for the progress and development of broadcasting and its reception", and requires "further efforts for cooperation involving online broadcasting" based on the Broadcast Act.

Furthermore, NHK is developing technologies such as automatic sign language and automatic subtitle generation, etc., using AI, and it has been pointed out that broadly utilizing such pioneering knowledge and technology across the entire broadcasting service, will contribute to the strengthening of the management infrastructure of local stations. 

I think this is a correct understanding of NHK's pioneering role.

The final suggestion is ④ Further promotion of overseas expansion.

The overseas expansion of broadcast programs is also an important matter in the policies of Cool Japan. Local stations "Support for overseas expansion through international content trade fairs, and the development of human resources, etc., are important", and the drastic strengthening of TIFFCOM has been cited. I would also like to cooperate with CiP in Takeshiba, Tokyo, where I am promoting the development of bases.

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Consultation about iU and APU working together.

 ■ Consultation about iU and APU working together.

APU in Beppu

We talked about cooperating with iU.

Half of the 6,000 students are international students.

They have come from 92 countries.

International students get the Japanese N1 in 2 years.

It's not an English-only school, but provides bilingual education.

All the students showed us around. 

It's a useful reference for iU, which mainly focuses on English.

With an employment rate of 97%, it ranks 5th for private universities all over Japan, and 1st for private universities in western Japan, in the THE University Rankings.

They are AACSB certified in which 5% of the world's business schools have been certified, and in tourism education, they are the only private university in Japan to have obtained the TedQual.

"Thanks to the three-star rating, we are very popular with people from overseas," said President Deguchi.

I think this will be used as a model for iU too.

The school opened in 2000.

A big job for the late governor of Oita Prefecture, Morihiko Hiramatsu, was the campus, which was created by the public and private sectors by clearing the top of a mountain in Beppu, the number one place for hot springs in Japan.  

Twenty years later, it has become a place brimming with diversity.

"Elementary school newspapers are the perfect teaching material for learning Japanese on-yomi and kun-yomi readings," said Nepalese students.

It seems that the "APU Start-up Department" which is under the direct control of President Deguchi, has also started.

I would like there to be collaboration with iU, incorporating "all start-ups" into the curriculum.

Mr. Deguchi is making curry.

So, I think I'll make iU curry too.

Let's make 100 different types of us!

The dazzling cafeteria has everything including Japanese, Western, Chinese and ethnic food. 

They take care of 6,000 stomachs from 92 countries.

The support for Halal foods is perfect.

However during Ramadan, where even swallowing saliva is forbidden, the girls with hijabs are clearly irritated.

President Deguchi says, "APU's strength are the graduates who are successful in various countries."

Successful graduates include Mr. Birendre (Sri Lanka) with the Yoshimoto team; Mr. Kaniya (Indonesia) who obtained a master's degree in my seminar, and is now on the doctoral course at the National University of Singapore; and Mr. Nakajima, who is at electronics school preparing to establish iU.

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Vertical and horizontal digital development indicated by CES

 ■ Vertical and horizontal digital development indicated by CES

SALON CiP online.

Ms. Kaoru Kato of Hakuhodo DY Media Partners had a discussion with Mr. Masayoshi Sakai of iU, talking about "CES2020".

https://youtu.be/-nPQA7doCJM

The Las Vegas CES was held in January, but the Barcelona MWC (Mobile World Congress) in February; the Austin SXSW in March; and the world's largest game expo, the E3 in Los Angeles, were all canceled. So was the Makuhari Interop/DSC in March.

So, CES was a valuable opportunity.

Ms. Kato organized the horizontal and vertical aspects of this year's CES.

A "solution" for horizontal development of existing trends, and a "concept" that creates new innovations vertically.

The view is for IoT/AI to be horizontally developed and expanded, and that the next new trend will be launched by City. 

It seems that there is something very interesting about CES2020.

Face paint makeup by P&G, diaper solutions by Pampers, and Sony cars.

What I was most impressed with was Delta Air Lines.

A mechanism that shows information to each person using the airport's digital signage.

It doesn't link signage with smartphones, but instead uses individual recognition to separate and show information for that person according to the place where they can see the display.

Although separating and displaying information with signage, etc., is not that technologically advanced, it captures individual customers and naturally presents information to produce a spatial experience, which increases satisfaction.

The airline is implementing this. 

I had strong feelings about the potential of using IoT.

For vertical concepts, Ms. Kato pays attention to City.

In particular, Toyota's "Woven City". The plan is to implement cutting-edge technologies such as robots, AI, autonomous driving, MaaS, personal mobility, and smart homes on the former 708,000 m2 site of the Higashi Fuji Plant (Susono City, Shizuoka Prefecture).

This is something where one company produces the city.

We at CiP are promoting urban development using fully loaded cutting-edge technology, in Takeshiba, Tokyo.

5G, robots, telexistence, drones, VRAR, 4K8K, personal mobility, MaaS, AI, and information banks.

It's similar to the Toyota plan.

The difference is that we are open to gathering many companies and universities, etc.

And, it is soon to open.

In addition, CiP is cooperating to establish the entrepreneurial support facility "Station AI" promoted by Aichi Prefecture.

Toyota is participating in this plan as a core company, and in addition to companies and universities in Aichi Prefecture, CiP trustee companies, etc., will also be included. Moreover, famous universities in the United States, Europe and Asia will also be involved in policies for promoting open innovation.

CiP intends to firmly collaborate with Tokyo, which is forward-thinking about smart cities, but at the same time, is trying to promote implementation of technology in smart cities in cooperation with leading countries and cities such as Seoul and Barcelona.

We must follow Toyota's example, and strengthen the spread of information overseas.

I thought that the digital-> smart-> AI/IoT super smart technology would arrive, and continue horizontal development for a short while, but what Ms. Kato has pointed out about the budding of new innovations again, has become an impetus. 

I also wonder if the season of innovation on the technology supply side will soon arrive.

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