{"id":24835,"date":"2026-04-28T10:56:02","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T09:56:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/telecomkh.info\/?p=24835"},"modified":"2026-04-28T10:56:02","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T09:56:02","slug":"gsma-report-urges-japan-to-take-bold-action-to-convert-technical-excellence-into-global-digital-leadership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/telecomkh.info\/?p=24835","title":{"rendered":"GSMA report urges Japan to take bold action to convert technical excellence into global digital leadership"},"content":{"rendered":"

New study highlights urgent priorities for Japan\u2019s digital transformation, with industry signaling shared 6G ambition through the Tokyo Accord<\/strong><\/p>\n

Japan must take bold, coordinated action to translate its world-class technological strengths into global digital leadership, according to a new GSMA report launched at the Digital Nation Summit Tokyo.
\nThe study finds that while Japan remains a leader in next-generation connectivity, frontier technologies and applied innovation, persistent structural challenges are limiting productivity growth and economy-wide digital impact. Addressing these constraints will be critical if Japan is to shift from a cautious technology adopter to a confident global standards setter.
\nReflecting this broader ambition, the Tokyo Accord was signed at the Summit by Japan\u2019s mobile network operators \u2013 KDDI, NTT DOCOMO, Rakuten Mobile and SoftBank \u2013 alongside the three APAC 6G Alliances, Globe and LG U+, marking a shared commitment to shape the 6G era. The Accord signals growing regional and global alignment, bringing together pioneering operators and alliances to advance open, interoperable and trusted digital ecosystems. It reinforces the report\u2019s call for coordinated action, with additional operators expected to join through future Digital Nations Summits.
\nThe Digital Nations 2026: Accelerating the Digital Leap in Japan report identifies 2026 as a critical inflection point. While targeted interventions have mitigated the worst of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry\u2019s (METI) \u2018digital cliff\u2019 risks, deeper structural issues remain. Stagnant productivity, a widening digital services deficit and persistent gaps in translating research excellence into scalable innovation continue to constrain Japan\u2019s long-term competitiveness.
\nAs global discussions on 5G and 6G accelerate, the report highlights Japan\u2019s opportunity to play a leading role by aligning spectrum strategy, R&D investment and international standards engagement with broader digital transformation goals. Positioning next-generation connectivity as a platform for innovation, productivity, and resilience will be central to securing long-term global leadership.<\/p>\n

Priority Areas for Immediate Action<\/strong>
\nThe report identifies three areas requiring urgent, coordinated action across government and industry:<\/p>\n

\u2022 Completing the 5G journey.<\/strong> While Japan was an early adopter of 5G, nationwide deployment of 5G standalone (SA) remains uneven. Accelerating rollout is essential to unlock advanced capabilities and lay the foundation for future 6G evolution.
\n\u2022 Closing the grey digital divide.<\/strong> Japan faces a significant digital inclusion challenge, with 29% of its population aged 65 and over. Internet usage drops to 59.6% among those aged 70-79 and to 25.6% for those over 80, highlighting the need for more accessible, human-centred digital services. Mobile operators are playing a key role through digital skills programmes, alongside government initiatives such as the Myna App and digital support schemes.
\n\u2022 Strengthening digital trust.<\/strong> Fraud and scam losses reached JPY324.1 billion ($2.1 billion) in 2025, with cases at an all-time high. This underscores the need for stronger domestic safeguards and deeper international cooperation, including secure-by-design and trust-by-design approaches<\/p>\n

Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific GSMA said: \u201cJapan has many of the foundations required for digital leadership, from advanced connectivity and research excellence to strong data governance. The challenge now is execution. This week\u2019s Digital Nation Summit provides an important moment for policymakers and industry leaders to align the actions needed to translate technical leadership into real economic and societal outcomes. By harnessing its comparative advantages and deepening international cooperation, Japan can position itself as a confident global standards setter for digital nations.\u201d
\nAcross infrastructure, innovation, data governance, security and skills, the report highlights both strong digital foundations and persistent gaps. It sets out three strategic pathways for Japan\u2019s next phase of digital development: building on comparative strengths in next-generation connectivity and frontier technologies; applying global best practices to accelerate deployment and trust; and deepening international cooperation to shape global standards across AI, cybersecurity, semiconductors and future connectivity.<\/p>\n

Digital Nations Summit Tokyo<\/strong>
\nThe GSMA Digital Nations Summit Tokyo convenes senior government officials, industry leaders and ecosystem partners to examine how national digital strategies can align with global best practice and emerging international norms.
\nGSMA leadership engagement at the Summit includes keynote remarks from Director General Vivek Badrinath, alongside senior contributions across key strategic priorities: Hakan Dursun on the role of advanced connectivity and AI in shaping next-generation networks; Jeanette Whyte leading discussions on digital trust and cross-sector collaboration through frameworks such as Active Cyber Defence (ACD) and ACAST; Lara Dewar advancing the #ChangeTheFace agenda; and John Giusti addressing immediate global policy priorities.
\nThese discussions reinforce the Summit\u2019s focus on advancing secure, inclusive and globally aligned digital ecosystems, while strengthening Japan\u2019s role in shaping the future of connectivity and digital cooperation.<\/p>\n

Above, photo by Martijn Baudoin on unsplash<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New study highlights urgent priorities for Japan\u2019s digital transformation, with industry signaling shared 6G ambition through the Tokyo Accord Japan must take bold, coordinated action to translate its world-class technological strengths into global digital leadership, according to a new GSMA report launched at the Digital Nation Summit Tokyo. The study finds that while Japan remains … <\/p>\n

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