Memorandum of Cooperation between the Republic of Estonia in the Digital Field

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On April 27, 2026, Ms. Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Estonia (hereinafter “Estonia”), visited Japan and held a bilateral meeting with the Minister for Digital Transformation Matsumoto. In 2022, the Digital Agency of Japan and the Estonia’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) in the digital field, which will expire in May 2026 (Related Information). Following a recent reorganization of ministries in Estonia, the Digital Agency of Japan and Estonia’s Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs took this opportunity to sign and exchange a new MoC in the digital field.

1. Meeting Overview

Minister Matsumoto and Minister Pakosta exchanged views on the mutual initiatives in the digital field and explored the future direction of bilateral cooperation under the MoC.

(Minister for Digital Transformation Matsumoto, on the left, exchanges views with Ms. Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, on the right.)
Minister for Digital Transformation Matsumoto sits on the left, wearing a dark navy suit, white dress shirt, and a bright blue tie, gesturing with his hand as he speaks. Opposite him on the right, Ms. Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, wears a black jacket with gold buttons and a long dark skirt, listening attentively with her hands clasped. Between them, a women interpreter dressed in a black suit with a white blouse looks down while writing notes in a notebook. On the table in front of them are two small desk flags, Japan and Estonia, indicating a bilateral meeting. Behind them, a large window reveals a city skyline, a green potted plant stands nearby, and a monitor on a stand displays charts or data, reinforcing the formal, professional setting of the meeting.

2. Details of MoC

Objective

The objective of this MoC is to develop cooperation and to promote relations and mutual understanding between the Digital Agency of Japan and the Estonian Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications.

Main areas of cooperation

Cooperation areas are as follows (including but not limited to):

  • 1.Exchanging best practices, experiences and expertise in innovative and effective digital government and society solutions, policies and regulations, innovative public procurement and governance models. The focus will be set on, but not limited to the usage and implementation of the digital ID, certifications, secure data exchange layer, cloud services, secure data usage and standardization, data protection and privacy rules, cyber security and artificial intelligence. Both participants will work together with a view to materializing the concept of the Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) and implementing Trusted Connectivity.
  • 2.Organizing joint events, expert level site or study visits, exchanges between and of officials and other experts, and fostering co-operation between the two countries and various institutions.
  • 3.Exploring the possibility of establishing an arrangement for the realization of the exchange of experts or officials for a certain period of time.
  • 4.Identifying challenges and find out the effective and priority use-cases and roadmap for digital government development.
  • 5.Developing policy initiatives, proofs-of-concept, demos, and/or pilot solutions or projects in the field of ICT.
  • 6.Exploring the possibility of promoting cooperation and facilitating partnerships of technology companies and communities for joint innovation initiatives and development of digital services in both countries and as well as beyond.
  • 7.Exploring the possibility of joint initiatives towards collaboration on boosting digital development in third countries.
  • 8.Other areas are jointly decided.

Duration

This MoC will commence on the date of the signature and will continue for three years. Thereafter, it will automatically be renewed for successive one year periods, unless either Participant gives six months’ prior written notice to the other Participant of its intention not to renew this MoC.

Signature and Signatories

  • Date of signature: April 27, 2026
  • Venue: The Digital Agency of Japan
  • Signatories:
    • Hisashi Matsumoto, Minister for Digital Transformation (for the Digital Agency Japan)
    • Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs (for the Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Estonia)

Reference

(Ms. Liisa-Ly Pakosta, Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Estonia, on the left, Minister Matsumoto on the right.)
Two ministers stand side by side in a formal setting, each holding open a signed memorandum of cooperation (MoC) folder toward the camera. On the left, Ms. Liisa-Ly Pakosta wears a black long-sleeved dress with gold buttons and glasses. On the right, Minister for Digital Transformation Matsumoto wears a dark suit, white shirt, and bright blue tie. Both faces forward with slight smiles. Behind them is a backdrop reading “Digital Agency,” along with a large Japanese flag.

3. Related Information

Signing of Memorandum of Cooperation with the Republic of Estonia in the Digital Field(Signature date: May 6, 2022)

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