Digital Minister Taira’s visit to the United States
- Published:
Digital Minister Taira visited the United States from May 2-6, 2025. He attended the Milken Institute Global Conference 2025 and met with private sector representatives in the digital field and observe their innovative technologies.
The Milken Institute Global Conference (Invite only)
Digital Minister Taira attended the Milken Institute Global Conference on May 4, 2025, which was held in Los Angeles from May 4-7 under the theme “Toward a Flourishing Future.” This nonprofit and nonpartisan think tank event gathered more than 4,000 attendees from government officials, the private sector, and academia worldwide, similar to the Davos Forum, to discuss important economic, policy, and social issues.
Digital Minister Taira spoke at a session on the theme "Japan's strategy and vision to become the world's most AI-friendly nation (Invite Only)." He outlined the current state of digitalization in Japan, reviewed past efforts, and shared prospects for AI as a potential solution to several pressing challenges the country faces, including a declining birthrate, an aging population, and workforce shortages. He also emphasized the importance of cybersecurity as a key element in considering AI policies.
Meeting with private sector representatives in the digital field and observed the cutting-edge technologies
The Digital Agency has outlined a “Mobility Roadmap” aimed at promoting the commercialization of new mobility services, including automated driving technology, starting in 2024.
As automated driving technology continues to advance worldwide, several companies are preparing to expand their services into urban areas of Japan. Considering these developments, a delegation from the Digital Agency traveled to the United States to evaluate the latest progress in the field. The visit included meetings with companies involved in the development and deployment of automated driving systems, as well as hands-on test drives of autonomous vehicles to evaluate current technological capabilities and exchanged views on the potential services of automated driving technology in future mobility services.
Digital Minister Taira also visited AI-related companies to discuss the Japanese government's initiatives for promoting the use of AI. During these visits, he exchanged views on the market environment as well as the regulations and guidelines surrounding generative AI in the United States.
