Minister Matsumoto Visited the United States (Seattle and Los Angeles)

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From August 25 to 30, Minister for Digital Transformation Matsumoto visited Seattle and Los Angeles in the United States. He held meetings with business leaders in the digital and AI sectors and inspected cutting-edge technologies.

1. Site visits and meetings with major IT companies

Digital Agency is advancing initiatives to promote the utilization of cloud and AI technologies, such as "Government Cloud" and "Government AI."
To further advance these efforts, Minister Matsumoto visited major IT companies headquartered or based in Seattle to inspect their latest initiatives in cloud computing, AI, and related fields, while exchanging views with representatives from each company.

During the meetings, Minister Matsumoto presented the Japanese government's initiatives, including Government Cloud and Government AI, and expressed expectations for continued cooperation to further advance Japan's digital sector. Additionally, from the perspective of addressing the digital deficit, they discussed ways to collaborate to incorporate Japan's companies' global platforms and services into these efforts, helping expand these technologies into global markets. They exchanged views on establishing an environment that enables the safe and secure use of cloud and AI technologies, ensuring safety, transparency, and autonomy.
He also expressed gratitude for the companies' investments and initiatives to date in Japan's digital and AI sectors and conveyed expectations for further investment and collaboration.

（Scene from the visit to AWS: Senior Vice President David Zapolsky (left) and Minister Matsumoto (right)）
David Zapolsky, Senior Vice President of AWS, and Minister Matsumoto shake hands in front of Japanese and U.S. flags, with an AWS logo wall in the background.
（Scene from the visit to Microsoft: Vice Chair and President Brad Smith (left) and Minister Matsumoto (right)）
Microsoft Vice Chair and President Brad Smith and Minister Matsumoto shake hands in front of the Japanese flag.
（Scene from the visit to Google: Vice President Ankur Mehrotra of Google Cloud (left) and Minister Matsumoto (right)）
Google Cloud Senior Vice President Ankur Mehrotra and Minister Matsumoto stand side by side in front of a wall displaying the Google logo.

2. Site visits and meetings on advanced mobility technologies

To promote the commercialization of new mobility services, such as autonomous driving, the Digital Agency has been formulating the "Mobility Roadmap" since 2024.
In the United States, taxi services using autonomous driving technology are being commercialized, and some companies are also considering expanding their businesses into urban areas in Japan. In light of this situation, the Minister visited U.S. companies developing and commercializing autonomous driving technology to consider future policy directions for autonomous driving in Japan. By taking test rides in autonomous vehicles, he assessed the latest level of technology and exchanged views on services using autonomous driving technology.

(Waymo Board Member Hiroshi Lockheimer (left) and Minister Matsumoto (right))
Waymo Board Member Hiroshi Lockheimer and Minister Matsumoto stand side by side in front of a white vehicle.
(Tesla Technical Program Management and Vehicle Engineering Intern Aaron Born (left), Minister Matsumoto (center), and Tesla Associate General Counsel Eric Williams (right))
Tesla Technical Program Management and Vehicle Engineering Intern Aaron Born (left), Minister Matsumoto (center), and Tesla Associate General Counsel Eric Williams (right) stand side by side in front of a white vehicle.
(Wayve Global AV Policy Lead Daniel Quirk (left), Minister Matsumoto (center), and Wayve Head of Public Policy Japan Nobuaki Yasunaga (right))
Wayve Global AV Policy Lead Daniel Quirk (left), Minister Matsumoto (center), and Wayve Head of Public Policy Japan Nobuaki Yasunaga (right) stand side by side in front of a white vehicle.

3. Site visits to other digital technology initiatives

Minister Matsumoto also visited the Port of Los Angeles, one of the largest container cargo hubs in the United States, where he was briefed on advanced port operations utilizing digital technologies and cybersecurity measures. He also toured companies developing so-called "flying taxis" to review their innovative initiatives.

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