Friday’s Yomiuri and Mainichi reported that about 60 countries from around the globe, including Japan, joined the United States in issuing a “Declaration for the Future of the Internet” to protect human rights, freedom, and privacy in cyberspace; promote a global Internet that advances the free flow of information; and advance inclusive and affordable connectivity. Japan’s Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications Kaneko reportedly participated remotely in the launch ceremony and told the other participants: “Japan strongly supports the declaration as it is extremely important for strengthening the free and non-divisive internet.” 

Yomiuri noted that Washington introduced the initiative in response to Russia’s intense disinformation campaign about its war in Ukraine, quoting an unnamed senior administration official as saying: “Russia, China, and other autocracies are trying to fundamentally change the nature of the internet from an instrument of commerce and culture to an instrument of state power.”