The UK government has agreed on a memorandum of co-operation (MoC) with Japan on exchanging knowledge and strategies on the develop digital government transformation.
It establishes links between the Government Digital Service (GDS) and Japan’s Digital Agency, which will work together to promote the adoption, design and diffusion of digital tools and services across the country’s public sectors.
This will focus on sharing best practice in training and building technical capabilities across departments and agencies, along with delivering greater efficiencies in procurement and spending.
To coincide with the MoC signing, the UK has also sent a delegation of digital experts to take part in workshops and policy exchanges with the Japanese agency.
The signing of the agreement was conducted in Japan by its digital transformation minister Kono Taro and GDS chief executive officer Tom Read.
Sharing experience
Taro commented: “We are happy to welcome the GDS delegation as we have learned from the UK’s experience in delivering our own digital government initiatives, like the establishment of the Digital Agency.
“By sharing expertise and lessons learned, we are assisting each other in promoting digital transformation in the government and across society to ensure no one is left behind.”
Taking part remotely, Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin said: “By sharing expertise in areas like digital government transformation, we look to support each other in delivering better services and unlocking greater opportunities for our citizens and businesses.”
The move comes after the two governments announced efforts to collaborate more closely on digital issues in May of this year.
