WIDE Project (Japan) Submission for WCIT-12

[Hiroshi Esaki <hiroshi@xxx>]

WIDE Project (General) Statement on Internet Governance

The following is a brief summary of points for consideration,
by the WIDE Project (*1).

With the active participation of individual researchers and
engineers throughout the history of the development of the
Internet, the Internet infrastructure in almost all countries
around the world has been built and maintained by the private
sector.

In reality, the discussions on the governance of the Internet
have been and should be conducted through multi-stakeholder
processes, respecting different points of view due in part to
individuals' diverse backgrounds working with various legislative
structures.

The continuing participation of the private sector, individuals,
non-governmental organizations and the public sectors of various
countries to the discussions on the governance of the Internet is
a keystone to the ongoing and future development of the Internet.

If the Internet infrastructure in a particular country significantly
hampers the fundamental rights of specific stakeholders, it causes
the fragmentation of the platform, and the value of the Internet as
an innovation engine is totally lost.

Therefore, the WIDE Project recommends the discussions on the governance
of the Internet should continue to be conducted through
multi-stakeholder processes, especially by the private sector's
leadership, respecting their diverse backgrounds working with
various type of institutes and individuals.

(*1) WIDE Project
Beginning with Internet deployment in Japan in the 1980s, the WIDE
Project has been involved in the governance scheme locally in Japan,
regionally in Asia Pacific, and globally for our society. The WIDE
project is pleased to promise to engage in and contribute to the ongoing
dialogue on multi-stakeholder approaches to Internet governance.
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Hiroshi ESAKI, Ph.D
 Director, WIDE Project
 Professor, The University of Tokyo,