The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) is the world’ s oldest international organization and was founded with the aim of ‘facilitating peaceful relations, international cooperation among peoples and economic and social development by means of efficient telecommunication services.’
It became one of the specialized agencies of the United Nations in
1932 and has been keeping up with and supporting all the technological innovation and market changes in the information and communications field. It has actively undertaken efforts in international standardization, frequency allocation and technical assistance to developing countries in a timely manner.
The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity was formed in May 1979 with the
objectives of promoting development of telecommunications in the
Asia-Pacific region and consolidating and enhancing regional telecommunications networks. It operates the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity Standardization Program (ASTAP) and develops human resources related to telecommunications.
Now, all kinds of information systems function together using the
telecommunications infrastructure, and for people around the world it is indispensable and permeates all corners of daily life and economic activity. The flow of data has reached astronomical levels and use of ICT is advancing, with use of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). As such, expectations are expanding and increasing, both for the role of international organizations like the ITU and for contributions from Japan, with its advanced technologies.
The ITU Association of Japan was established in September 1971 and
through its activities it operates like a bridge between its supporting
members and the activities of the ITU, the APT (Asia-Pacific Telecommunity) and the Japanese government. The ITUAJ has been supporting the work of relevant Japanese organizations in the major ITU meetings and the dissemination of information thereof. I think that we must not only positively continue our fundamental role of supporting the activities of the ITU’s Radiocommunication, Telecommunication Standardization and Telecommunication Development Sectors, but also engage in furthering technical and international cooperation with other related international bodies.
While striving to strengthen the cooperation between the government, private industry and academic bodies in Japan and working together with our supporting members and related parties and through the sharing of information, I would also like to endeavor to raise Japan’s presence in the world and thereby further the development of those supporting members.
I very much hope that all of you will continue to appreciate our association and its activities and that you will continue to offer your support and encouragement..

Tetsuo YAMAKAWA
President of The ITU Association of Japan