Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Microsoft Japan Corporation (Microsoft Japan) signed a Comprehensive Collaborative Agreement (the “Agreement”) on August 31, 2012. The signing took place between Kazuhisa Arai, Chief Digital Officer (CDO) of JICA, and Ryota Sato, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Public Sector Business Division of Microsoft Japan Co. The purpose of this agreement is for JICA and Microsoft Japan to mutually collaborate and cooperate to promote digital transformation (“DX”) initiatives and contribute to the realization of a resilient and sustainable society where each individual can achieve a diverse range of happiness. JICA has set forth its “DX Vision” (*), which aims to create a society where each individual can realize a safe life and diverse opportunities and happiness through the use of digital technology, and is promoting DX across the board in terms of business, organization, and human resources. We will create greater development impact through the use of digital technology to address the increasingly diverse, complex, and wide-ranging issues facing developing countries.
Through our extensive DX expertise using Microsoft cloud services, Microsoft Japan works with a variety of partners to support DX for our customers to help solve issues in Japanese society and markets.
Through collaboration and cooperation based on this agreement, the two parties will aim to realize quicker and more effective projects that better meet the needs of developing countries by using JICA’s project data as a starting point and utilizing the latest technologies such as AI. Specifically, the following initiatives will be promoted.
Data-driven organization and business operations
Visualization of trends and development issues in developing countries and regions, the implementation status and effects of JICA projects, and the knowledge and networks accumulated through project implementation.
● Improve synergy through collaboration and co-creation by sharing real-time information with various partners and stakeholders involved in JICA projects.
● Expedite the start-up of the business through streamlining of business processes.
[Working to overcome constraints].
To realize flexible and efficient work styles that are not restricted by location, time, or other factors.
Digital skills of executives and employees
Promote the use of digital technology to address business needs and operational issues by improving the skills and literacy of executives and employees.
About Microsoft Japan Co.
Microsoft Japan, Inc. is the Japanese subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft is enabling digital transformation in the era of intelligent cloud and intelligent edge. Our corporate mission is “Empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
About Japan International Cooperation Agency
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is an implementing agency that integrates Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA), including technical cooperation, grant aid and grant aid, to solve problems faced by developing countries, and operates in more than 150 countries and regions. With the vision of “Connecting the world with trust,” JICA cooperates with partners at home and abroad to create a free, peaceful, and prosperous world where people can believe in a bright future and pursue diverse possibilities.
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