APEC's Internet program

APEC's Internet program

TOKYO (AFP): Japan's post and telecommunications ministry announced yesterday an agreement with Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore and the United States to promote international interconnections on the Internet.

The ministry said the accord was part of a trial project for next-generation electronic commerce approved by the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Shanghai in September last year, adding that it planned to make a similar proposal at a Group of Seven meeting in Rome in October.

Under the agreement reached by the APEC telecommunications working group in Tapei last week, basic plans will be consolidated by the end of this month, the ministry said.

About 100 Japanese companies, including banks, machinery manufacturers and telecommunications carriers, are taking part in the trial project which aims to iron out communications and security problems with electronic commerce.