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Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd. (Head Office in Tokyo, Japan; President: Satoshi Murabayashi; MURC) and e-Governance Academy (Head Office in Talin, Estonia; Executive Director: Hannes Astok; eGA) established Digital Governance Academy Asia-Pacific Co., Ltd. (D-GAP) on December 8 with the aim of providing digital transformation services for government and corporate services in Japan and Asia region.
D-GAP will use the knowledge and technology accumulated by the Republic of Estonia, one of the world’s most advanced digital society, to provide high-quality training, research and consulting services to meet the diverse needs related to the digital government in Japan and overseas.

1.Purpose and background

On July 17 this year, the Government of Japan adopted the “Basic Policies for Economic and Fiscal Management and Reform 2020” and is vigorously promoting the digitization of the Japanese society as a whole with a view to realizing an inclusive society that supports “new daily life” with COVID-19. In addition, under the new Suga administration, a preparatory office was established at the end of September for the establishment of the new Digital Agency, and the promotion of digital government in the central and local governments is expected to accelerate efforts to implement one-stop, once-only approach in public administration procedures and the one-stop, one-only approach. Meanwhile, the momentum for promoting digital government is increasing in Asian countries as well.
The knowledge of digital government of Republic of Estonia benefits to the development of digital government in Japan, as Estonia provides 99% of public services already online.
D-GAP, which was established as a joint venture between MURC and eGA, is a Japanese corporation with 60% stake in MURC and 40% stake in eGA. D-GAP will contribute to the development of digital government in Japan, Asia, and other countries by utilizing the knowledge and best practices possessed by both parties.

2.Digital Governance Academy Asia-Pacific Co., Ltd.

Name	Digital Governance Academy Asia-Pacific KK （English: Digital Governance Academy Asia-Pacific Co., Ltd.）
Date established	December 8, 2020
Common stock	9.8 million Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd. 60% e-Governance Academy 40%
Representative Director	Kazunari Kudo
Address	2F, 2-5, 1-77, Higashisakaemachi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima, Japan
Facebook	https://www.facebook.com/DGAP.jp
Business Activities	Training research and consulting on digital government in Japan and overseas

3.Comment by Representative

■ Hannes Astok, Executive Director , e-Governance Academy
It is a great honor for me to join MURC in launching digital governance projects in Japan and Asia. Digital governance is an integral part of modern government. This is a new option to provide public services safely and remotely, save citizens and businesses time, and restore the economy and society. We want to share 25 years of experience in the development of Estonia’s digital government and lessons learned to make digital change a reality globally.

■ Satoshi Murabayashi , President , Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd.
The importance of promoting digital government in Japan has been widely reaffirmed. This joint venture company named D-GAP will make sincere efforts to promote digital transformation in a wide range of societies in the Asian region. D-GAP will share the Estonian philosophy and experience on how digital transformation can benefit a whole society and economy, not only by improving the efficiency of administration.

4.Overview of each organization

■ e-Governance Academy
eGA is a non-profit consulting organization founded in 2002 as a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Open Society Institute, and the Government of Estonia to create and transfer knowledge and best practices in the area of public sector digital transformation. e-Governance Academy’s management system for its project management, study visits, and consulting services meet the ISO 9001:2015 standard. To date, eGA has consulted government officials, in policymaking and implementation of e-government, the establishment of organizations, and legal and technical frameworks and management in over 130 countries.
URL：https://ega.ee/

■ Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd
MURC is a think tank and consulting firm within Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group (MUFG). It has offices in Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka, and drives a variety of projects including consultancy services for firms, policy research for national and local governments, management information services, human resource development, and economic research.
URL：https://www.murc.jp/

Media contacts

Corporate Communications Dept., Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting Co., Ltd
5-11-2 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-8501, Japan
E-mail：info@murc.jp

[News Release] Joint venture with e-Governance Academy in the Republic of Estonia Digital Governance Academy Asia-Pacific Co., Ltd. established.～Promoting Digital Government Business Focused on Japan and Asia～

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