Mitsubishi Research Institute and Sakura Internet Begin Examining Collaboration in Digital Government x Sovereign Domain

Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Kenji Yabuta; hereinafter referred to as MRI) and Sakura Internet Inc. (Headquarters: Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture; President: Kunihiro Tanaka; hereinafter referred to as Sakura Internet) have begun examining collaboration in the digital government x sovereign domain (*1).

By combining MRI's extensive experience, knowledge, and know-how in administrative consulting with Sakura Internet's secure cloud technology, cultivated through providing the domestic cloud service "Sakura Cloud" that supports digital sovereignty (*2), we will jointly promote initiatives to support the digital transformation of central government ministries and local authorities.

## 1. Overview
Under the government's "Cloud-by-Default Principle" (*3), the migration of administrative systems to the cloud and strengthening security are urgent issues. In recent years, discussions surrounding economic security and the digital deficit have become more active, increasing attention to the necessity of sovereign clouds that support data sovereignty and resilience.

In light of these trends, MRI and Sakura Internet will, through this collaboration study, examine initiatives that contribute to improving the reliability, security, and transparency of digital government.

## 2. Future Developments
The two companies will advance discussions on the potential for collaboration to further enhance the reliability and security of digital public infrastructure. Additionally, they will deepen discussions on how to address digital sovereignty requirements in the sovereign domain, the advancement of administrative services that lead to the resolution of social issues, and contributions to the development of digital government.

*1: Domain where data and IT infrastructure can be sovereignly managed under domestic laws and regulations.
*2: Primarily a collective term for data sovereignty, system sovereignty, operational sovereignty, and technological sovereignty.
*3: A government policy that prioritizes the use of cloud services when building or updating government information systems.

## 3. Reference
**Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.**
* Name: Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc.
* Location: 2-10-3 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
* Representative's Position and Name: President and CEO Kenji Yabuta
* Business Description: Think tank and consulting services, IT services
* Capital: 6,336.24 million yen
* Date Established: May 8, 1970

**Sakura Internet Inc.**
* Name: Sakura Internet Inc.
* Location: 3F, North Building, Grand Green Osaka, 6-38 Fukuzumi-cho, Kita-ku, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture
* Representative's Position and Name: President Kunihiro Tanaka
* Business Description: Provision of cloud computing services, operation of data centers
* Capital: 11,283.16 million yen
* Date Founded: December 23, 1996