JPRS Comment on ICANN Strategic Plan

(Submitted: 28 February 2005)

Dear ICANN,

First of all, JPRS, as the .JP ccTLD manager, appreciates ICANN's significant efforts in developing and releasing "ICANN Strategic Plan 2003-04 to 2006-07." In addition, JPRS strongly supports the current framework in which ICANN carries out global technical coordination of Internet systems of unique identifiers, with participation of various stakeholders. Based on the above, I would like to state JPRS comments on the Strategic Plan as follows.

1. Stability and security of the Internet systems of unique identifiers, including the DNS

1.1. To preserve the stability and security of DNS, we expect that ICANN address the following issues as the priority:


a. Completion of transfer of the root management responsibility from the US Government to ICANN;
b. Establishment of responsible relationships between ICANN and each root server operator; and
c. Accommodation of IPv6 addresses in the root zone.


1.2. As for the enhancement of core IANA services and support services listed in page 21, we hope ICANN defines which specific part of each service should be strengthened and to what extent, with what amount of spending. We would expect ICANN defines them through consultation with ccTLD community from the initial phase. JPRS, as the ccTLD registry and member of ccNSO, would be pleased to offer support in the process.



2. ICANN regional offices

2.1. We suggest that ICANN identify more concretely what services and operation ICANN is proposing as the responsibility of the regional offices.

2.2. Need and purpose of establishing each office should be different from one region to another, so it should be judged separately for each region on a case-by-case basis.

2.3. Further, JPRS expects ICANN to take advantage of existing outreach efforts already made by the local and regional organizations such as JPRS and APTLD. We are willing to collaborate with ICANN in addressing the regional presence issue.



3. Multilingual communications

JPRS generally supports ICANN's multilingual communications strategy, provided that ICANN releases such information in a timely manner and takes proper balance between prompt delivery and multilingual translation. In other words, we believe the prompt communication should not be undermined by translation process.



4. Funding source: new registry services

In page 62, it is stated that ICANN could derive fees from the revenue stream flowing to registries as a result of new registry services. Each ccTLD decides its registration policies and services through consultation at the local level. The ccTLD registry services do not need ICANN's approval, and the registries should not be required to pay any fee to ICANN for introducing their new services.



5. Formalized relationships with ccTLD managers

To ensure the stable and secure functioning of the domain name system, it is essential to develop formalized relationships between ICANN and ccTLD managers. We expect ICANN to make this a top priority in the whole strategy. As the ccTLD manager with experience of building contractual relationship with ICANN, JPRS is prepared to provide assistance as needed.

I would like to state JPRS's commitment to support ICANN, and hope the above comments would be of help for ICANN in further refining and implementing its strategy.

Regards,

Koki Higashida
President, Japan Registry Services Co., Ltd. (JPRS)