What stance will the company adopt in its communication and cooperation with government and regulatory bodies?
Created At: 8/15/2025Updated At: 8/17/2025
Answer (1)
Answer: Okay, let's break this down in everyday terms.
Imagine LY Corporation (the company formed by the merger of LINE and Yahoo Japan) as a big boss running a supermarket in a neighborhood complex. The government and regulatory bodies are like the complex's property management and various inspectors (fire, health, commerce, etc.). So, how does this big boss interact with the property managers and inspectors?
The "position" essentially refers to a set of fundamental principles guiding interactions. For LY Corporation, it boils down to these key points:
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### # What position will the company adopt in its communication and cooperation with governments and regulatory agencies?
Simply put, LY Corporation's position can be summarized as: **Acting as a "model student" who communicates proactively and complies with rules, while also being a "savvy individual" who knows how to protect the interests of itself and its users.** This is neither a simple stance of blind "obedience/compliance" nor outright "confrontation," but rather a complex yet pragmatic art of balance.
Specifically, it can be broken down into several dimensions:
#### ## 1. "Playing by the Rules" is the Baseline, Not the End Goal (Compliance is Fundamental)
This is like running a supermarket: you absolutely need a business license, food must meet safety standards, and fire exits must stay clear. These are the most basic requirements—non-negotiable.
* **What they do:** LY Corporation will strictly adhere to the laws and regulations of its operating countries (primarily Japan), especially concerning data security, personal privacy protection, anti-trust, etc. For example, if the government specifies how data must be stored or what user privacy agreements must look like, the company follows suit.
* **Why they do it:** This is the operating license allowing the company to "open its doors for business." Failure to comply could mean fines or, in severe cases, license revocation and outright shutdown. Compliance is fundamental to their survival.
#### ## 2. "Proactive Communication" is the Key, Not "Passive Reception" (Active Engagement is Strategy)
Just following the rules isn't enough. A smart supermarket owner wouldn't wait for the property management to show up before saying, "Oh, I'll fix it." They proactively build relationships—like notifying about upcoming promotions in advance or voluntarily reporting on security measures.
* **What they do:** LY Corporation will establish a dedicated team (often called "Government Relations" or "Public Affairs") to maintain regular, proactive communication with government and regulatory bodies. They will actively report on the company's developments, technological updates, and efforts in data security.
* **An analogy:** Take the recent "data security disputes" (where the Japanese government was concerned about LY's data being influenced by its Korean parent company, Naver). LY shouldn't wait for the government to get angry before explaining. They need to present solutions proactively, like "We plan to adjust our shareholding structure" or "We are progressively transferring data management control to Japan." They use concrete actions and plans to demonstrate commitment and goodwill, thereby building trust.
#### ## 3. "Using Data and Expertise to Advocate" for a "Reasonable" Regulatory Environment (Professional Advocacy is the Tool)
Sometimes, regulators might not fully understand real-world business operations and introduce "one-size-fits-all" rules—like "All supermarkets must close by 8 PM." The owner shouldn't just complain; they need to communicate using data and sound reasoning.
* **What they do:** When new government policies are proposed, LY Corporation leverages its industry expertise and data to offer professional suggestions. They explain the potential impact of a policy on industry innovation, user experience, or even the economy.
* **The core idea is:** "We understand your concerns and support your goals (like protecting users). However, could there be a better way to achieve this goal? For example, by doing X and Y... this could protect users without stifling industry development." This isn't confrontation but constructive engagement, helping the government formulate more scientific and rational regulations.
#### ## 4. "Balancing Multiple Interests" is the Core Art (A Tripartite Win for Users, Company, and Government is the Goal)
LY Corporation doesn't exist in isolation. Behind it are users, employees, shareholders (including Japan's SoftBank and Korea's Naver), and before it stands the government. Its position must consider all their interests.
* **What they do:** In decision-making, LY strives to find a balanced point.
* **Towards Government:** Demonstrate a cooperative and responsible attitude, meeting requirements for national security and citizen data protection.
* **Towards Users:** Must protect user privacy and experience—the bedrock of the business.
* **Towards Shareholders/Parent Company:** Need to consider commercial realities and technological cooperation.
* **Why it's difficult:** Take the current situation. The Japanese government wants to reduce Naver's influence, but Naver is a key technology provider and shareholder. LY is like a "child" caught in the middle, needing to heed the "parental guardians" (government) while not entirely disregarding the "biological father" (parent company). So its position must be: **To find the solution that minimizes business disruption while meeting regulatory requirements—an outcome barely acceptable to all parties involved.**
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### ### Summary
Overall, LY Corporation approaches interactions with the government like a socially savvy individual:
* **Overtly:** Project a cooperative, proactive, and transparent attitude, striving to be a "good child" that puts the government at ease.
* **Practically:** Within this process, use expertise and communication skills to subtly guide policy direction, securing the most favorable development space for itself and its users.
The core of this position is **achieving a maximized balance between commercial interests and public interests within the framework of compliance, through proactive communication and professional competency.**
Created At: 08-15 06:06:37Updated At: 08-15 10:37:05