Japan grows wary of China's smart-city global standards

Competition and national security concerns arise if Beijing takes the lead

20200804N China surveillance cameras

Surveillance cameras overlook a street in Beijing. China plans to construct more than 100 smart cities across the country, replete with facial recognition cameras and drones. © Reuters

HIROYUKI AKIYAMA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- The Japanese government has grown increasingly concerned about China's proposed international standards for smart cities, worried about a competitive disadvantage as companies vie for business.

China has already submitted smart-city proposals to both the International Organization for Standardization, or ISO, and the International Electrotechnical Commission, according to a source close to the government here.

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