Cybersecurity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Opportunities in Japan

On January 22, Sasakawa USA held a special roundtable discussion with participants of the December 2017 Sasakawa USA Emerging Experts Delegation (SEED) trip to Japan who were selected in partnership with the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). The delegation was led by Dr. Daniel Kliman, Asia-Pacific Security Program Senior Fellow of CNAS, and included seven other representatives from the defense industry, financial and technology sectors, consulting firms, and civil society organizations. The trip included meetings with Japanese experts in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto to discuss shared cybersecurity challenges, the emerging innovation ecosystem in Japan, and U.S.-Japan cooperation in these areas.

At this private gathering, the delegates had the opportunity to expand their network and to exchange thoughts on their major takeaways from the trip with a group of approximately 15 guests, including representatives of Japanese organizations they met on the trip and other cybersecurity experts in Washington.

The roundtable centered on “Cybersecurity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Challenges and Opportunities in Japan” and the discussion was led by two of the SEED delegates, Megan Stifel, Cybersecurity Policy Director at Public Knowledge, and Daniel Charles, CEO of Charles Bernard Ventures. Participants discussed themes such as the trajectory of Japan’s cyber defense policies; U.S.-Japan cooperation in the cyber domain; similarities and differences in approaches to cybersecurity in the private and public sector in both countries; and the role culture plays in innovation.

Invited guests weighed in with their perspectives on these topics, which further enriched the conversation. The discussion wrapped up with a networking session for delegates and guests.

The event was invitation-only and the discussion was held off-the-record.

Click for more information on the Sasakawa USA Emerging Experts Delegation (SEED) Program.