Carrying Forward Shinzo Abe’s Vision ― A Financial AI Protocol for Ethical Innovation and Global Security

by Editor BGF | Mar 29, 2025 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News

Yasuhide Nakayama, Tokyo, March 28, 2025

Today, the world stands at the beginning of an era unlike any before―a time of tremendous technological change. Among these changes, artificial intelligence (AI) is already transforming how our economies and societies function, and the financial world is no exception.

We must guide this transformation so that it leads to prosperity and safety for all people. The proposal I present today―the Abe Financial AI Protocol―is a framework inspired by the vision and values of the late Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. It provides direction for how financial systems should operate in the age of AI.

Prime Minister Abe always based his policies on universal values: freedom, democracy, the rule of law, and human dignity. The Abe Financial AI Protocol is also built on these principles. It aims to create a financial system that is open and secure, where trust and transparency support innovation. This protocol reflects the idea of “Society 5.0”― a society where technology serves people―and embraces the concept of “Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT),” which Japan has championed on the global stage.

With these frameworks, we seek to make sure AI brings benefits to many, while protecting human rights and dignity.

Prime Minister Abe often said, “Without economic revitalization, there can be neither national prosperity nor national security.” This belief is at the heart of the economic strategy behind this protocol. By using financial technologies (fintech) and AI, we can drive economic growth, improve financial services, and create new industries. In doing so, we can once again revitalize Japan’s economy and tackle long-term challenges such as our aging population. These efforts carry forward the spirit of Abenomics―a policy focused on inclusive growth that reaches all citizens.

At the same time, innovation must always go hand-in-hand with safety and security. In the financial world, the misuse of AI can pose serious threats―from destabilizing the economy to disrupting daily life.

We must protect society against AI-driven financial crimes, cyberattacks on infrastructure, and the harmful use of new technologies. Just as Prime Minister Abe strengthened Japan’s national security under the idea of “Proactive Contribution to Peace,” this protocol places great importance on defending our financial systems in the AI era. We must update legal frameworks, ensure transparency in algorithms, and give our regulators and law enforcement the tools they need to keep us safe.

In addition, allow me to speak from the perspective of a politician.
Japan once achieved remarkable postwar recovery and high economic growth as a nation built on “processing trade.”

With few natural resources, Japan’s greatest asset has always been its people. Under a fixed exchange rate of 360 yen to the US dollar, our country leveraged human talent and technological skill to open new markets and compete on the global stage.

Today, however, we face a new set of challenges―population decline, a low birthrate, and an aging society. We must not cling to past successes, but instead develop new strategies for sustainable growth. The keys to this will be greater productivity and stronger international technological cooperation.

In particular, we should pay close attention to Israel, a nation involved in some form with roughly 70% of the world’s startups. Their strength lies in creating “0 to 1” innovations―groundbreaking ideas that are then absorbed by Silicon Valley and global tech giants like GAFA (Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon), leading to worldwide success.

Japan, too, must import such deep technologies from Israel and other innovative ecosystems, refine and commercialize them at home, and export them to the world as “Made in Japan” products. In this way, we can rebuild ourselves as a 21st-century processing trade nation. Japan has the discernment―the “mind’s eye”―to distinguish what is genuine. With this, we can form partnerships with global startups and implement a national strategy focused on enhancing productivity.

Just yesterday, I received a presentation from the Dean of the School of Science and Engineering at Waseda University and several student entrepreneurs. I strongly felt that Japan’s younger generation is filled with promise. The technologies they are creating―from zero to one―will surely be commercialized and implemented in society very soon. And yet, I couldn’t help but think how unfortunate it would be to waste the time between now and then.

We must also learn from the world, bring in the best ideas, and work together with countries and organizations that can offer synergy.

Let us not be distracted by political conflicts. Instead, let us keep our focus on what truly matters. Let us set clear national goals and build a new future―together.

In closing, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you who have gathered here today and to everyone who actively participated in our discussions. I offer my deepest respect and appreciation to Governor Michael Dukakis and Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan for their outstanding leadership of the Boston Global Forum and their tireless efforts in organizing this event. I also extend my sincere thanks to Ms. Nobue Mita, Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Boston Global Forum, for her invaluable support in advancing this protocol and in preparing this important conference.

Thank you very much for your kind attention.

Honoring Abe’s Vision: Powering a Peaceful World with Government 24/7

by Editor BGF | Mar 29, 2025 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News

Opening Remarks of Governor Michael Dukakis at the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference, March 28, 2025

Good morning, distinguished guests, friends, and colleagues. It is an honor to address you today at the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference. I regret that I cannot join you in person in Tokyo, but I am with you in spirit, and I am delighted that Nguyen Anh Tuan, Co-Chair and CEO of the Boston Global Forum, is there to represent us and engage with you directly. I would also like to extend a warm greeting to Minoru Kiuchi, Japan’s Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, who joins us as a distinguished speaker today. Your leadership in advancing science and technology is vital to the conversations we are having here, and we are grateful for your presence.

We gather today to celebrate the legacy of a truly remarkable leader, Shinzo Abe. Prime Minister Abe was not only a visionary statesman but also a great friend of the Boston Global Forum. His dedication to peace, security, and global cooperation earned him the prestigious World Leader for Peace and Security Award—an honor that reflects his extraordinary contributions to making our world a better place. His leadership continues to inspire us, and this conference stands as a testament to his enduring impact.

Today, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment. The world is changing rapidly, driven by the transformative power of artificial intelligence. This revolution touches every aspect of our lives—how we work, how we connect, how we govern. With such profound change comes a critical responsibility for governments to adapt, to reform, and to reimagine how we serve our citizens. Our mission is clear: to harness these advancements to make our people happier, our societies more peaceful, and our world safer. This is not just an opportunity—it is an urgent necessity.

At this very important moment, we must commit to building a better world together. One promising solution lies in the concept of the AI World Society Government 24/7—an innovative framework that leverages AI to enhance governance, ensuring it is responsive, transparent, and accessible around the clock. This vision aligns with the values Shinzo Abe championed: progress, stability, and a deep commitment to the well-being of all. I invite you—leaders, thinkers, and innovators—to join us in building AIWS Government 24/7, a model for the future that can reshape how we lead and serve.

While I cannot be with you in Tokyo, I am thrilled that Nguyen Anh Tuan will carry this message forward. His presence at this conference highlights a significant trip to Japan, which began on March 24, 2025, during which he has engaged with government leaders, business visionaries, distinguished scholars, and outstanding students, as well as participated in key political events. The mission of his trip is to advance the AIWS and Shinzo Abe Initiative, fostering deeper connections between Japan and the United States, and amplifying Japan’s vital role on the global stage through the AIWS Government 24/7 initiative.

Let us seize this moment to honor Shinzo Abe’s legacy—not just with words, but with action. Together, we can forge a future that reflects his vision: a world of peace, security, and shared prosperity. I am confident that, with your leadership and collaboration—including the insights of Minister Kiuchi and so many others here—we will succeed. Thank you for your dedication, your ideas, and your partnership. Let us move forward with purpose and unity to create the future our citizens deserve. 

Distinguished Leaders at the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference: A Spotlight

by Editor BGF | Mar 22, 2025 | Shinzo Abe Initiative for Peace and Security, News

The Boston Global Forum (BGF) is honored to introduce two distinguished leaders among those attending and speaking at the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference: Japanese Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy Minoru Kiuchi and BGF Co-Chair and CEO Nguyen Anh Tuan, highlighted by distinguished writers in this official publication of the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference.

Minister Minoru Kiuchi: Bridging Innovation and Governance at the 4th Shinzo Abe Conference – An Official Spotlight

Minoru Kiuchi serves as Japan’s Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy in the Ishiba Cabinet, a position he assumed on October 1, 2024, under Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba. A veteran member of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the House of Representatives, Kiuchi represents Shizuoka Prefecture’s 7th District, having been elected seven times since 2003. With a distinguished career spanning diplomacy and politics, he brings a wealth of experience to his current portfolio, which also includes responsibilities for Economic Security, the “Cool Japan” Strategy, Intellectual Property Strategy, and Space Policy.

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Nguyen Anh Tuan, Architect of AI Innovation and Global Enlightenment

Nguyen Anh Tuan is a visionary leader and innovator who has used his deep understanding of global technology, media, and governance to look forward to a world governed by a social contract of promise and possibility. He serves as the Co-Chair and CEO of the Boston Global Forum (BGF), co-founded in 2012 with former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis.

BGF has emerged as a “think and do” tank dedicated to fostering peace, security, and innovation through international collaboration, particularly at the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, political exchange, and cultural exchange. It is a mission Tuan personifies; in other capacities he is a Distinguished Member of the Wilson Center’s Institute for Strategic Competition Steering Committee, co-founder of the Michael Dukakis Institute for Leadership and Innovation (MDI) and of the AI World Society (AIWS) Initiative, launched with Governor Dukakis in 2017, to advance ethical AI development. His AIWS Government 24/7 Initiative—envisioning AI-driven governance with governments serving citizens 24/7—earned him the title of Person of the Year 2018 from Vietnam National Television (VTV). In January 2025, Nguyen Anh Tuan was honored with the UNGSII Award at Davos, recognizing his outstanding leadership and contributions to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through AI innovation.

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