Shinzo Abe was Prime Minister of Japan from 2006-2007 and again from 2012-2020. During his time as Prime Minister, Abe reinforced nation-wide Cybersecurity in Japan and launched the Basic Action Cybersecurity program and Cybersecurity Strategy.

In PM Abe’s view, cybersecurity is a critical issue to the national security and Japan’s crisis management, as well as an important element fostering the Japan’s Growth Strategy. He said his government will “take all possible means to ensure cybersecurity”, given its mission of successfully hosting Ise-Shima Summit in 2016, Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020.

In his speech, PM Abe also stressed that “We are now engaged as a national in all our efforts to reinforce cybersecurity. Theses include the Government’s enactment of the Basic Action Cybersecurity in Nov 2014 and a Cabinet Decision taken in Sep this year on our new Cybersecurity Strategy”, and expressed his commitment to cooperate with international communities in the fight against cyber crime: “Japan will continue to cooperate closely with the US and other partners in the International community, reliably safeguard our nation’s important information and property while playing a leading role in achieving the peace and stability of the international community.”

Watch the full speech of PM Abe