A researcher, professor and federal policy adviser, he guided students who went on to do groundbreaking work in connecting the world online.

Japan and Britain have agreed to expand cooperation on cybersecurity and critical mineral supply chains, framing the move as a strategic response to intensifying geopolitical, economic, and technological pressures. The British and Japanese cybersecurity strategy and agreement were confirmed during British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s overnight visit to Tokyo, where leaders from both countries reaffirmed their commitment to collective security and economic resilience.  At a joint news conference in Tokyo, Starmer said the timing of his visit was shaped by mounting global instability. “Geopolitical, economic, and technological shocks are literally shaking the world,” he said, adding that he and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had agreed to strengthen collective security across the Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific. Central to those efforts is the launch of a new cyber strategic partnership intended “to improve our cybersecurity to protect our economy,” placing cybersecurity in Japan and in the UK at the core of bilateral cooperation.  Starmer’s Tokyo stop came immediately after he visited Beijing, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and agreed to seek a long-term, stable “strategic partnership.”

Britain and Japanese Cybersecurity Strategy Also Includes Minerals and Supply Chain Resilience 

Alongside British and Japanese cybersecurity strategies, leaders from both nations focused on the strategic importance of critical minerals, which are essential for advanced manufacturing, clean energy technologies, and defense systems. Prime Minister Takaichi pointed to growing concerns over global export restrictions, stressing the urgency of cooperation among trusted partners. “We agreed that the like-minded countries must work together” to strengthen supply chain resilience, she said.  Britain's and Japan's cybersecurity strategy also includes securing access to critical minerals and has become a national security issue as much as an economic one. Disruptions to supply chains could affect everything from digital infrastructure to defense readiness, making cooperation between Tokyo and London a key pillar of broader economic resilience. The bilateral discussions took place as Japan faces heightened tensions with China, particularly after comments by Takaichi regarding possible Japanese involvement if China were to take military action against Taiwan, the self-governing island claimed by Beijing. These tensions have added urgency to Japan and Britain’s efforts to diversify supply chains and reinforce strategic partnerships.

Wider Security Alignments Across Europe and the Indo-Pacific 

Tokyo talks unfolded against a backdrop of expanding international security cooperation. According to The Associated Press, Japan and the European Union announced a new security and defense partnership the previous day, marking the first such agreement between the EU and an Indo-Pacific country. Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the partnership aims to strengthen military ties through joint exercises and increased exchanges between defense industries.  Borrell, speaking in Tokyo, described the global environment in stark terms. “We live in a very dangerous world. We live in a world of growing rivalries, climate accidents, and threats of war,” he said, arguing that “partnerships among friends” are the only effective response. He called the EU-Japan agreement “a historical and very timely step given the situation in both of our regions.” The partnership includes cooperation on cybersecurity and space defense, reinforcing the shared view that digital and hybrid threats are central to modern security challenges.  Borrell’s visit to Japan was part of a broader East Asia tour that also included South Korea, reflecting the EU’s increasing engagement in the Indo-Pacific. The tour comes as China and Russia expand joint military activities and North Korea deepens its cooperation with Moscow, including sending troops to Russia. The Tokyo discussions followed North Korea’s test launch of what is believed to be a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile.  Iwaya and Borrell expressed “grave concern” over Russia’s growing military cooperation with North Korea, including troop deployments and arms transfers, and reiterated their commitment to supporting Ukraine while condemning Russian aggression. 

Japan is set to hold its first public-private sector tabletop exercise to prepare for large-scale cyberattacks, particularly targeting critical infrastructure. The drill, scheduled for December 18th, will involve the central government, the Tokyo metropolitan government, and major infrastructure operators across the capital region.  The exercise comes during multiple cyberattacks in Japan, which have increasingly targeted sectors essential to daily life and economic activity. By simulating infrastructure disruptions, officials aim to identify vulnerabilities and establish a coordinated public-private response framework.  The exercise is designed around a scenario in which a sudden, large-scale power outage of unknown origin hits the Tokyo metropolitan area. Participants will simulate cascading disruptions affecting water supply, telecommunications, internet services, traffic networks, and railway operations. The goal is to replicate the chain reactions that could occur if Japan's cyberattacks multiple systems simultaneously.  If power outages are prolonged, healthcare facilities could face urgent challenges, including the care of patients dependent on ventilators or dialysis machines. Similarly, persistent traffic congestion could delay fuel deliveries, including gasoline and diesel, with serious repercussions for everyday life and commercial activity. 

Collaboration Between Public and Private Sectors 

The cybersecurity drill will involve key infrastructure sectors in Tokyo, including electricity, gas, telecommunications, healthcare, and finance. The National Security Secretariat and the Tokyo metropolitan government are leading the exercise, with participation from major private-sector operators. Officials hope the exercise will clarify existing coordination challenges and strengthen preparedness for real-world incidents.  By conducting its first public-private cyber drill, Japan seeks not only to test operational readiness but also to reinforce collaboration between government agencies and private infrastructure operators. The simulation emphasizes the need for real-time communication, rapid decision-making, and coordinated measures to mitigate the impact of cyber incidents. 

Strengthening Japan’s Cyber Resilience 

This marks an important step in Japan’s response to cyberattacks, particularly as the country has faced a series of incidents targeting critical infrastructure in recent years. Experts note that Japan, with its highly interconnected urban infrastructure, is particularly vulnerable to cyberattacks that can trigger cascading failures.   Disruptions in one sector, such as electricity, can quickly affect water distribution, transportation networks, healthcare facilities, and financial services. The Tokyo metropolitan area, as the nation’s economic and political center, is especially critical in this context.  As Japan faces new cyber threats from highly skilled cyber actors, exercises such as this one in Tokyo are expected to become a regular component of national cybersecurity strategy. Officials believe that repeated drills will help identify gaps, improve response protocols, and enhance resilience against future cyberattacks on Japan’s essential infrastructure.