Press Releases
Dispatch of a Public–Private Cybersecurity Mission to the Republic of Panama (Results)
January 22, 2026
From January 19 to 22 (local time: January 18 to 21), a public–private cybersecurity mission was dispatched to the Republic of Panama. During the visit, the Japan–Panama Public–Private Cybersecurity Meeting was held in Panama City.
- From the Japanese (mission) side, participants included Mr. WATANABE Shige, Ambassador in charge of Economic Diplomacy, Deputy Assistant Minister, Economic Affairs Bureau, Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan; Mr. SAMIZO Keitaro, Director for Security and Emergency Management Office, Ports and Harbours Bureau, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism; Mr. FUJIWARA Hiromichi, Director for International Policy (Principal Senior Coordinator), International Policy Planning office, Industrial Port Policy Division, Ports and Harbours Bureau of the same Ministry; Mr. IDE Hiroyuki, Senior Advisor (ICT), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA); and Mr. NAKATANI Noboru, Representative Director of Japan Cybercrime Control Center, among others. From the Panamanian side, participants included H.E. Mr. Carlos Arturo Hoyos Boyd, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, attending on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs; H.E. Mr. Adolfo Fábrega, General Administrator of the Innovation Authority for the Republic of Panama; as well as officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Innovation Authority, the Ministry of Public Security, the Panama Maritime Authority, the National Secretariat for Science, Technology and Innovation.
- During the meeting, discussions were held on public–private initiatives undertaken by both countries in the field of cybersecurity, particularly with respect to critical infrastructure such as the Panama Canal and ports, as well as on potential areas for bilateral cooperation.
- During the stay in Panama, the public–private cybersecurity mission also conducted exchanges of views with officials of the Panama Canal Authority, the Innovation Authority, and port operating companies.
- This mission was dispatched based on the shared understanding reached during President Mulino’s visit to Japan in September last year to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the field of cybersecurity.