Former Digital Minister Masaaki Taira: 'When I Create a PT, It Almost Becomes National Policy' — Explains 'AI On-Chain Finance Initiative PT' Recommendations and 'Project Glasswing Japan' at T4IS2026

Highlights of this release:

'When I create a PT (Project Team), it almost becomes national policy.' — Mr. Taira presented his track record of continuously launching technology policy PTs within the LDP, including the Web3/Blockchain PT in 2022, the Generative AI PT in 2023, the Cybersecurity/Fusion Energy PT in 2024, and the AI On-Chain Finance Initiative PT in 2026.

'Project Glasswing Japan' kicked off last Friday — Led by the Financial Services Agency under Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, it convenes the Bank of Japan, the Tokyo Stock Exchange, and the three megabanks. As the Japanese version of U.S. Project Glasswing launched by Treasury Secretary Bessent, it begins proactive cyber defense in the financial sector based on Anthropic's threat report.

The expanded Glasswing will be headed by the National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC), with collaboration from relevant ministries such as AISI, METI, MLIT, and overseas frontier model companies (Anthropic/OpenAI/Google/Microsoft) — extending its scope to critical infrastructures like electricity, gas, communications, and transportation.

'AI can't have a bank account, so let's use stablecoins.' — As the acting chairman of the AI On-Chain Finance Initiative PT, he hinted at the financial infrastructure for the agentic AI era. Policy recommendations are scheduled to be announced after the Golden Week holidays (Chairman: Seiji Kihara, Secretary-General: Hideki Murai / both from the Ministry of Finance).

He declared a 1 trillion yen public-private investment in AI x Robotics and the construction of a physical AI foundation model — also reflected in the summary of the recent AI White Paper. It covers agentic AI, vertical AI, AI for Education, and AI for Defense.

The AI Safety Institute (AISI) was established as Asia's first, under then-Minister Sanae Takaichi (current Prime Minister) — originating from a proposal by an LDP PT two years ago.

'The most politically stable G7 country right now is our own.' — He called for the accumulation of AI-related investment and talent.

Background of the lecture:

Socius Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Serra Yoon) hosted a special lecture by House of Representatives member Masaaki Taira at the main stage of the SusHi Tech Tokyo 2026 official partner event and invitation-only executive summit 'Tech for Impact Summit 2026' (T4IS2026), held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at the Kioi Conference, Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho.

Mr. Taira, a former Digital Minister and Minister in charge of Cyber Security, is currently the head of the LDP's National Cybersecurity Strategy Headquarters, Acting Director-General of the Digital Society Promotion Headquarters, Chairman of the AI and Web3 Policy Research Council, and Acting Chairman of the Next-Generation AI On-Chain Finance Initiative Project Team, making him a central figure in our country's technology policy.

The summit featured policy and industry leaders from Japan, the U.S., and Europe, including former Digital Minister Taro Kono, Yoshito Hori (Founder of GLOBIS), Yat Siu (Co-founder of Animoca Brands), and Kathy Matsui (General Partner at MPower Partners).

1. Policy has a 'calendar' — LDP's growth strategy in late May, basic policies in June

At the beginning of his speech, Mr. Taira pointed out to the audience, which included many investors and startup-related individuals, that the Japanese government's policymaking process has a 'calendar,' and catching it early is critically important for investment and business decisions.

'Policy also has a one-year calendar, and February and March are the time to plant policy ideas. Then, policies in various fields and departments are generally formulated by around this time. Policies are finalized around late April, before Golden Week, and these policies from various fields are incorporated into the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's growth strategy.'

'The LDP's policy is formed around the end of May. Therefore, it's very important to catch the policies of the project teams and LDP working teams that are being announced now.'

'The policy white papers being released now have a high probability of becoming the LDP's growth strategy, and that LDP growth strategy will be released by the Japanese government as a growth strategy or basic policy two to three weeks later.'

In other words, by the time the government's growth strategy and basic policies are published in June, it is 'information anyone can read.' Mr. Taira's message is that paying attention to the recommendations and white papers coming from the LDP's various PTs from late April to May creates a fundamental advantage for investors and startups.

2. Continuous launch of LDP technology PTs — 4 fields in 4 years

'Every year, we create a new technology project team, a project team to make policy, within the LDP.'