William Saito

Commissioner William Saito decided to leave after the end of his first year on the GCSC for personal reasons. The Commission thanks him for his contributions to the initiative, and wishes him all the best in his future endeavors. 

William H. Saito named by Nikkei as one of the “100 Most Influential People for Japan,” and began software programming in elementary school and started his own company while still in high school. By the time he was named Entrepreneur of the Year in 1998 (by Ernst & Young, NASDAQ and USA Today), he was recognized as one of the world’s leading authorities on encryption, biometric authentication and cyber security. After selling his business to Microsoft, he moved to Tokyo in 2005 and founded InTecur, a venture capital firm and consultancy that identifies innovative technologies, develops global talent and helps entrepreneurs become successful. In early 2012, Saito was appointed to a council on national strategy and policy that reported directly to the Prime Minister of Japan. From late 2011, he also served as Chief Technology Officer of the Fukushima Nuclear Accident Independent Investigation Commission. He is a Foundation Board Member at the World Economic Forum (WEF), and has been named by the WEF as both a Young Global Leader and Global Agenda Council member.

Saito also advises several national governments around the globe. In Japan, he has served as an advisor to METI, MIC, MEXT, and MLIT; the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science; the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology; the Information Technology Promotion Agency, among others and is currently the Special Advisor to the Cabinet Office. He teaches at multiple universities, sits on the boards of several companies, frequently appears as a commentator on TV and is the author of numerous publications in addition to writing several weekly newspaper column. His best-selling management book, The Team: Solving the Biggest Problem in Japan, was published by Nikkei BP last year, and his autobiography, An Unprogrammed Life: Adventures of an Incurable Entrepreneur, was published in 2011 by John Wiley & Sons.