The Internet connects us all, making cyber issues a common global challenge. We believe that if all nations are to benefit -- politically, economically, and socially from cyberspace -- then it must be open, interoperable, secure and reliable. The Secretary’s Office of the Coordinator for Cyber Issues (S/CCI) leads the Department of State’s effort to implement the White House International Strategy for Cyberspace. This strategy sets out the U.S. vision for the future of cyberspace.

We know the future of cyberspace depends on the decisions we make today. “Cyber diplomacy” encompasses the full range of U.S. interests in cyberspace. We are facing foreign policy decisions about our fundamental principles in cyberspace, including security, freedom, governance, human rights and economic growth. Increasingly, cyberspace is a foreign policy issue in multilateral fora, in our bilateral relationships, and in our relationships with industry and civil society.

As the Coordinator for Cyber Issues, I lead a team that works with offices throughout the Department of State and the Interagency to promote norms of responsible state behavior and cyber stability, advance cyber security, fight cybercrime, promote multi-stakeholder Internet governance, and advance Internet freedom. Recognizing that we cannot achieve this vision alone, the Strategy emphasizes partnering with other nations and peoples to realize its aims. Bilateral dialogues with our international partners set the agenda for achieving this goal.

The United States-Japan Bilateral Cyber Dialogue was one of the first such partnerships established following our office’s inception five years ago. S/CCI hosted the fourth iteration of the United States-Japan Bilateral Cyber Dialogue this July in Washington D.C.

This ongoing dialogue underscores the importance of the U.S.-Japan alliance just as it reaffirms our shared commitment to “ensure the safe and stable use of cyberspace based on the free flow of information and an open internet,” as expressed by President Obama and Prime Minister Abe in the joint statement they issued during the prime minister’s state visit to Washington, DC on April 28, 2015.

During this latest round of meetings, I was honored to lead the U.S. delegation along with my counterpart Mr. Koichi Mizushima, Japan’s Ambassador in charge of Cyber Policy and Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Policy Bureau, who led the Japanese delegation. Representatives from a wide array of agencies in both countries joined the dialogue. This level of diverse participation demonstrates that today’s cyber challenges are not just a problem for some, nor are there only solutions for a few. Every agency has a voice and each sector has something unique to bring to the table. This whole-of-government approach enhances coordination on the full range of cross-cutting cyber issues.

Ambassador Mizushima and I reaffirmed our two governments’ shared commitments in cyberspace and exchanged views on key issues. Both sides emphasized joint cooperation in existing international, regional and bilateral venues on capacity building, information sharing, international security, network defense, cybercrime, and military cooperation in cyberspace. Both sides also committed to maintain their dialogue and to continue to enhance the importance of cyber issues in our bilateral cooperation.

The Internet is dynamic and ever-evolving. Every day we encounter new challenges. As stakeholders we must adapt with it and continually improve our capabilities to address associated risks. The United States and Japan have established a strong and positive working relationship over the course of the four dialogues. Through these discussions we will continue to prepare to confront the challenges ahead while seizing the opportunities that cyberspace presents.