May 30, 2025 Mr. HORIKAWA Ryo to stand as candidate for election as Deputy Secretary General of Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT)

　On Friday, May 30, 2025, Japan’s Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications, MURAKAMI Seiichiro announced at the APT Ministerial Meeting 2025 that the Japanese Government officially endorsed HORIKAWA Ryo, Director, Global Strategy Bureau, MIC, as a candidate for the position of the Deputy Secretary General of the APT (for the term from February 2027 to February 2030) in the leadership election to be held at the APT General Assembly in the second half of 2026.

1. Overview of APT

　The Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT) is an intergovernmental organization that promotes balanced development of telecommunications and information infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region by conducting human resources training through courses and seminars as well as coordinating regional policy on matters such as telecommunications standardization and frequency allocations.
　It is headquartered in Bangkok, Thailand, and is made up of 38 Members and 4 Associate Member countries and regions, etc. Japan has been a member nation since the APT was established in 1979 and is the APT’s largest financial supporter.

2. The candidate

　Mr. Horikawa has been active in the field of postal and telecommunications policy for more than 20 years, and contributing extensively to international activities and building international personal connections.
　Since 2023 he has served as Chair of the Working Group of the APT Management Committee, and as Chair of the Correspondence Group for the APT Ministerial Meeting 2025, which begins today, he has played a pivotal role in drafting the Tokyo Statement to be adopted at the Meeting. His extensive experience in coordinating and facilitating discussions in the international arena makes him an ideal candidate for the position of the Deputy Secretary General of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT).

3. Future initiatives

　Japan will actively work to encourage APT Member countries to vote for this candidate in the upcoming elections.

Reference 1: Overview of the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT)
Reference 2: Brief biography of HORIKAWA Ryo