12 Facts About Takeo Akiba

Takeo Akiba is a Japanese diplomat who served as National Security Advisor to the Cabinet from 2021 to 2025.

Takeo Akiba had a long career as a diplomat in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, serving as administrative vice minister from 2018 to 2021.

Takeo Akiba was born on 19 December 1958, in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture, but he grew up in Yokohama.

Takeo Akiba later studied law at the University of Tokyo and joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after graduating in 1982.

Takeo Akiba was sent to receive English language training at the Fletcher School at Tufts University in the United States.

Takeo Akiba was considered to represent a hard line towards China.

Takeo Akiba later served as political minister at the embassy to the United States and as senior counsellor in the Minister's Secretariat.

Takeo Akiba was appointed chief of the International Legal Affairs Bureau in July 2014, and chief of the Foreign Policy Bureau in October of the following year.

Takeo Akiba was promoted to deputy foreign minister for political affairs in June 2016.

Takeo Akiba was deeply trusted by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, and played a central role in formulating and promoting the concept of the Free and Open Indo-Pacific.

Takeo Akiba retired from the ministry in June 2021, but on the following month he was appointed national security advisor to the Cabinet and secretary general of the National Security Secretariat by Yoshihide Suga, who had succeeded Abe as prime minister.

Takeo Akiba was replaced in January 2025, but remains a special advisor to the Cabinet.