Your elected leaders: Taiji Kimura, Routing Security SIG Acting Chair

The APNIC Elected Leaders series celebrates the journeys and contributions of individuals who have stepped up to serve in volunteer leadership roles, helping to advance Internet operations across the Asia Pacific region. Through their stories, we hope you'll gain insight into what motivates them, feel more connected to our community, and be inspired to get involved and help shape the future of the Internet.

As the Acting Chair of the Routing Security Special Interest Group (SIG), Taiji Kimura, Senior Expert at the Japan Network Information Center (JPNIC), brings two decades of technical insight and community engagement to one of the Internet community's most urgent challenges: Securing global routing infrastructure.

Taiji's interest in routing security runs deep. Since 2003, he has been a regular participant at APNIC meetings, actively contributing to discussions on RPKI and promoting technical collaboration among National Internet Registries (NIRs). With a Master's degree from the Nara Institute of Science and Technology (NAIST), he couples academic grounding with real-world operational experience.

On collaboration and knowledge sharing

In his current role as Acting Chair of the Routing Security SIG, Taiji coordinates session planning for APNIC and APRICOT conferences. This includes identifying emerging topics, curating speaker line-ups, and guiding discussions to ensure they yield practical insights.

"My primary responsibility is to coordinate presenters and facilitate sessions," he says.

Taiji values the opportunity to connect registry operators, network engineers, and policymakers around the shared goal of strengthening routing security in the Asia Pacific region.

"I try to ensure that discussions are meaningful and inclusive, so that the SIG continues to be a hub for knowledge-sharing in the community."

There are no quick wins in routing security. Rather, it requires sustained collaboration, continuous learning, and incremental improvements across the community to build trust, resilience, and a safer Internet.

"Since the establishment of the Routing Security SIG, even before I became a co-chair, it has provided a continuous platform for discussion and information sharing on routing security issues within the registry community," Taiji says.

"Internationally, we have seen progress in the deployment of RPKI ROAs and the adoption of ROV. In this context, I believe that the existence of such a forum within the APNIC community - which plays a key role in driving adoption in the Asia Pacific region - can itself be considered a success."

"Thanks to the leadership of the founding chairs, the SIG has featured updates from well-known experts as well as research presentations from students. We also hear expectations from within the APNIC community for this SIG to continue fostering discussion and knowledge sharing on RPKI and related topics."

A broader view of routing security

Taiji stresses that routing security is no longer just a technical issue - it's a community and policy concern that must involve a broader range of stakeholders.

While RPKI deployment continues, emerging initiatives such as Autonomous System Provider Authorization (ASPA) and frameworks like Mutually Agreed Norms for Routing Security (MANRS) are extending the conversation. For Taiji, SIGs play an important role in bringing people together and sharing expert ideas from across the region.

He hopes the Routing Security SIG can become "a trusted venue for sharing the latest developments and deployment challenges," helping the community recognize that routing security involves both technology and governance.

Top priorities

In Taiji's view, the most urgent issue facing routing security today is a lack of shared awareness.

"Many networks remain vulnerable simply because operators and stakeholders don't fully understand the risks or the available tools," he explains.

To address this, he advocates for three key actions:

• RPKI deployment
• Sharing best practices
• Participating in open forums like the Routing Security SIG

These steps, he says, help build trust and resilience, making the Internet safer for everyone.

Looking ahead to APNIC 60

As for what attendees can expect at the Routing Security SIG during APNIC 60, Taiji promises an interesting session with a mix of ROA validator challenges and solutions, Viet Nam's RPKI deployment experience, strategies for promoting DNSSEC and RPKI adoption within organizations, and emerging innovations to address key BGP security challenges.

"We want to showcase a range of perspectives," he says.

"Both those actively implementing solutions and those just starting their routing security journey. I hope that participants leave with useful ideas and new connections to support their work."

With a focus on community-building and practical progress, with Taiji as Acting Chair until APNIC 62, the Routing Security SIG will continue to provide a space where operators, researchers, and policymakers can collaborate, share knowledge, and explore solutions together.

The views expressed by the authors of this blog are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of APNIC. Please note a Code of Conduct applies to this blog.