Since 2011, when he joined NRI, Watanabe has engaged in wide expertise on digital data related public policy making. This includes digital trade, telecommunications, data protection/privacy and digital identity. He also applies public sector expertise toward private sector's rule-making activities as well as its compliances with regulatory requirements. Based on these public/private experiences, he also serves as an expert committee member of digital related global policy making on global rule-making of Japanese government, such as Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.