TOKYO — The Japanese government is set to approve a comprehensive package of emergency cybersecurity measures featuring a newly formed public-private cyber rescue squad, following a recent surge in personal data breaches caused by cyberattacks.
The emergency initiative, scheduled for approval at a meeting of related ministers on Friday, aims to upgrade national defense protocols against digital threats.
“It will mark a starting point for shifting to a society with one of the world’s highest levels of cyber resilience,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated during a press conference on Thursday.
According to the package outline, the cyber rescue squad will be dispatched flexibly to help organizations manage initial responses to security incidents. Additionally, a dedicated secretariat for the squad is scheduled to be established by the end of fiscal 2026.
To handle major security crises, the government will deploy a joint response team composed of officials from the National Cybersecurity Office, relevant ministries, law enforcement, the Defense Ministry, and the Self-Defense Forces.
The outline concedes that current safeguards proved insufficient in recent data breach incidents. Furthermore, it warns that advanced artificial intelligence has enabled malicious actors to exploit system vulnerabilities immediately and on a broad scale, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive countermeasures across all sectors of society.
The government’s new framework outlines four key pillars: implementing strict basic security measures—including AI-driven solutions—strengthening intelligence-gathering and investigation networks, executing strategic responses to cyberthreats, and enhancing support for victims to prevent the spread of damage.