"Active cyber defense" to be implemented from October Police and Self-Defense Forces "detoxify"

On the 1st, the government will begin implementing ``active cyber defense'' to prevent serious cyber attacks, as the Act on Strengthening Cyber ​​Countermeasures and related laws go into effect on the same day. If signs of an attack are detected, the police or Self-Defense Forces infiltrate the other party's server. Make it harmless by erasing the malicious program. Public-private collaboration with core infrastructure providers will also be strengthened.

The government held a meeting of related ministries on September 30th. Cyber ​​Security Minister Shunji Furukawa expressed his enthusiasm, saying, ``We will do our best to ensure the world's highest level of resilience.'' Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wrote on X (formerly Twitter), ``Threats in cyberspace continue to change. We will continue to work to improve our ability to deal with them.''

Active cyber defense has three pillars: (1) measures to neutralize attack servers, (2) strengthening public-private collaboration, and (3) use of communication information. The government monitors the Internet space during normal times and collects and analyzes communication information. Information from telecommunications, financial, and electric power infrastructure providers as well as foreign governments will be used to identify the source of the attack and take action. (3) will come into effect from fall 2027.

Most attacks, including those by hacker groups, are handled by the police, but serious cases involving national security are handled jointly with the Self-Defense Forces. The National Security Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, will be held as necessary.