TOKYO: Japan will establish a specialised ‘cyber rescue team’ comprising government and private sector experts in response to a recent surge in cyberattacks targeting businesses, local media reported on Friday.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has pledged to introduce an emergency package of cybersecurity measures following reports that dozens of companies had experienced unauthorised access to their computer systems and potential leaks of customer information in recent weeks.
The Japanese Cabinet is scheduled to hold a ministerial meeting on cybersecurity today (Friday), with the government expected to announce the new measures following the meeting.
According to reports in the Yomiuri Shimbun, Jiji Press and other media outlets, the proposed rescue team will bring together specialists from government agencies and the private sector to provide immediate assistance to organisations facing serious cyber threats.
The government plans to establish a dedicated secretariat within the current fiscal year to coordinate the deployment of the team whenever urgent technical support is required.
A separate group of specialists, known as the ‘Top Gun Talent Team’, will also be deployed this month to conduct simulated cyberattacks and help strengthen the country’s digital defences, Jiji Press reported.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said on Thursday that the proposed package would mark the first step towards building a society capable of meeting the world’s highest standards of cyber resilience.
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He said the measures would focus on preventing cyber damage wherever possible and ensuring an immediate response whenever security breaches occur.
Japan’s initiative reflects a broader international effort to strengthen cybersecurity as businesses, financial institutions and public services become increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure.
The growing sophistication of cyber threats, including the use of artificial intelligence in identifying system vulnerabilities, has made international cooperation, specialised expertise and rapid incident-response mechanisms increasingly important for protecting sensitive information and maintaining public confidence in digital services.
