Japan adopts cybersecurity policy for early threat detection

"Cyberattacks are becoming increasingly threatening and do not wait for our preparations," Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said at a meeting of the government's cybersecurity strategy headquarters.

"I want you to continue working hard to ensure that Japan has one of the world's highest levels of cyber defense through constant efforts to make improvements."

A recent cyberattack impeded systems at major Japanese frozen food maker Nichirei Corp., significantly affecting related industries, including restaurant chains.

According to the secretariat of the headquarters, recent cyberattacks have become sophisticated, with malware found to have penetrated control systems set at the deepest level of computer systems and stayed hidden for long periods in some cases.

The basic policy emphasizes that the early detection of cyber threats directly leads to a reduction of business risks, such as operation suspensions.

Through mock cyberattacks and other measures, the government will help energy, transport, logistics, information and communications, and financial service companies develop human resources.

Also highlighted in the basic policy is the sharing of early detection methods through cooperation with allied and like-minded countries.

In addition, the headquarters compiled common guidelines to counter cyberattacks, such as limiting access to systems and preparing procedures for data backup.

The government will implement the guidelines from October in line with the launch of its proactive cyber defense system.