Japan announces 10 billion yen emergency cyber package

Japan announced an emergency cybersecurity package on Friday, November 6, as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responded to a rise in reported unauthorized access and data breaches affecting businesses and government agencies. The measures include an initial allocation of 10 billion yen, about $63 million, for cybersecurity work and assistance to organisations affected by attacks. Takaichi said at a ministerial meeting that incidents were continuing to affect people’s daily lives and corporate activity. She called for government resources to be used to strengthen Japan’s response, and urged public agencies and companies to improve their preparedness. The package includes cybersecurity measures using artificial intelligence, stronger investigative capabilities and support for victims, including steps to limit the spread of damage. It also provides for government access to servers used by hackers as a form of active cyber defence, a capability legalised in October. Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is to establish a specialist team by the end of November. The team is expected to use AI to counter hackers and identify weaknesses in network systems, and to work with...