Japan Announces ¥10 Billion Cybersecurity Package After Wave of Data Breaches

Japan announced a 10 billion yen ($63 million) emergency cybersecurity package following unauthorized access and personal-data leaks affecting dozens of companies and government agencies. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s government outlined four priorities: AI-assisted basic security, stronger intelligence gathering and analysis, strategic attack response, and support for victims to limit further damage. The measures follow high-profile incidents, including a cyberattack against GMO Internet Group involving a ransom demand, and aim to improve public-private information sharing, incident assistance and recovery.

Planned capabilities include a multiagency national-security support team, an AI-enabled team of cybersecurity specialists, a public-private “rescue team” to assist affected businesses with initial response, and a separate team to help at-risk companies strengthen defenses before attacks occur. The government will also work with overseas IT firms and advanced AI developers to maintain current vulnerability information. The package seeks to strengthen Japan’s ability to proactively access attacker-controlled servers to neutralize threats under its active cyber defense framework, enabled by a law that took effect in October.