Japanese Prime Minister urges legislation for pre-emptive cyber defense system

The effort signifies Japan’s proactive steps towards a robust and balanced approach to cybersecurity.

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Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has directed his government to expedite the drafting of legislation to establish an active cyber defense system, enabling pre-emptive measures against cyberattacks. Addressing the inaugural meeting of an expert panel convened at the prime minister’s office, Kishida emphasised the pressing need to bolster the country’s cyber response capabilities.

The government of Japan aims to present the proposed legislation during the upcoming extraordinary parliamentary session scheduled for autumn. During the meeting, Digital Transformation Minister Taro Kono outlined three critical areas for discussion – enhancing information sharing between the public and private sectors, identifying servers involved in cyberattacks, and determining the extent of governmental authority.

Kono urged the panel consisting of 17 experts such as specialists on cybersecurity and lawyers to provide progress reports on these issues within the coming months, highlighting the urgency of addressing cybersecurity challenges. Kono highlighted the importance of establishing a system on par with those of the United States and European nations, while also safeguarding the rights and interests of the people.