TOKYO - Laws enabling preemptive cybersecurity measures aimed at neutralizing hostile servers came into force in Japan on Thursday to address growing cyberattack threats before they cause damage.
The laws, enacted in May last year, allow police and the Self-Defense Forces to access such servers to prevent attacks, which are becoming more sophisticated and faster than ever, to protect critical infrastructure.
Operators of key infrastructure, including power plants and railways, will be obliged to report cyber breaches to the government.
A public-private cybersecurity consultative body was also launched for closer coordination in sharing threat information and devising response measures.
"The addition of neutralization measures will allow us to respond practically to cyberattacks targeting our country," Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said in a social media post on Wednesday.
When the government receives information on a cyberattack or a report of an imminent attack from businesses such as a core infrastructure operator, it will discuss whether to take neutralization measures, at the National Security Council if necessary.
The Japan Active Cyber Defense Oversight Commission, an independent body headed by former chief of the Sapporo High Court Hiroko Kondo, will give final permission for preemptive measures.
The body was established to ensure proper use of communications data, implementation of remote access and neutralization measures.
The government plans to launch the full-scale measures to constantly monitor communications in 2027, aiming to strengthen its cyber defense capabilities to levels on par with those of other major countries.
