TOKYO - Japan's government compiled Friday a package of emergency measures to address a spate of recent personal data breaches caused by unauthorized access, amid growing public concerns over cybersecurity.
Promoting the use of artificial intelligence to identify vulnerabilities in computer systems and creating several teams of highly skilled experts are among the measures, which were announced at a meeting of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and relevant ministers.
The package outlines four pillars -- strengthening basic security measures through AI, improving information gathering and analysis, adopting a strategic approach to respond to attacks and enhancing steps to support victims and prevent further damage.
Takaichi instructed officials last week to draw up the package following a series of high-profile personal data leaks resulting from cyberattacks, such as one that hit internet service provider GMO Internet Group Inc. with a ransom demanded.
With the measures, Japan aims to build a resilient society with one of "the world's highest levels" of cybersecurity, in which the public and private sectors share information and receive swift assistance to recover from attacks, the package says.
The government will establish a "top gun" team of cybersecurity specialists to counter hackers and use AI to detect weaknesses in computer systems, and work with overseas IT firms and advanced AI developers to keep information about vulnerabilities up to date.
A "rescue team" consisting of experts from the public and private sectors will be established to be dispatched to cyberattack-hit businesses to assist with initial responses, along with a separate team to give advice to companies at risk before being targeted.
The government also intends to enhance its capabilities to neutralize threats by proactively accessing servers used by attackers as a means of "active cyber defense." The preemptive measure became possible under a law that took effect in October.
In cases of incidents that could seriously affect national security, the government will dispatch a support team comprising officials from the National Cybersecurity Office, the National Police Agency and the Defense Ministry, among others.
Ahead of the package's announcement, the government decided to tap 10 billion yen ($63 million) from its fiscal 2026 budget reserve funds to beef up cybersecurity measures, including upgrading police equipment for intelligence gathering and analysis.
