Takaichi Says Active Cyber Defense Will Be Used Strategically

Tokyo, Oct. 26 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Monday vowed to implement cybersecurity measures "strategically," saying that the government would also keep open the option of using active cyber defense to prevent major cyberattacks before they occur.

Speaking at the first meeting of relevant cabinet ministers on cybersecurity at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Takaichi said her government will "strategically select and implement all available response options, including access and neutralization measures," in light of a string of personal information breaches caused by unauthorized access incidents at Japanese companies.

She also said that the government will compile emergency measures as early as next week, instructing her ministers to proceed with discussions as soon as possible, including talks on fiscal measures.

In addition, she called on her government to work on bolstering programs providing affected companies with consultation and assistance, on information gathering and dissemination mainly by the National Cybersecurity Office, and on cooperation with Japan's allies and like-minded nations.

Chaired by Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, the meeting was attended by Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, cybersecurity minister Toshiharu Furukawa and others.

[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]