Japan launches cyberattack emergency package after hacks

Japan launched an emergency cybersecurity package on Friday after dozens of businesses reported unauthorised access to their systems and possible leaks of client data in recent weeks.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the package would initially be funded by 10 billion yen, or $63 million, already available in the government budget. She said the overall cost would likely be higher and asked the finance minister to find funds for the full plan.

Takaichi said the measures include security countermeasures partly using AI, stronger investigation systems, more support for victims and steps to limit the spread of damage.

Japanese media including the Yomiuri Shimbun and Jiji Press have reported that the package includes a “cyber rescue team” made up of government and private-sector experts. They said the government would set up a secretariat within the current fiscal year to coordinate deployments when support needs are particularly acute. Takaichi did not specifically mention the rescue team on Friday.

Takaichi said incidents of unauthorised access and information leaks were occurring one after another and affecting citizens and companies. She called for the government to strengthen Japan's cyber response capacity.

An information security arm of Japanese IT firm GMO Internet Group said last month that Chinese artificial intelligence cybersecurity tool Artex was used in several recent hacks of Japanese companies. GMO Internet Group itself is among the companies that have come under attack.