Japan has announced a cybersecurity plan after a wave of cyberattacks that exposed customer information at companies and public offices. The plan will use artificial intelligence (AI), tech experts and public-private cooperation to prevent attacks and support victims. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi announced this plan at a meeting with ministers in Tokyo on Friday, November 6.
The government has allocated about 10 billion yen ($63 million) from reserve funds for immediate needs. The money will help Japan review its computer systems, upgrade police equipment and strengthen government network security. Officials have yet to confirm the full cost of the wider plan.
The plan focuses on four key areas. These include improving online safety, collecting and sharing reports about cyber threats, strengthening police capabilities and helping victims reduce damage. PM has asked the government agencies and businesses to take action quickly. She said cyberattacks are becoming faster and can use AI, making it important for Japan to identify threats early and respond without delay. The plan will also improve investigations into new cyber threats.
A study by Japanese research firm MM Research Institute found that hackers exposed about 376 million records by October 31, 2026. This number is about 7.6 times higher than the total for 2025. The figure refers to data records, not individuals, and includes potential data leaks.
Recent cyberattacks show how serious the issue has become. GMO Internet Group reported that hackers had accessed its Onamae.com Desktop Cloud service. The company reported more than 26,000 cases of data leaks or transactions that customers had not approved.
The company said hackers used ransomware during the attack. But, the company has promised to pay customers back. A security weakness in PHP(tool used by many websites) caused millions of hacking attempts in October and damaged websites in several countries.
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry plans to set up a team specialist by the end of November. Officials call it a “top gun” team. They will use AI to test computer systems, identify security weaknesses and protect them from hackers. The team will also work with technology companies and AI experts in other friendly countries to share knowledge and information about expected cyber threats.
Japan will also form a separate cyber rescue team with experts from government agencies and private companies. It will help businesses respond to cyberattacks quickly and take steps to reduce damage. The team will work with companies that have weaker security to improve their protection before an attack occurs.
Japan is already working to prevent cyberattacks. A new law that took effect in October 2026 allows police and the Self-Defense Forces to access foreign servers used for cyberattacks and stop threats. Japan passed this law in May 2025. It also requires key service providers, such as power and railway companies to report cyberattacks. An independent body will monitor how officials use these new powers.
The emergency funding allocates about 2 billion yen for AI-based security checks of government systems, 4.1 billion yen for police equipment and training, and 3.8 billion yen to strengthen the Digital Agency’s cybersecurity. Officials say advanced protection is necessary to keep government services and businesses safe as cyber threats increase. PM Takaichi has asked ministers to start the working on this plan and prepare for future security needs.
