Tokyo, Nov. 12 (Jiji Press)–Many Japanese business leaders cited a shortage of cybersecurity professionals as a key challenge in combating a rapid increase in cyberattacks, a survey by the Japan Association of Corporate Executives, known as Keizai Doyukai, showed Thursday. Business leaders also voiced concern that cyberthreats are evolving so rapidly that countermeasures cannot keep pace, while recruiting and training personnel capable of addressing such threats takes time, underscoring the challenges facing corporate executives. The survey was conducted among corporate executives nationwide from Oct. 22 to last Friday, drawing responses from 219 people. Asked about their approach to preparing for cyberattacks, 180 respondents said they prioritize early detection, containing damage, ensuring business continuity and swift recovery, assuming that attacks will occur. Their responses suggested that companies prioritize minimizing the impact of attacks rather than seeking complete protection against them. While nearly 70 pct said that they regularly report the status of their cybersecurity measures to the board of directors or other management meetings, only slightly more than 40 pct said that their organizations have appointed a chief information security officer, or CISO, highlighting a lack of centralized leadership in cybersecurity efforts. “Concern over the shortage of cybersecurity talent has grown sharply,” Akio Yamaguchi, chairman of Keizai Doyukai, told a news conference. He stressed that the industry as a whole needs to consider ways to develop systems that enable even people without advanced skills to respond to cyberthreats, including through the use of artificial intelligence. According to Tokyo-based MM Research Institute Ltd., about 380 million cases of personal data breaches caused by cyberattacks were reported between January and October this year, about 7.6 times the total number recorded for all of 2025. The figures highlight the need for countermeasures not only by individual companies but also through coordinated efforts by the government and industries across the board. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
