Japan to Strengthen Cyber Defense for Critical Infrastructure

Tokyo, May 18 (Jiji Press)–The Japanese government on Monday compiled a package of measures to enhance cyber defense systems for critical infrastructure operators in 15 industry sectors, including telecommunications, finance and medicine. The package was adopted at the first meeting of related government ministries and agencies discussing rising cyberattack risks amid the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, especially U.S. startup Anthropic’s cutting-edge AI tool Claude Mythos. According to the package, the government will gather and analyze cyber defense-related information for the operators. It will also promote the development of experts and foster cooperation with other governments and AI development companies, aiming to boost the operators’ cyberattack response capabilities. The government will ask companies selling software to resolve system vulnerabilities and develop patches to address such issues. The day’s meeting was attended by senior officials from the Cabinet Secretariat’s National Cybersecurity Office, the National Police Agency, the Financial Services Agency, the Digital Agency and the Defense Ministry. “The government as a whole will work to build the world’s highest (cyber) resilience,” cybersecurity minister Hisashi Matsumoto said. With Claude Mythos capable of detecting system vulnerabilities, concerns have spread over the possibility that the AI tool may be exploited to pose a serious threat to key infrastructure. Currently, the AI model’s use is restricted to a limited number of firms, including major U.S. information technology companies. At a meeting of cabinet ministers last week, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi instructed her government to quickly compile and introduce measures to “secure the country’s cybersecurity.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]