Japan has proposed a new bill that would authorize its police and military to disable enemy servers in the event of a cyberattack on critical infrastructure. According to Kyodo News, the proposed legislation, which the government submitted to parliament on Friday, aims to enhance Japan’s cybersecurity and align its capabilities with those of the United States and major European nations.
Under the active cyber defense bill, the police will be empowered to disable hostile servers, while the Japan Self-Defense Forces cyber unit will intervene at the prime minister’s request in situations that require specialized expertise. These situations include attacks on vital computer systems managed by local and central governments, the JSDF and U.S. forces stationed in Japan.
The bill also requires core infrastructure operators, such as electricity and railway companies, to report cyberattacks to the government. Failure to comply will result in penalties, and government officials who leak sensitive information obtained through surveillance wil face sanctions.
The legislative effort is part of Japan’s broader plan to establish a consultative body aimed at enhancing cybersecurity coordination and reducing the impact of cyberattacks. Modeled after the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s Joint Cyber Defense Collaborative, this new organization will facilitate information sharing among key infrastructure operators. It will operate under a reorganized National Center for Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity, which will serve as a central hub for threat analysis and the development of countermeasures.