Japan Enforces New Pre-emptive Cybersecurity Laws to Combat Rising Threats

New laws enabling pre-emptive cybersecurity measures, including the neutralization of hostile servers, have come into force in Japan on October 1. These laws, enacted in May 2025, empower police and the Self-Defence Forces to access servers to prevent sophisticated cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure. Operators of key infrastructure are now obligated to report cyber breaches to the government, and a public-private consultative body has been launched for enhanced coordination.