Government Seeks To Strengthen Military Cyber Defense Capabilities

The Japanese government has decided to bolster its security policies with an increased focus on cyber defenses, reports the Asahi Shimbun (Tokyo).

On Monday, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party said that it would add “active cyber defense” to three key national security documents that it is in the process of revising.

Active cyber defense is an effort to prevent cyber attacks before they occur. The government said it is considering monitoring cyberspace 24 hours a day, with the potential to infiltrate hostile systems to head off attacks or launch counterattacks in response.

However, such measures could violate Article 21 of the Japanese constitution, which protects the secrecy of communications.

In addition, plans call for increasing the number of Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) cyber experts from 800 to 1,400 and increasing the number of SDF cyber specialists to 20,000.

Separately, the government has announced plans to expand the 15th Brigade of the GSDF at Naha Camp in Okinawa prefecture from 2,000 to 3,000 troops. The brigade will also be commanded by a general, who will have additional responsibility for protecting the public, including supporting evacuations in an emergency. The unit may also be renamed, since it will be closer to a division in size and hold a greater role within the GSDF, officials said.