Japan to Launch 1st Regional Unit for Cyberattack Defense

August 23, 2018

Tokyo- Japan's Defense Ministry plans to launch a regional unit for defense against cyberattacks for the first time next March, according to informed sources.

The cyberspace unit will be set up at the Ground Self-Defense Force's Western Army based in the southwestern city of Kumamoto, the sources said.

The move is part of a government initiative to strengthen the defense of southwestern remote islands at a time when China is increasingly active in the East China Sea.

The new unit will initially have about 40 staff members and be tasked mainly with addressing possible cyberattacks on GSDF radio communications in emergency situations and disaster scenes.

Radio communication is used for access to closed networks on remote islands, but it is believed to be exposed to the danger of network intrusion attempts.

The cyberspace unit will assist GSDF troops on remote islands by building safe communication networks.

Such an independent unit is also expected to be capable of rapid field deployment.

The ministry will consider launching similar cyberspace units in other regions. Jiji Press