Japan’s cybersecurity gaps imperil trust with key allies, cautions Foreign Minister

Japan’s Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, emphasised the urgent need to enhance national cybersecurity after warnings from the USA revealed vulnerabilities in Tokyo’s defences, potentially allowing China access to sensitive diplomatic communications.

This issue has strained trust with allies who may hesitate to share secrets with Japan. It is reported that in 2020, General Paul Nakasone of the US National Security Agency alerted Japan to a breach in its diplomatic cables, and the US government warned Tokyo that Chinese hackers breached those computer networks linking government ministries and diplomatic missions overseas.

Tokyo has since initiated efforts to address cybersecurity weaknesses, particularly in critical government agencies. However, the effectiveness of these measures remains uncertain, and the US has expressed disappointment, deeming Japan’s actions insufficient, the Yomiuri newspaper quotes a US official.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida aims to expedite legislation to bolster cyber defence capabilities, but constitutional obstacles and the evolving nature of cyber threats pose challenges. Despite consensus on the urgency of the issue, maintaining pace with cyberattack sophistication remains a formidable task for Japan, impacting its desired closer ties with allies and participation in intelligence-sharing alliances like the ‘Five Eyes’.