Japan to help developing nations improve cybersecurity

Jiji Press

17:13 JST, December 15, 2021

TOKYO (Jiji Press) — The government adopted on Tuesday its basic policy for helping developing countries to improve their capacity in the field of cybersecurity.

The importance of promoting digitalization is increasing in developing countries amid the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Under the policy, Japan will expand the scope of its aid to cover economies in the Indo-Pacific region, after focusing its support in the field on member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

“Amid the rapid expansion of digitalization in developing countries, it’s important to globally spread the philosophy of ‘ensuring a free, fair and secure cyberspace,’ which was set forth in the [government’s] cyber strategy,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said at a meeting of the government’s cybersecurity strategy headquarters the same day. Matsuno heads the headquarters.

Cybersecurity has become one of the areas for international cooperation, with the United States and China expected to start offering assistance to ASEAN member states to help improve their cybersecurity measures.

Specifically, Japan plans to strengthen its support for electricity providers, railway and other important infrastructure operators through a public-private partnership.

In addition, Japan will work on making international rules on the use of cyberspace.

As there is a global shortage of highly skilled cybersecurity experts, the government will also make efforts to nurture human resources to give medium- to long-term support to Japanese companies operating abroad.

As for the scope of aid recipients, the basic policy says that Japan will consider the possibility of offering support to African countries.