Japan launches an active cyber defense program, allowing police and Self-Defense Forces to neutralize servers used in cyberattacks.

What it means

Japan has officially kicked off its 'active cyberdefense' program, a new proactive approach to cybersecurity that allows authorities, including the police and Self-Defense Forces, to preemptively stop major cyberattacks. Under this program, the government can gain access to servers used in attacks and delete malicious programs before they cause harm, enabled by recently passed legislation like the Cyber Response Capability Enhancement Act that took effect in late September 2026.

Accuracy & sourcesSourced

The claim comes from Jiji Press, a major Japanese news wire service, and is backed by multiple reputable outlets (nippon.com, Yomiuri, Tuoi Tre) all reporting the same operational launch. The primary source is an official government statement or press release from Japan's cybersecurity authorities, making the reporting highly reliable.

How new

Genuinely new: the program began operation on October 1, 2026, and coverage appeared within the last 24 hours.

Go deeper