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New Japan Cybersecurity Laws Take Effect Tomorrow Amid State-Backed and AI-Linked Threats

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said key provisions of two 2025 cybersecurity laws take effect October 1. The measures create a public-private Cyber Council and introduce mandatory asset and incident reporting for operators of power, gas and other critical systems as Japan confronts rising state-backed attacks and a record number of ransomware cases.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, wearing a black jacket and pearl necklace, speaks at a podium with two microphones against a background of scrolling computer code in white and red.
September 30, 2026 06:43 PM IST | Written by Vaibhav Jha

In light of recent cases of AI agents posing cybersecurity risks, Prime Minister of Japan Takaichi Sanae announced Tuesday that key parts of the 2025 Japan cybersecurity laws will take effect from October 1 that will include cybersecurity council and introduction of mandatory asset reporting and incident reporting.

In a post on X, PM Takaichi informed that parts of the “Act on Strengthening Cybersecurity Measures” and the “Act on Supplementary Provisions to the Act on Strengthening Cybersecurity Measures,” which were enacted in last year’s ordinary session of the Diet, will come into effect from October 1.

 

“Under the “Act on Strengthening Cybersecurity Measures,” a new framework for “strengthening public-private partnerships” will be established, including the newly created “Cybersecurity Council,” as well as the introduction of mandatory “asset reporting” and “incident reporting,” wrote PM Takaishi on X.

The Prime Minister also informed that the Cybersecurity Council will bring together ministries, local governments and operators of power, gas and other critical infrastructure.

“Through the council, proactive information sharing—including threat intelligence obtained by the national government—will become possible, enabling joint public-private efforts to prevent and mitigate damage from cyber attacks,” said PM Takaishi.

Police in Japan recorded a record 123 ransomware cases in the first half of 2026. Suspicious probes rose more than 50 percent year-on-year. Groups linked to China, Russia and North Korea have repeatedly targeted Japanese networks.

Takaichi said no single country can meet the threat alone and called for closer work with allies. She pledged ongoing improvements to protect daily life, economic activity and national interests. The remaining communications-monitoring provisions of the laws are scheduled for later implementation.

Also Read: Japan Calls on AI Companies to Disclose Training Data for Transparency

Author

  • Vaibhav Jha, editor and co-founder at AI FrontPage

    Vaibhav Jha is an Editor and Co-founder of AI FrontPage. In his decade long career in journalism, Vaibhav has reported for publications including The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and The New York Times, covering the intersection of technology, policy, and society. Outside work, he’s usually trying to persuade people to watch Anurag Kashyap films.

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