Japan has officially taken a major step toward strengthening its cybersecurity defenses with the approval of the Active Cyber Defense Bill, a set of laws aimed at preventing cyberattacks before they cause serious damage.

The legislation, which aligns Japan more closely with US cybersecurity standards, was approved by the country’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) last month and passed by the Cabinet on Feb, 7 before being submitted to the National Diet for final review.

The move follows growing concerns over state-sponsored cyber threats, especially after Japan’s national police identified Chinese-backed hacking group MirrorFace as a long-time cyber espionage threat. Experts say Japan faces increasing risks from ransomware and supply chain attacks to espionage targeting critical industries.

Cybersecurity expert Casey Ellis, founder of Bugcrowd, notes that Japan’s new approach is necessary given the country’s vulnerable geopolitical position.

“The idea of ‘vigilante hacking’ is controversial but not without merit in controlled scenarios. This signals a shift toward a more proactive stance, which is arguably overdue,” Ellis explains.

The push for stronger cybersecurity dates back to 2022, when former US Director of National Intelligence Dennis C. Blair criticized Japan’s cyber preparedness, leaving lawmakers in what became known as “Blair Shock.” His warning prompted the government to release a new National Security Strategy, setting the foundation for this latest legislation.

The bill consists of two key parts. The first focuses on passive defense, creating a cybersecurity council, requiring infrastructure providers to report cyber incidents, and granting the prime minister’s office authority to gather relevant data. The second introduces active measures, allowing the military to protect both domestic and US-linked systems while empowering new cyber harm prevention officers to take swift action against cyber threats.

With cyberattacks becoming more sophisticated, Japan’s shift toward preemptive cyber defense marks a bold and necessary change in strategy.