Tokyo: Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has established a new Cyber Security Policy Division as the country moves to strengthen its diplomatic response to growing cyber threats around the world. The new division was officially launched on September 1 under the National Security Policy Division of the Foreign Policy Bureau. The Japanese Foreign Ministry said the new division has been created in response to the rapidly increasing importance of cyberspace in international security and the growing sophistication of cyber threats. The move is expected to give cybersecurity a more prominent role in Japan’s foreign policy and international diplomatic efforts. The newly established division will focus on international rules and norms governing cyberspace, including efforts to promote the rule of law in the digital domain. It will also work on measures aimed at deterring cyberattacks and strengthening cooperation between Japan and its allies, like-minded countries and other international partners. According to the ministry, Japan also plans to expand cooperation on cyber-capacity building with partner countries. This could include support for countries seeking to improve their ability to prevent, detect and respond to cyber incidents. The division will additionally be involved in cyber-related consultations with foreign governments and international organisations. It will work with other Japanese government agencies as well as private-sector organisations, reflecting the growing importance of cooperation between governments and the technology sector in dealing with cyber threats. The establishment comes at a time when cyberattacks are increasingly being treated as national-security concerns. Attacks targeting government networks, financial institutions, telecommunications systems, energy infrastructure and other critical services have made cybersecurity an important part of international security discussions. The rapid development of artificial intelligence is adding another dimension to the issue. While AI can help organisations detect threats and strengthen cyber defences, increasingly advanced technologies can also create new challenges for governments trying to protect sensitive systems and information. Japan’s Foreign Ministry said its broader objective is to contribute to a cyberspace that is free, fair and secure, while strengthening international cooperation and the rule of law. Japan has previously maintained a dedicated cyber-related division within its Foreign Ministry. A similar unit was established in 2016 before being incorporated into the National Security Policy Division during a later organisational restructuring. The creation of the new division now represents a renewed effort to give cyber diplomacy a dedicated organisational structure. The move is also significant for Japan’s relationships with its allies and other countries facing similar cybersecurity challenges. Tokyo is expected to use the new division to deepen discussions on cyber threats, international norms, capacity building and measures to discourage malicious cyber activity. As governments increasingly depend on digital infrastructure and AI-powered technologies, cybersecurity is becoming closely linked with foreign policy, economic security and national defence. Japan’s latest move signals that Tokyo intends to play a more active role in shaping international cooperation and rules surrounding cyberspace. The announcement was made by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 1, 2026.
