Japanese ISP GMO Internet Pushes for Active Cyber Defense Powers

GMO Internet Group has formally requested that Japanese authorities grant private companies expanded powers to defend themselves against cyber threats through active measures, moving beyond traditional defensive protocols. The internet provider argues that reactive security approaches are insufficient against increasingly sophisticated attacks targeting critical infrastructure and private networks across the country.

The proposal would allow authorized firms to take offensive actions against cyberattackers, subject to government oversight and legal frameworks yet to be established. Such measures could include identifying attacker locations, disrupting malicious operations, or recovering stolen data without waiting for law enforcement intervention.

Japan's government has intensified focus on cybersecurity following a series of high-profile breaches and attacks attributed to foreign state actors and criminal groups. The request from GMO Internet aligns with broader policy discussions in Tokyo about strengthening the nation's cyber resilience ahead of the 2025 fiscal year budget deliberations.

Industry analysts note that active cyber defense remains legally ambiguous in many democracies, with potential conflicts between national sovereignty, international law, and corporate liability. Policymakers will need to balance enhanced security with safeguards against escalating cyber conflict between nations and unintended consequences of private sector operations.