Japan and ASEAN Strengthen Cybersecurity Cooperation as Digital Threats Rise

International News | World news Posted on 2026-03-10 14:06:04

Japan and the member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are expanding cooperation to counter the growing threat of cyberattacks across the Asia-Pacific region.

The need for stronger defenses has become increasingly clear after several major cyber incidents in recent years. In September 2025, beverage giant Asahi Group Holdings experienced a ransomware attack that disrupted its ordering and shipping systems. According to company president and CEO Atsushi Katsuki, attackers infiltrated the company’s network days before launching simultaneous ransomware attacks on Sept. 29, encrypting data and halting digital operations.

Although production continued, the disruption forced the company to rely on phone and fax orders for nearly two months, causing supply issues for retailers and restaurants. A group identifying itself as “Qilin” claimed responsibility for the attack. Katsuki said the company refused to pay the ransom, noting that payment would not guarantee full system recovery and could make the company a target for future attacks.

Cybersecurity experts say such incidents highlight the growing sophistication of global cybercrime. Ransomware attacks, which encrypt corporate data and demand payment for its release, have become the most common form of cyberattack. Infection often begins with phishing emails or malicious links, and advances in artificial intelligence have made these messages more convincing and difficult to detect.

Kenichi Sakurazawa of the Japan Cybercrime Control Center warned that organizations must establish clear response plans in advance. Without a strategy for reporting incidents or seeking assistance, companies risk severe operational disruption.

The Asia-Pacific region, particularly Southeast Asia, has become a major target for cybercriminal groups. According to cybersecurity firm Check Point Software Technologies, organizations in the region experienced an average of 2,915 cyberattacks per week in late 2024 and early 2025—far above the global average.

Several high-profile cases illustrate the scale of the threat. In 2024, Vietnamese securities firm VNDIRECT suspended trading after a ransomware attack. Indonesia’s national data center was also breached using the “LockBit 3.0” ransomware, disrupting services across multiple government agencies and affecting airport immigration systems. Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia faced a cyberattack in 2025 in which hackers demanded a $10 million ransom.

To strengthen defenses, Japan and ASEAN have launched several joint initiatives. In 2018, they established the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Center in Bangkok, Thailand to train government officials and security specialists in cyber defense techniques.

More recently, the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Community Alliance was formed in 2024 to promote information sharing among cybersecurity organizations from both the public and private sectors. The alliance is chaired by Rudi Lumanto of the Indonesia Network Security Association, with Hiroshi Esaki of the Japan Network Security Association serving as vice chair.

Japanese cybersecurity firm Trend Micro has also partnered with Interpol to train investigators in Southeast Asia on analyzing malware and cybercrime tactics. Meanwhile, Japan’s Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Japan Self-Defense Forces have conducted joint cyber defense exercises with ASEAN countries since 2022, including a major training exercise in Tokyo in July 2025.

With more than 15,000 Japanese companies operating in ASEAN countries, stronger cybersecurity cooperation is also critical for protecting regional supply chains and digital infrastructure. As cyber threats continue to evolve, collaboration between Japan and Southeast Asia is becoming a key pillar in safeguarding the region’s rapidly growing digital economy.

NPO News Team | PNA — PR

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