The new bureau will be composed of more than 200 officers, who will be responsible as of April 1 for investigating serious cybercrimes within Japan or from abroad, with an emphasis on attacks on government structures at all levels.

The NPA will send some of its personnel to other countries with recognized expertise in cybercrimes to gain experience and participate in joint operations.

In 2021, Japan reported more than 10,000 Internet breaches, many of which were associated with ransomware, a form of malware that restricts users from accessing their system or personal files in exchange of ransom.

Earlier this month, the Japanese Government confirmed an electronic attack on Kojima Industries Corp., a local supplier of the Toyota Motor Corporation, which suspended the plant’s activity for an entire day and failed to produce some 13,000 vehicles.

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