Japan Police Agency To Set Up Cybercrime Bureau
Japan's National Police Agency plans to set up a new bureau to deal with hacking and other cybercrimes.
Hackers have been stealing highly classified data from companies and research institutions, and in some cases using the stolen data to demand ransom.
The agency is planning an organizational overhaul in fiscal 2022. The new cybercrime bureau will oversee cooperation with prefectural police headquarters, as well as gathering and analysis of information on cyberattacks.
The agency also aims to launch a team of about 200 investigators with specialized skills to tackle serious cybercrime incidents.
The agency says the establishment of a team that reports directly to the government, rather than to prefectural police headquarters, will facilitate investigations across national borders and will help improve investigative skills.
It plans to seek funding for the organizational overhaul from the fiscal 2022 budget.