Japan joins NATO cybersecurity drills to counter Chinese hackers

Tokyo moves beyond observer status to stop criticism as a weak link

20191203 NATO meeting

NATO defense ministers meet in Brussels in October. (Photo courtesy of NATO)

RIEKO MIKI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan became a full-fledged participant Monday in NATO's cybersecurity war games, as Tokyo and Western nations eye potential hacking threats from China.

The Cyber Coalition exercise, which lasts until Friday, poses scenarios including cyberattacks during cross-border conflict as well as compromised state computer systems. One scenario involves participants striking back against a virtual enemy.

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