Japan aims to boost Self-Defense Force cyber personnel to 4,000

Government considers relaxed physical standards and plans new testing system

20240702N GSDF commencement

Japan lags behind other countries in number of cyberdefense personnel. (Japan Defense Ministry)

SHINNOSUKE NAGATOMI, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan will open up new recruitment slots and consider relaxing physical fitness standards to lure cybersecurity talent to the Self-Defense Forces, looking to secure 4,000 specialists by the end of fiscal 2027.

The Ground Self-Defense Force will create a specialized test category for cyber unit officer candidates from fiscal 2025. The Defense Ministry laid out the plans in a comprehensive strategy announcement on Tuesday.

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