‘Cyberattacks are having a huge impact on people’s lives and economic activities’: Japan joins list of countries turning towards offensive cyber operations

Japan’s military will be allowed to conduct offensive cyber operations The government’s decision involved a reinterpretation of the constitution Japan faces “the most complicated national security environment” since 1945 From October 1 2026, Japan’s Self-Defense Force will be allowed to conduct offensive cyber-operations. Japan’s government made the decision to interpret Clause 9 of the country’s constitution to allow for offensive cyber-operations that pursue infrastructure used to conduct cyber attacks. Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara explained in his afternoon briefing that Japan faces, “the most complicated national security environment” it has seen since World War II. Article continues below Reinterpreting the…