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Japan and ASEAN are enhancing cybersecurity cooperation due to the rising threat of ransomware. Following a ransomware attack on Asahi Group in September 2025, Japan highlighted the need for robust defenses.

The ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre was established in 2018, and the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Community Alliance was launched in 2024 to facilitate collaboration. Since 2022, joint cybersecurity exercises between Japan and ASEAN defense authorities have been conducted, including a major exercise in Tokyo in July 2025. Japan aims to strengthen Southeast Asia's ability to respond to cyber threats, impacting over 15,000 Japanese companies in the region.