Officials discussed cyber threats, capacity-building and AI cybersecurity cooperation during the Cyber Policy Dialogue.
Japan and Australia held their seventh Cyber Policy Dialogue in Tokyo on 18 June, bringing together senior government officials to discuss cybersecurity strategy, emerging technologies and bilateral cooperation.
The whole-of-government meeting was co-chaired by Miyake Fumito, Japan’s Ambassador in charge of Cyber Policy and Deputy Director-General of the Foreign Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Jessica Hunter, Australia’s Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Officials from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Cybersecurity Office, National Police Agency, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry took part in the dialogue.
Australia was represented by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Department of Industry, the Australian Signals Directorate’s Australian Cyber Security Centre and the Department of Home Affairs.
The dialogue followed Japan’s enactment of the Cyber Response Capability Strengthening Act and the adoption of a new national Cybersecurity Strategy, providing an opportunity for both sides to exchange views on evolving cyber policy frameworks. Both sides exchanged views on their respective cybersecurity strategies and policies, as well as cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels.
The meeting also built on the Japan-Australia Strategic Cyber Partnership, which Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed to launch during their May summit.
Discussions covered defence and deterrence against cyber threats, capacity-building initiatives, public-private partnerships, AI-related security challenges and broader cybersecurity cooperation. Both governments reaffirmed their commitment to continued cooperation on cyber issues through bilateral mechanisms, including the Japan-Australia Cyber Policy Dialogue.
Why does it matter?
The dialogue reflects the growing strategic importance of cybersecurity in the Indo-Pacific region. As cyber threats increasingly target governments, critical infrastructure and advanced technologies, countries are placing greater emphasis on international cooperation to strengthen resilience, share expertise and coordinate responses to emerging risks.
The inclusion of AI alongside traditional cybersecurity issues also highlights the changing nature of digital security. AI is becoming both a tool for cyber defence and a potential source of new threats, making policy coordination increasingly important. Closer cooperation between Japan and Australia may help strengthen regional cybersecurity governance while supporting broader efforts to address technological and security challenges in multilateral forums.
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