Press Conference by SUZUKI Shunichi, Minister of Finance and Minister of State for Financial Services

(Excerpt)

(Friday, February 25, 2022, 8:42 am to 8:47 am)

[Questions and answers:]

Q.

The current situation in Ukraine raises concerns over cyberattacks against financial institutions and companies. I heard that the FSA issued a notice, but how do you recognize the current situation and possible risks, and what measures are you considering as the minister in charge of financial services?

A.

Financial institutions constitute part of critical infrastructures and should always be well-prepared for cyberattacks. The FSA issued a notice to financial institutions nationwide to request them to make efforts to strengthen their countermeasures against cyberattacks. On February 23, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry issued a notice calling for attention to the strengthening of cybersecurity measures, in light of the current circumstances. Based on this notice, on the same day, jointly with the National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the FSA also called to financial institutions through their industry organizations for their attention and widely requested immediate reporting to the FSA and Local Finance Bureaus in the event of  a cyberattack.
The FSA will continuously endeavor to ensure cybersecurity in the financial sector in close collaboration with relevant ministries and agencies.