[Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly Report] Will hospitals stop? How to protect Tokyo's cybersecurity—Challenges and progress seen from proposing drills
Hello, this is Eita Aoki, a member of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly.
At the Budget Special Committee on March 13, 2025, I asked questions regarding the strengthening of cybersecurity measures.
As the digitalization of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government progresses, we are in an era where critical infrastructure such as hospitals, water supply, and transportation are targets of cyberattacks. In fact, damage such as the suspension of electronic medical records and the paralysis of hospital functions has occurred nationwide. Given such realities, I strongly advocated for the necessity of
conducting drills at the 3rd regular session last year as well.
● The "practice of drills" I have been proposing since last year has finally been realized
At the 3rd regular session of 2024, I argued as follows:
“We should prepare for cyberattacks on critical infrastructure on the premise that they will happen. Should the Metropolitan Government not conduct
practical drills that include the field level?”
In response to this proposal, this January, the Metropolitan Government conducted its first cyber crisis management drill targeting metropolitan hospitals.
https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOCC222L40S5A120C2000000/
This time, I asked the Metropolitan Government again about the results and future developments.
● Question: How will the results of the drills be linked to strengthening security for the entire Metropolitan Government?
“How will the knowledge gained from the drills that were conducted be utilized throughout the entire Metropolitan Government?”
▼ Response from the Director General of the Bureau of Digital Services (Summary)
In the drills, we confirmed the importance of initial response and the necessity of information coordination with relevant departments
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Going forward:
Standardization of information sharing tools within the Tokyo Metropolitan Government
Strengthening cooperation with GTTO (Global Security Talent)
Continuation and expansion of practical training
Identification of potential risks and strengthening cooperation with relevant bureaus
● A message from Aoki: Training is not just 'done and dusted'
I emphasized this once again:
"Cyberattacks are not a question of 'if they happen,' but 'when they will happen.' Training should not be a 'formal exercise,' but 'preparation to save lives' that hones decision-making skills in the field."
● Summary: Toward a Tokyo resilient to cyberattacks, from policy to action
Cyberattacks have now become a threat on par with natural disasters. And just like disaster prevention, preparation can be the difference between life and death, which is why
measures against cyber disastersare essential.
This training, which I proposed at the regular session and which the Tokyo Metropolitan Government has since initiated, is now underway. The challenge for the future is to
ensure this does not end as a one-time effort, but is elevated into 'daily preparedness' across the entire government.is the challenge ahead.
To protect the lives and livelihoods of Tokyo residents, I will continue to do my utmost to advance cybersecurity measures in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.
📍 #TokyoMetropolitanAssembly #Cybersecurity #TokyoMetropolitanHospitals #CrisisManagementTraining #SamePerspectiveAsDisasterPrevention #TheMostAccessibleAssemblyMemberInTokyo #EitaAoki