Japan establishes public-private forum to counter AI cyber threats in financial sector
The Financial Services Agency convenes 36 entities, including major banks and tech firms, to address risks posed by Anthropic’s Mythos model.
Japan’s Financial Services Agency is establishing a public-private working group to mitigate cybersecurity risks to the financial system stemming from Anthropic’s new artificial intelligence model, Mythos. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama announced the initiative on Tuesday, shortly after concluding a meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Tokyo. The move underscores the growing intersection of financial stability and advanced technology security in critical infrastructure sectors.
The forum will comprise 36 entities, bringing together a broad spectrum of stakeholders including megabanks, internet banks, the Bank of Japan, and the Japanese units of Anthropic and OpenAI. The group is scheduled to hold its inaugural meeting on Thursday, chaired by Osamu Terai, Chief Information Security Officer at Mizuho Financial Group. This structure aims to foster a shared understanding of potential AI threats among the financial and tech industries, policymakers, and the U.S. government.
Discussions within the working group will focus on developing defensive measures and contingency planning for scenarios where cyber threats cannot be fully contained. The FSA indicated that the forum will also examine procedures for handling vulnerabilities once they are identified. Additionally, the regulator is considering protocols for sharing information with U.S. and other overseas authorities to enhance cross-border coordination on these emerging risks.
Anthropic has launched Project Glasswing, an initiative designed to provide access to its latest AI model for defensive purposes to a limited number of organisations. The FSA noted that interest among Japanese banks in gaining access to the model is growing, although it did not clarify whether any institutions have formally sought access through the programme. This development highlights the proactive steps financial institutions are taking to secure their operations against sophisticated AI-driven attacks.
The establishment of this forum follows broader global efforts to manage cybersecurity risks associated with advanced artificial intelligence models. By involving major financial institutions and tech giants, the initiative reflects a coordinated approach to safeguarding the financial system. The FSA’s consideration of information-sharing mechanisms with international partners suggests a long-term strategy to address the evolving landscape of digital threats.
