Cyber operators from Canada and Japan participated in MASAKARI 25, a military exercise aimed at ensuring security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. Held during the summer, the event strengthened the collaboration between the Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command and the Japan Self-Defense Forces Cyber Defense Command.
According to CAFCYBERCOM Commander Maj. Gen. Dave Yarker, MASAKARI 25 showcased the commitment of both nations to “shape a secure and rules-based digital environment.” “Together, we advanced persistent engagement in a region where cyber threats increasingly test the resolve of open societies,” he said.
Yarker emphasized the importance of partnerships amid a growing number of evolving digital threats that threaten national and regional security.
Hosted by CAFCYBERCOM under Operation HORIZON, the exercise brought together Canadian and Japanese cyber professionals, as well as Royal Canadian Navy personnel, to engage in combined defensive cyber activities.
Maj. Gen. Akitsugu Kimura, commander of the JSDF Cyber Defense Command, said the military exercise brought the two nations closer together. “I am confident that Canada and Japan are well-united and able to contribute to the security in the Indo-Pacific region,” he added.
Tokyo has been advocating for greater collaboration to ensure stability in the Indo-Pacific. In February, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani indicated that the government aims to bridge the gap between its defense policies and weapon exports, strengthening defense industrial ties and promoting regional peace and stability.