S&P and IBM: 22% of global cyberattacks in 2024 hit Japan, the most targeted country, as it scrambles to improve its substandard systems against AI threats (Catherine Thorbecke/Bloomberg)

Japan faced 22% of global cyberattacks in 2024, making it the most targeted country, driven by vulnerable legacy systems and inadequate cybersecurity infrastructure that adversaries can exploit. This disproportionate targeting reflects both Japan's critical infrastructure importance and significant gaps in its defensive posture, creating urgent business continuity and operational risk for multinational organizations with Japan operations. Technology leaders must recognize this as a strategic vulnerability that extends beyond Japan's borders, as compromised Japanese systems can serve as entry points for supply chain attacks affecting global operations.