CODE BLUE 2025: Japan’s Premier Cybersecurity International Conference Announces Yoichi Iida, Head of Japan’s Cybersecurity Policy at NCO, as Closing Keynote Speaker

The CODE BLUE Executive Committee has announced that Yoichi Iida, National Cyber Director at the National Cybersecurity Office (NCO), will deliver the closing keynote at the international cybersecurity conference, CODE BLUE 2025 (Training: November 16-17, Conference: November 18-19 in Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo). In addition, the committee has revealed the first lineup of contests and workshops that will be co-located with the conference.

CODE BLUE 2025

■ Closing Keynote to Address Japan’s Cybersecurity Policy at a Historic Turning Point

In recent years, cybersecurity has become deeply intertwined with a broad range of fields, including diplomacy and the economy, and is now a vital component of national security. Against this backdrop, in May 2025, Japan enacted the Act on the Enhancement of Cyber Response Capabilities (*1) and related laws(*2). These new laws aim to strengthen public-private cooperation, enable the strategic use of communication data, implement access control and content sanitization measures, and establish robust organizational frameworks. These measures are scheduled to take effect within the next 18 months. In line with this development, on July 1, 2025, the National center of Incident readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) was restructured into a new entity, the National Cybersecurity Office (NCO). Japan’s cybersecurity policy has thus entered a major turning point, paving the way for the full-scale consideration and implementation of national security–focused initiatives.

At this year’s CODE BLUE, we are honored to welcome Mr. Yoichi Iida, National Cyber Director at the National Cybersecurity Office (NCO), as a keynote speaker. We believe that CODE BLUE’s mission is to serve as a vital platform where government and industry can exchange views and share insights during this historic turning point. This keynote lecture is expected to offer significant insights for envisioning the future of cybersecurity.

*1 "Act on the prevention of damage caused by unauthorized acts against critical computers"

*2 "Act on the maintenance of related laws in connection with the act on the prevention of damage caused by unauthorized acts against critical computers"

<Profile: Yoichi Iida>

 Yoichi Iida joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now METI) in April 1989. He has held key positions in the Minister’s Secretariat, Trade Bureau, Manufacturing Industries Bureau, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, and the Agency for Natural Resources and Energy. He also served as Director of the Space Industry Office, Director General of the NEDO European Office (France), Director of the Aerospace and Defense Industry Division, Director General of Trade Control Department,  and of the Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau. As Director General of Trade Control Department and Trade and Economic Cooperation Bureau, he was involved in two revisions of the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act to strengthen export control and inward investment review. He also worked on the revision of the International Trade and Investment Insurance Act to better respond to risks such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and led the implementation of economic sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

From July 2022, he served as Cabinet Councillor at the National Security Secretariat, and from July 2023, as Director General for Economic Security at Cabinet Office. He was responsible for preparing the implementation of the Economic Security Promotion Act, which came into effect in May 2024, and was also responsible for the Act on the Protection and Utilization of Critical Economic Security Information, enacted in the same month.

In September 2024, he was assigned to the National Center of Incident Readiness and Strategy for Cybersecurity (NISC) as Deputy Chief Executive, where he led legislative work on the Act on the Enhancement of Cyber Response Capabilities and related laws to enable active cyber defense.

 In July 2025, he was appointed National Cyber Director, overseeing the operations of the newly established National Cybersecurity Office (NCO).

Mr. Iida holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Tokyo and a Master’s degree in International Development Policy from Duke University, USA.

■Contests and Workshops at CODE BLUE 2025 – First Lineup Announced

As in previous years, a wide range of contests and workshops will be held alongside the conference. These include a blue team exercise focused on incident response, a hands-on drone hacking workshop covering both software and hardware aspects, a CTF targeting smart home and OT devices, and a practical session on advanced techniques to bypass firewalls. All CODE BLUE attendees are welcome to join any of these sessions! We are now excited to announce the first lineup of 10 contests and workshops. CODE BLUE also offers Visitor Tickets*, which provides affordable access for those who wish to participate in contests and workshops.

*Please note that Visitor ticket holders will be able to attend Track 2 and Track 3 lectures, contest workshops, and sponsor exhibits, but will not be able to attend Track 1 talks or the networking party. For pricing details, please refer to the event overview at the end of this release.

<Program Overview: Contest>

● TRAPA Cyber Range Exercise

 The TRAPA Cyber Range Exercise is a blue team training program designed to strengthen participants’ ability to respond to cybersecurity threats in corporate environments. Participants will take on the role of a cyber incident response team member and work through simulated attack scenarios. By handling a large volume of threat alerts, identifying signs of attacks and overcoming various challenges, participants will be able to enhance their practical response and analytical capabilities.

Organizer: TRAPA Security

Date: November 18th (Tuesday) to November 19th (Wednesday), 2025

URL: https://codeblue.jp/en/program/contests-workshops/cyberrangeexercise/

<Program Overview: Workshop>

● Twin-Core CTF: From Soldering Fumes to PLC Pwn

This is a hardware CTF open to everyone. Participants will take on the challenge of assembling, analyzing, and attacking two open-source boards: 'CompatrIoT (IoT)', which mirrors smart-home devices, and 'CompatriOT (OT)', which simulates a PLC. The challenge begins with simple soldering tasks to earn flags, then players explore firmware extraction, wireless and NFC tricks, protocol tampering, and control‑logic mischief. Achievements are displayed on a live scoreboard in real time, and mentors provide support to keep things running smoothly. Even beginners can join as long as they have curiosity, and they leave with new skills and a custom board.

Organizer: Traboda CyberLabs

Date: November 18th (Tuesday) to November 19th (Wednesday), 2025

URL: https://codeblue.jp/en/program/contests-workshops/twin-core-ctf/

●Drone Hacking

It is an on-site practical drone hacking activity. Audience will be provided with assembled parts of UAV and learn how to hack the drone in either software or hardware based environments. They also have the opportunity to build a drone themselves.

Organizer: Loong

Date: November 18th (Tuesday) to November 19th (Wednesday), 2025

URL: https://codeblue.jp/en/program/contests-workshops/drone-hacking/

●Whispers Through the Firewall: Data Exfiltration and C2 with Port Knocking

In this workshop, participants will use Saucepot C2, an advanced port knocking technique, to learn about data exfiltration and C2 communication methods in strict firewall environments. By utilizing source ports instead of destination ports, communication becomes possible even in highly restricted settings. This hands-on workshop offers an opportunity to experience MITRE ATT&CK techniques.

Organizer: Hubert Lin

Date: November 18th (Tuesday), 2025

URL: https://codeblue.jp/en/program/contests-workshops/whispers-th-fw/

●CyberTAMAGO

Cyber TAMAGO is an initiative born from the desire to share cybersecurity tools and ideas, exchange “likes,” and ultimately send security talent to global tool-focused events. The program features panel discussions where participants introduce and debate their tools with peers working on similar projects. We also plan hackathons and collaborations, where participants combine their skills to transform ideas into reality.

Organizer: Shota Shinogi

Date: November 19th (Wednesday), 2025

URL: https://codeblue.jp/en/program/contests-workshops/cybertamago/

●Biohacking Village

Biohacking Village offers insightful talk sessions on medical device cybersecurity, practical hands-on workshops, and an immersive CTF based on real-world medical scenarios. A variety of real medical devices will also be available, enabling participants—from beginners to experienced engineers—to directly explore how these systems function and how to secure them.

Organizer: Nina Alli

Date: November 18th (Tuesday) to November 19th (Wednesday), 2025

URL: https://codeblue.jp/en/program/contests-workshops/biohacking-village/

●Car Hacking Village

Car Hacking Village offers hands-on experience with real in-vehicle systems and aftermarket devices while learning about key automotive protocols such as CAN Bus and Automotive Ethernet. The village also features talks by world-class researchers presenting the latest vulnerabilities and exploitation techniques in the automotive domain. A dedicated open hacking area equipped with hardware used in Pwn2Own Automotive is available for exploration and experimentation. Participants will also have a chance to win the popular Car Hacking Village PCB badge, as seen at DEF CON.

Organizer: Mohammad Ghali (Kamel)

Date: November 18th (Tuesday) to November 19th (Wednesday), 2025

URL: https://codeblue.jp/en/program/contests-workshops/carhacking-village/

●Aerospace Village

At Aerospace Village, you can explore cutting-edge research and initiatives at the forefront of aerospace and security, experiencing how innovators and security experts collaborate to build a safe and trustworthy future. The village features demonstrations of CubeSats, the Space Grand Challenge designed for beginners and young people, automated security assessments for CCSDS protocols, and preparations against cyberattacks in outer space—showcasing the latest advancements in aerospace security.

Organizer: Henry Danielson

Date: November 18th (Tuesday) to November 19th (Wednesday), 2025

URL: https://codeblue.jp/en/program/contests-workshops/aerospace-village/

●ICS Village

ICS Village offers a hands-on workshop focused on the security of Industrial Control Systems (ICS) and Operational Technology (OT). Through CTF-style challenges, participants can explore topics ranging from PLC programming, network traffic analysis, and digital forensics, covering both foundational skills and advanced techniques. Additionally, interactive exhibits featuring a miniature smart city allow attendees to witness live demonstrations of real ICS/OT vulnerabilities and defense measures.

Organizer: Tom VanNorman

Date: November 18th (Tuesday) to November 19th (Wednesday), 2025

URL: https://codeblue.jp/en/program/contests-workshops/ics-village/

●Maritime Hacking Village

At Maritime Hacking Village, you can learn both offensive and defensive aspects of technologies used in the global maritime industry through realistic sea-based hacking experiences. Based on scenarios simulating actual maritime environments, participants can challenge themselves with a CTF that covers a wide range of maritime systems and security issues. The village also features talks by leading industry experts, sharing the latest insights into maritime cybersecurity.

Organizer: Duncan Woodbury

Date: November 18th (Tuesday) to November 19th (Wednesday), 2025

URL: https://codeblue.jp/en/program/contests-workshops/maritime-hacking-village/

Contest and workshop at CODE BLUE 2024

■CODE BLUE 2025 Overview

Date: November 16th (Sunday) to November 19th (Wednesday), 2025

Organizer: CODE BLUE Executive Committee

Operation: CODE BLUE Secretariat (BLUE Co., Ltd.)

Language: Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation available* 　　　　             　         (*excluding some talks)

Format: In-person

【Training】

Date: November 16th (Sunday) to November 17th(Monday), 2025

  (Each course is subject to a minimum number of participants)

Venue: Bellesalle Shinjuku Minamiguchi 

　　　 (Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Minamiguchi Building 4F)

*Please refer to the Training page of the official website for the participation fee and details of each course.

(Japanese) https://codeblue.jp/program/trainings/

(English) https://codeblue.jp/en/program/trainings/

【Conference】

Date: November 18th (Tuesday) to November 19th (Wednesday), 2025

Venue: Bellesalle Takadanobaba

　    　(Sumitomo Fudosan Shinjuku Garden Tower B2/1F)

Price: 

 1.Conference Ticket

(Full Access to All Areas, Including the Networking Party)

　  <Regular Price> 98,000 yen (tax incl.): June 1st - Nov 11th

　  <On Site> 128,000 yen (tax incl.): Nov 18th - Nov 19th

2. Visitor Ticket

(Access Limited to Select Areas, No Participation in Main Track or Networking Parties)

　 <Regular Price> 28,000 yen (tax incl.): June 1st - Nov 11th

　  <On Site> 32,000 yen (tax incl.): Nov 18th - Nov 19th

Registration:

Please register from the Registration page on the official website.

(Japanese) https://codeblue.jp/registration/

(English) https://codeblue.jp/en/registration/

(Press) https://codeblue.jp/en/registration/press-registration/

■About CODE BLUE

CODE BLUE is an international cybersecurity conference that brings together top-class experts from Japan and around the world. Now in its 13th edition, the conference offers cutting-edge presentations by cybersecurity specialists, as well as opportunities for information exchange and networking that transcend national and language barriers. By gathering world-class experts active in diverse fields, CODE BLUE aims to invigorate and strengthen security collaboration across Asia, including Japan. The conference also seeks to discover and support talented young researchers from Japan and other Asian countries, encouraging them to step onto the global stage.

Official Site: https://codeblue.jp/en/

SNS:［X(formerly Twitter)］ https://twitter.com/codeblue_jp

　　 ［Facebook］ https://facebook.com/codeblue.jp

       ［LinkedIn］https://www.linkedin.com/company/codeblue-jp

■ About Sponsorship 

We are looking for sponsors for CODE BLUE 2025. (Please note that some sponsorship tiers are no longer available.) 

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please feel free to contact us via the inquiry form below, and we will send you the sponsorship materials.

[CODE BLUE Sponsor Inquiry Form]

https://forms.gle/hgjXCrH1GMKNFc9C9