Japan: Opened consultation on revised METI guide on methods for managing software vulnerabilities using SBOM

On 26 April 2024, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) opened a public consultation on the revised draft of the guide for managing software vulnerabilities using the Software Bill of Materials (SBOM). The consultation remains open until 27 May 2024.This revision aims to address the increasing complexity and security threats in the software supply chain by outlining specific procedures for effectively using SBOM in software vulnerability management, considering the cost-effectiveness of SBOM implementation, and detailing contractual matters related to SBOM in software part transactions. The consultation seeks to gather opinions from both software suppliers and procurers to refine the guide, which also includes new models for SBOM compatibility and trading.