TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The Japanese government will start encouraging the growth of the domestic cybersecurity industry to reduce dependence on services provided by foreign companies.

In the plan to be launched in the fiscal year from April, the government aims to more than triple annual domestic cybersecurity sales to over 3 trillion yen ($20.2 billion) within 10 years from the current 900 billion yen, the industry ministry said in early March.

Japanese consumers primarily opt for antivirus software and other cybersecurity services offered by international companies over domestic options based on their track records and prices.

However, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry stresses that it is essential to have domestic capability to assess threats and to develop products that will prevent the spread of damage from cyberattacks targeting the country.

"There is insufficient investment in domestic products because they are unprofitable, creating a vicious cycle where they struggle to compete," a ministry official said.

Under the plan, the government aims to strengthen the domestic cybersecurity industry by contracting local startups to provide services and products at its offices and holding contests to promote research and development.