cybersakura.jp

What It Is

CyberSAKURA（サイバーサクラ） is an experiential cybersecurity education program for junior and senior high school students across Japan. The main text states that participants’ understanding exceeds 80%, and that in the 2026 academic year, individual applications will be open to students aged “13 to 18.” The program has shifted from its previous competition-based format to a hands-on practical format, making it more of a beginner-friendly entry point rather than something only for students with prior competition experience.

Core Curriculum and Format

The curriculum is divided into three ROUNDs across the year. ROUND1, “守る,” focuses on building a web server in the cloud, performing vulnerability assessment, and hardening defenses. ROUND2, “磨く,” is a CTF-style cybersecurity Q&A format where students use knowledge, search, and tools to find answers. ROUND3, “追う,” involves tracing evidence in a compromised system and learning cyber investigation methods used by police officers. Classes are held online via Zoom, and participants are required to use a computer capable of hands-on operations; tablets are not suitable. Discord is used for pre-event registration, live support, questions, and peer interaction. The program also provides keywords, skill maps, and review materials to help students assess the difficulty level and plan their learning path.

Pricing and Certificates

Pricing is a clear advantage of the program: the main text explicitly states that participation is free, with each ROUND/event supported by partner companies and organizations. Registration is handled separately for each ROUND or event. After creating a member account, students can receive event information by email earlier than it appears on the website and register in advance. The main text does not mention certificates, credentials, or completion proof, so it should not be viewed as a certification-oriented course.

Pros and Cons

Its strengths are that it is free, online, highly practice-oriented, and covers three typical cybersecurity learning scenarios: defense, CTF, and investigation. It is well suited to junior and senior high school students who do not know where to start. Discord-based Q&A and review materials also improve the learning support experience. Limitations include clear age and student-status requirements, and the main pages are in Japanese, making it unfriendly for non-Japanese learners. Participants also need access to a computer, Zoom, and Discord. The main text does not disclose detailed instructor backgrounds, lesson duration, or capacity limits.

Who It’s For and Access from China

It is best suited to students aged 13–18 who can communicate in Japanese and want a low-barrier way to experience cybersecurity, especially those who want to try CTF but lack a foundation. The main text does not provide information about access from mainland China. Tools such as Zoom and Discord may be unstable or restricted in China, so participants should test their network before joining. Since participation is free, payment is not an obvious barrier. If joining is not practical, alternatives include local school information security clubs, youth CTF training camps, or accessible CTF practice platforms.