The government plans to establish at government entities within a year expert groups to cooperate with the private sector in gathering information on cyberterrorism in an attempt to prevent computer attacks, government sources said Monday.

According to a draft action plan compiled by the government, it also aims to promote legislation to crack down on cyberterrorism that seriously affects the public.

The plan is expected to be finalized at a government panel meeting to enhance information security that will be held by the end of the year.

Under the plan, such industries as information and communications, finance, aviation, electricity and gas, and administrative services by central and local governments will be designated "essential infrastructure" in preparing for potential cyberterrorist attacks.

The expert body will be charged with conducting technical inspections and offering advice on information security to government ministries and agencies. It will also act as a liaison office between the government and the private sector.

Noting that computer attacks could occur across borders, the draft calls for conducting joint drills among the Group of Eight major nations and exchanging information with other countries.

The government will also release data on the number of hacking incidents in Japan and offer security training to private firms in a bid to raise public awareness about the importance of bolstering information security.