Microsoft Corp. today announced it has signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement with the High-Tech Crime Technology Division, Info-Communications Bureau of the National Police Agency (NPA) of Japan. Under this agreement, Microsoft will help support the division�s cybercrime-fighting efforts by providing security training and a hot line for sharing technical information.

�It is vital for public and private sectors to work together to defeat the increasingly malicious and sophisticated methods used by cybercriminals,� said Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect at Microsoft. �This Technical Cooperation Agreement with the NPA represents a significant step in the fight against cybercrime.�

The High-Tech Crime Technology Division (formerly known as the Technology Measures Division) was established in April 1999 to carry out information technology-related analysis aimed at fighting crime. Its focus is on cyberforensic analysis, Internet security situation analysis, and the provision of secure communications within law enforcement agencies.