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.