The article examines the limit of cyber deterrence strategy implementation in East Asia. Particularly for the cases of Taiwan and Japan, both countries’ national security documents have displayed the need to deter state sponsored cyberattacks, yet, the utility of such approaches remained unclear, due to a lack of both empirical and theoretical research. By delving into various deterrence constructs, Yau concludes that none of the mechanisms can be employed without issues. Furthermore, Yau investigates which deterrence thinking is based while suggesting that an alternative strategy on regional cooperation is possible and desirable in current political climate, and policymakers should develop security countermeasures aligned with threats posed by the actors they wish to confront.
