Email security has seen many developments over the years. Starting in February 2024, Google and Yahoo made it mandatory for bulk senders to implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to combat the growing menaces attempted through phishing and spoofing. Now, Yahoo Japan has also taken a step further in the same direction— it has made it compulsory to deploy DMARC for sender domains so that users receive messages from only verified and trusted sources.
While this new policy will combat cybercrimes, it will also help brands improve their IP reputation, deliverability rate, spam rate, etc., which will ultimately pay off for their email marketing efforts. The more businesses jump on the email security bandwagon and adopt the latest practices, the safer the email ecosystem will become.

What are the new email authentication requirements for Yahoo Japan users?
Here’s what exactly is included in the requirements-
Stricter rules for emails that fail security checks
When you deploy SPF, DKIM, and DMARC for your domain, all your outgoing emails are evaluated for authenticity. Emails that fail the authentication checks are either placed in the spam folder or rejected. This way, targeted recipients don’t come across malicious emails and fall into the trap.

Unique brand icons for verified emails
Verified senders’ emails will display unique brand icons and colors, improving visibility, enhancing credibility, and making them appear more trustworthy. Your targeted audience receives so many emails daily, and it becomes a big challenge for you to stand out in their crowded inboxes. However, distinct brand elements make your messages more noticeable and increase engagement. It’s a powerful way to stand out in a crowded inbox and ensure your message gets through.
Collaboration
Yahoo Japan is a member of the Japan Anti-Abuse Working Group (JPAAWG). The two organizations work together to strengthen email security and improve email deliverability. They try making SPF, DKIM, and DMARC more efficient so that businesses deploy them without hesitation. Additionally, this partnership plays a crucial role in optimizing email deliverability, ensuring that legitimate emails successfully reach recipients’ inboxes while filtering out harmful or unwanted messages.

What does this new requirement mean for businesses?
When you start using a new technology for your business, it surely requires effort and finances. You have to understand the process, its requirements, and utilities, followed by onboarding the right human resource to take care of it. However, once you are past the initial hiccups, the transition or adoption becomes easier, and you start understanding the importance of the technology. In the same way, implementing DMARC for Yahoo Japan will be a task at first but then it will help companies shield their brands from email-based menaces.

Treat this as more than just compliance—it’s a crucial security measure.
Many domain owners have adopted DMARC but use the p=none policy, which only monitors and doesn’t block phishing attempts. To fully protect your domain, it’s important to gradually move to stricter policies like p=quarantine and p=reject.
Yes, this shift can be demanding for you. But if you are good with strategizing things, especially using the right policy with the percentage tag, you are good to go.
Feeling overwhelmed? Don’t worry, AutoSPF is here to help. Contact us to learn more!