Japan introduces active cyber defence bill to strengthen national security
Japan’s government has introduced the Active Cyber Defense Legislation to enhance cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, with broad political support despite legal concerns and opposition from the Communist Party.
Among the 59 bills to be introduced to the Japanese government’s review this year within next 150 days, the Active Cyber Defense Legislation stands out due to its importance for Japan’s national security.
This bill, presented to the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) on January 16 and swiftly approved, is part of an effort to bolster Japan’s cybersecurity capabilities. We also earlier reported that Japan’s Liberal Democratic Party proposed an ‘active cyber defence’ system, allowing the government to collect telecom metadata to detect and prevent cyberattacks as part of broader national security reforms to strengthen the country’s cybersecurity capabilities.
The proposed legislation includes three main components: improving collaboration between the public and private sectors, allowing the government to access telecommunications data in cases of suspected cyberattacks, and enabling the neutralisation of attackers’ servers. Critical infrastructure sectors such as energy, transportation, and telecommunications would be required to report cyber incidents, with the government offering guidance on damage control and prevention.
The bill also grants the government the ability to monitor specific communications between Japan and foreign nations, but limits this to non-content data to address privacy concerns. In the event of a major cyberattack, the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) may be deployed to defend critical systems.
Although the bill has received widespread support, it faces legal challenges, particularly with regard to Japan’s constitutional protection of communication secrecy and its pacifist defense policies. Despite these concerns, public opinion remains favorable, with a recent poll showing 65% support for the legislation.
The government is moving forward with the proposal, aiming to enhance the protection of Japan’s critical infrastructure from increasing cyber risks. While the Japanese Communist Party opposes the bill, it has gained backing from major opposition parties, highlighting its broad political support.
