Japan's Act on Wiretapping for Criminal Investigation: How the system is implemented and how it should be

Abstract

Japan‘s Act on Wireapping for Criminal Investigation has been amended in 2016. The amendment was made by adding a wiretapping method using specifically designed device, and came into effect in 2019. Previously, the witness system was used to avoid unauthorized communication eavesdropping by investigative agencies. The amendment allows for the wiretapping without the need for witnesses. For this purpose, special interception system using cryptographic technology has been introduced. However, there has not been sufficient discussion of the issue of the interception system that satisfies the requirements of the law from a technical point of view. This paper discusses an interception system for adequate wiretapping to satisfy the act.