Cybersecurity in Japan

Two recent trends have been visible in Japanese politics: the increasing importance of politicians versus bureaucrats in policymaking, and the increasing willingness of the Japanese government to expand its authority and capability in dealing with national security. While these trends have affected Japanese cybersecurity policy as well, those effects have been limited. Much of the drafting of cybersecurity policy is done within a cabinet body primarily staffed with bureaucrats seconded from three ministries and one agency: METI, MIC, MOD, and NPA. And while the capabilities of the JSDF and the conditions under which it can operate have been expanded, as of yet there has been little sign that potential trade-offs between priorities are being resolved in favor of national security. The purpose of this chapter is to explain how bureaucratic politics and these trends in Japanese politics have shaped Japanese cybersecurity policy over time.