Abstract
This paper analyses how Japan has been extending and deepening the legal and political framework for its cybersecurity policy in recent years. It focuses on the significance of Japan’s bilateral cyber diplomacy and cooperation with its most important partners, especially the EU. It also introduces core objectives and policy positions on international law, capacity-building, cybercrime, confidence building, and recent initiatives on data privacy.
Key points:
- Japan has the ambition to become a leading nation and a model in dealing with cyber threats by expanding and deepening over a dozen bi- and multilateral cyber dialogues
- Japan’s core objective is to guarantee a free, fair, and secure cyberspace and the promotion of the rule of law in cyberspace, which it considers it essential to the peace and stability of the international community and Japan’s national security.
- Japan is a strong proponent of multi-stakeholderism and a whole-of-government approach, and the EU-Japan cyber dialogue as well as training and research cooperation are excellent examples for this. From 2019, the EU-Japan SPA offers ample opportunity to deepen and widen this cooperation in cyberspace.
- The promotion of the rule of law, capacity building and confidence-building measures are key components of Japan’s cyber diplomacy in South-East Asia, and the ASEAN-Japan Cybersecurity Capacity Building Centre (AJCCBC), the joint development of a standardized incident reporting framework across the region, and the establishment of ASEAN-CERT is evidence of Japan’s firm commitment.
