The government passed a new bill at a cabinet meeting on the 25th to strengthen economic security, such as supporting the stable supply of important products that are indispensable to people's lives.
I would like to establish it in the current Diet session.
On the 25th, the government decided on a new bill to strengthen economic security at a cabinet meeting.
The bill gives the government the authority to investigate the suppliers of companies so that important products such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals that are indispensable to people's lives can be stably supplied, as well as power and communications to prevent cyber attacks. Allows the state to conduct pre-screening when large infrastructure companies install critical equipment.
In addition, there is a system that allows patent applications to be kept private for military technologies that may impair the safety of the people.
We also have penalties to keep the system effective.
As the battle for supremacy of high-tech technology intensifies between the United States and China, the government aims to strengthen economic security such as preventing the outflow of advanced technology and securing important domestic supplies in line with Europe and the United States. I have.
On the other hand, there are voices from the business community and others concerned about whether the regulation will be excessive for business, and it seems that the government will be asked how to balance it with free economic activities. am.
Four Pillars of Economic Security Bill
This bill is the first systematic bill on economic security in Japan and consists of four pillars.
Strengthening the supply network
It is a mechanism to secure important products that are indispensable to people's lives.
The government will check whether products such as semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, important minerals such as rare earths and nickel, and raw materials for storage batteries are in a stable supply system.
We give the country the authority to investigate the sources of procurement of companies, and investigate whether they are relying too much on procurement in a specific country.
The target company submits a plan such as a production system for stable supply to the country and is certified.
Certified companies will be able to receive financial support from the state as needed.
Ensuring infrastructure security
This is a measure to ensure the safety of critical infrastructure.
When introducing important equipment to large companies in 14 industries that support infrastructure that supports people's lives such as electric power, telecommunications, and finance, the national government will conduct a preliminary examination.
This is a measure to prevent cyber attacks and information theft.
After checking the system for vulnerabilities, the government will be able to issue recommendations and orders to take necessary measures if it is considered that there is a high risk of being attacked.
Keeping patents private
This is a system that allows you to keep patent applications private for military technologies that may jeopardize the safety of the people.
Under the current system in Japan, if you apply for a patent, it will be published in principle one and a half years later.
At present, for example, there is a risk that the contents of an application filed by a Japanese company will be used by an overseas company and diverted to the military.
To prevent this from happening, we will focus on military technology and allow the application to be kept private.
On the other hand, the applicant keeps the place where the patent income is normally obtained private, so the government will compensate to avoid any disadvantage.
Research and development of advanced technology
We will also focus on research and development of advanced technology in which the public and private sectors are united.
After narrowing down the important technologies that should be prioritized and nurtured, we will establish a council in which the public and private sectors participate in each R & D project.
The participating organizations of the council will share necessary information such as past research data to encourage the development of technology.
There are also penalties to keep the system effective.
▽ If a business operator subject to critical infrastructure fails to make an appropriate notification when introducing critical equipment, or if
a related information is leaked due to an invention of an important technology that is subject to non-disclosure. Imprisonment for up to 2 years or a fine of up to 1 million yen.
Detection of malicious software More than 2.75 million cases in one year
This new bill includes a system in which the national government conducts a preliminary examination to see if there are any vulnerabilities in the system when a large company responsible for infrastructure, such as electric power and telecommunications, introduces important equipment.
Behind the scenes is the increasing number of cyber attacks targeting these companies.
According to a survey by information security company "Trend Micro", the number of cases of malicious software called "malware" detected in Japan in the last year has increased to more than 2.75 million and is increasing.
It is said that the spread of the new coronavirus infection from an adult has increased the number of teleworkers at home, and the number of cyber attacks that have reduced the level of security has also increased.
In recent years, there has been an increase in damage caused by computer viruses called "ransomware," which target companies and demand a ransom to encrypt stored data and restore it.
Katsuyuki Okamoto, a security evangelist at Trend Micro, said, "If an organization or company is hit by a cyber attack and its business is stopped, the services that it should be able to receive will stop, which may have a direct impact on our lives. It is an effective measure to eliminate system vulnerabilities before introduction, as in the system of this bill, but it is necessary to create a system that continues to check regularly after that. "
Expert “Cooperation between the government and the private sector is important”
Regarding the Cabinet decision on the bill, Professor Kazuto Suzuki of the Graduate School of Public Policy, the University of Tokyo, who is familiar with economic security, said, "Now, the way of thinking about world trade is at a major turning point. Until now, companies are free in the world of free trade. It was a principle to trade in Japan, but it has become clear that if you do it really freely, the security risk will be very large. Among them, Japan has one of the bills, the concept of economic security. By putting it together as a package, it may be possible to provide a model for a new era. "
On top of that, regarding issues after the enactment of the bill, "Companies are subject to various regulations and penalties for economic security. The government and companies balance security and economic benefits. It is important where to take it, and it is important to properly sort out what to do for security and to do business freely, and to build a cooperative relationship between the government and the private sector. " doing.