The Lower House recently approved a bill aimed at safeguarding economic security information through the implementation of government background checks for individuals in the private sector. This bill, supported by the ruling coalition of the Liberal Democratic Party and Komeito as well as opposition parties like the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, Nippon Ishin (Japan Innovation Party), and the Democratic Party for the People, signifies a crucial step in enhancing national security measures.
The legislation was introduced to include economic security as a critical area, requiring individuals, including company employees, to undergo security clearance background checks to handle designated information. The move to expand the security clearance system to encompass economic security is seen as a response to the evolving international landscape and the need to protect vital economic data amid heightened global tensions, particularly between the United States and China.
The bill mandates the protection of critical economic security information to safeguard Japan's national interests and facilitate private-sector participation in international research and development projects. Although several amendments were made to address concerns raised during Diet deliberations, the bill's approval marks a significant milestone in Japan's efforts to bolster its security infrastructure and align with global trends regarding the protection of sensitive economic data.