On Oct. 24, the Jackson School’s Program on Strategy, Policy and Diplomacy Research (SPDR) hosted the public panel, “Positioning Japan in Cybersecurity Trajectories.” Sponsored through a grant from the United States-Japan Foundation, the panel is part of the SPDR Speaker Series.
Professor Saadia Pekkanen, the SDPR director, welcomed the panel, moderated and chaired by Steven Vogel, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley.
Overview of Foreign and Defense Policies in Japan
Crystal Pryor, the managing director of TradeStrategic LLC, discussed the latest developments in Japan’s national strategies relating to defense, tech, and economy. She noted that in contrast to the cautionary pace of previous administrations, the current Japanese government is moving quickly to enact policy changes, and that foreign and defense policy is focused on economic security. According to Pryor, technology governance is a priority for Japan as it takes a more active role in building its cyber defenses.
President Donald Trump met with the newly-elected Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s first female prime minister, on Oct. 28. According to Pryor, this summit will mark the next phase of U.S.-Japan relations, and trade and security will be important topics to keep an eye on in future talks.
Overview of Cybersecurity around the World
Assistant Teaching Professor and Jackson School Cybersecurity Initiative Lead Jessica Beyer provided framing for the global state of cybersecurity, explaining that our current cyber environment is markedly more dangerous than in previous years. Out of all threats, cybercrime is the largest issue that all countries are dealing with, and cyberattacks are occurring on a more frequent basis. Beyer added that the United States has changed its position on the global stage – historically, it has been influential in shaping international cybersecurity by helping other countries with capacity building and providing funding. Now, the United States has taken a “general step back” in leadership, defunding and downsizing agencies that prioritize cybersecurity and capacity building.
Japan in Cyber Security
Miami University Assistant Professor Benjamin Bartlett focused on Japan’s implementation of the Active Cyber Defense law that was passed in May. Japan has switched its view, taking an offensive approach to cybersecurity by monitoring the metadata of private communications and neutralizing discovered threats. Bartlett described Japan’s strategy as creating a “chicken and egg problem,” since the government needs permission to look at data they perceive to be linked with malicious cyber activity.
In the panel discussion and audience Q&A, questions covered a variety of topics, including international collaboration and capacity building, public opinion and voter issues, public-private relationships, AI, and more.