The Japan Times2d ago
Japan over the weekend marked the 10th anniversary of the implementation of its landmark national security legislation, as the scope of the SDF's activities continues to expand. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/03/30/japan/politics/japan-security-legislation-marks-10-years/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #sdf #securitylaws #ldp #sanaetakaichi #iran #defense #defenseministry
Japan marks a decade since landmark security legislation took effect

The legislation — and what it allows Japan to do — has come under the spotlight amid the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesDec 11
The government plans to include information critical to economic security among areas subject to classification for specially designated secrets. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/11/japan/politics/economic-security-designated-secrets/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #ldp #securitylaws #terrorism #defense #espionage
Japan to add economic security to scope of designated secrets

The government hopes to enhance information security by operating the specially designated secrets system in conjunction with the security clearance program.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesNov 2
Minoru Kihara, newly appointed as chief cabinet secretary under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's government, has vowed to boldly revise the country's three key national security-related documents. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/02/japan/japan-security-documents-revision/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #minorukihara #sanaetakaichi #securitylaws #defense
Kihara vows bold revision of security documents

The Takaichi administration, inaugurated Oct. 21, aims to revise the documents next year.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesOct 31
The Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan is showing signs of changing its position on the country's national security legislation, in an apparent shift toward realism to take the helm of the government. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/10/31/japan/politics/cdp-security-legislation/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #cdp #securitylaws #constitution
CDP signals change of position on security legislation

Former leader Edano's remarks surprised some party members and supporters because they affect the party's foundation.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesSep 19, 2025
Japan's Self-Defense Forces have been promoting operational integration with the U.S. military since the enactment of Japan's national security laws a decade ago. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/19/japan/politics/10-years-security-laws/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #defense #securitylaws #usjapanrelations
10 years on, security laws continue to boost Japan-U.S. defense ties

The laws, enacted in 2015, allow Japan to exercise its right to collective self-defense and have helped the SDF expand its activities with like-minded countries.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMay 10, 2024
Japan's parliament on Friday enacted a bill to introduce a security clearance system that grants certain individuals access to important information related to economic security. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/05/10/japan/politics/security-clearance-bill/ #japan #politics #economicsecurity #securitylaws #diet #fumiokishida
Japan's parliament enacts new economic security clearance bill

The new law will work in conjunction with an existing law on the protection of specially designated secrets.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesMay 7, 2024
Thousands protested when Japan passed a controversial state secrets law 10 years ago. Now, as parliament debates a new security bill, no such backlash can be seen. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/05/07/japan/politics/economic-security-legislation/ #japan #politics #economicsecurity #securitylaws #sanaetakaichi #diet #fumiokishida #shinzoabe #cdp #russia #ukraine
Unlike 10 years ago, Japan's new security bill sparks little debate

Some point to a shift in the nation’s security stance, while opposition party lawmakers indicate a general apathy among the media to cover the story.

The Japan Times
Norobiik @[email protected]Apr 12, 2024

“Ideas are bulletproof”. Three words, stamped out in multicolour tiles above a doorway, represented one of the last vestiges of #HongKong’s once vibrant literary spaces. On 31 March, #MountZero, a beloved independent #bookstore in Hong Kong, closed its doors for the final time. Hundreds of Hongkongers came to say goodbye.

‘The old days are no more’: Hong Kong goes quiet as #SecurityLaws tighten their grip
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/12/hong-kong-national-security-law-2020-impacts

‘The old days are no more’: Hong Kong goes quiet as security laws tighten their grip

NGOs and bookshops are closing, media organisations are leaving and democracy activists are on trial

The Guardian
The Japan TimesMar 25, 2024
With the unanimous passing of the national security law, Hong Kong's "all patriots" legislature has shown that its willingness to toe the government line. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2024/03/25/world/hong-kong-rubber-stamp-legislature/ #commentary #worldnews #hongkong #china #humanrights #securitylaws
Is Hong Kong headed for a rubber-stamp legislature?

With the unanimous passing of the new national security law, Hong Kong's 'patriotic' council has shown that its willingness to toe the government line.

The Japan Times
The Japan TimesJan 15, 2024
With national security in mind, the government on Monday added six U.S. military and other key facilities to its list of locations where the acquisition and use of land in nearby areas is subject to tighter regulations. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2024/01/15/japan/politics/japan-land-use-rule/?utm_content=bufferf5f02&utm_medium=social&utm_source=mastodon&utm_campaign=bffmstdn #japan #politics #securitylaws #sdf #defenseministry #usmilitary
Japan tightens land use rules near six U.S. military facilities

The law encourages scrutiny of land use near designated facilities and the regulation of activities there that could prevent interference of operations in the area.

The Japan Times