EXCLUSIVE: Japan Clears 18 Officials to Handle Economic Security Info

Tokyo, June 25 (Jiji Press)–Eighteen officials of two Japanese government agencies received notice in 2025 that they had been certified to be eligible to handle critical economic security information, Jiji Press learned Thursday. The results are included in a draft of the government’s upcoming first report under the law on the protection and utilization of critical economic security information. The personnel were qualified under the security clearance assessment system based on the law, which was enacted in May 2024 under then Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and implemented in May 2025 in an effort to bring the country’s information security standards in line with those of Western countries. Under the security clearance assessment system, individuals, either from administrative organizations or private entities, who need to access designated critical economic security information held by the government are screened to ensure they pose no risk of information leaks. The law requires the government to submit a report to the Diet, the country’s parliament, annually to ensure proper operation of the system. The draft report, created Thursday, covers the period from the enforcement date of the law to the end of 2025. The final version will be submitted to the Diet after obtaining cabinet approval in the near future. According to the draft, 20 items of information held by nine government agencies were designated as critical economic security information that could hinder national security if leaked. One of the designations has since been lifted. Of the designated 20, the largest number, five, were handled by the Foreign Ministry, followed by the Cabinet Office and the National Police Agency with three each. The Foreign Ministry’s information included that on quantum technology provided by foreign governments, while the Cabinet Office possessed information related to cryptography used for quasi-zenith satellite systems. The NPA had information concerning intelligence cooperation with foreign governments. During the reporting period, the Cabinet Office was requested to assess 217 individuals of 11 government agencies under the security clearance assessment system. There were no requests to check employees of private companies. Of the total, the largest number, 68, were members of the Nuclear Regulation Authority, followed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry with 58, the Cabinet Office with 39 and the Digital Agency with 16. Five of the 217 did not agree to be assessed or withdrew their consent. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]