Theoretical, Empirical, and Normative Dimensions of State Involvement in Cybersecurity: The Case of Japan

Abstract

Unlike other major liberal democratic countries where the states can be argued to have oriented their involvement in cybersecurity relatively more towards the national security aspect such as the US, the role of the state in the cybersecurity realm has a less clear-cut orientation in the case of Japan. This paper clarifies the nature of the role of state in cybersecurity in Japan using the framework utilized by Cavelty and Egloft’s 2019 article (Cavelty & Egloff, 2019). Within this framework, the role of the state is analyzed in theoretical, empirical, and normative dimensions. The theoretical dimension analysis focuses on different theories in literature regarding the Japanese state whereas the data for the empirical dimension analysis come from publicly available records by key Japanese state and private organizations involved in cybersecurity. The normative dimension analysis emphasizes the time horizon aspect of cybersecurity policies the Japanese state should be directing its attention. In conclusion, it is found that the Japanese state embodies the roles of “knowledge creator/disseminator”, “supporter/representative of society”, “partner”, and “guarantor and protector” in addition to a necessity for government bodies to turn towards proactive long-term policies and initiatives for better cybersecurity in Japan.