“Exclusively defense-oriented” no longer? Japan’s new “active cyber defense” policy

YCAPS is excited to announce our next event in Fussa. This event will feature Dr. Benjamin Bartlett, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and an affiliate of the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Michigan. Who will be presenting “Exclusively defense-oriented” no longer? Japan’s new “active cyber defense” policy.

In May 2025, Japan passed legislation implementing a new "active cyber defense policy". Prior to this legislation, Japan's cybersecurity policy had been "exclusively defense-oriented", but now, for the first time, the government is legally allowed to use offensive cyber capabilities in peacetime. Dr. Bartlett will discuss the threat environment that led to this shift, the nature of the new policy, and its significance.

Registration is optional (but helpful) via this form

Schedule:

• 18:15-19:00 - Welcome reception with refreshments. Feel free to show up at any time during the reception.
• 19:00-20:15 - Seminar and Q&A
• 20:15-20:30 - Optional casual networking and chatting/wrap up.

Location:

Fussa Shimin Kaiken (Fussa Citizen's Hall) Meeting Room #3

3f 〒197-0011 Tokyo, Fussa, 2455−2455 福生市民会館

Google Maps: Here

Speaker:

Dr. Benjamin Bartlett is an assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and an affiliate of the Center for Japanese Studies at the University of Michigan. He received his Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley and an M.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Toronto. His research interests include comparative cybersecurity policy, cybersecurity in East Asia, the role of cybersecurity in alliances, and international cooperation on cybersecurity capacity building. He has published in Journal of Cyber Policy, Asia Policy, The Pacific Review, and in the Oxford Handbook of Japanese Politics, and has a forthcoming co-authored article in Security Studies. He is also a 2022 recipient of an NEH Fellowship for Advanced Social Science Research on Japan.

Event Cost: Free of charge

Registration: Optional but helpful via this link

Format: This event will be off-the-record

Moderator: Jeff Mazziotta