Lagging Behind While Running Ahead: Understanding Japan's Cybersecurity Paradox

Japan is widely recognized as one of the world's most technologically advanced countries. Yet when it comes to the field of cybersecurity, Japan has often been perceived as lagging behind other major powers. Why does this apparent contradiction exist? What are the less known factors reinforcing this image?

In this YCAPS Getting to Know Japan webinar, Dr. Elif Sercen Nurcan examines Japan's distinctive approach to cybersecurity, beginning with the 2018 incident involving then-Minister in charge of Cybersecurity Yoshitaka Sakurada. The presentation will provide a brief introduction to cybersecurity and its relationship with national security before examining how Japan's postwar security framework, constitutional and institutional constraints, political culture, and approach to technology have shaped its cybersecurity governance. The presentation will also consider Japanese cybersecurity initiatives, including public-private cooperation and WARPDRIVE, before turning to Japan's recent move toward Active Cyber Defense.

The discussion will mainly focus on distinguishing on how Japan’s traditionally restrained cybersecurity model leads to an image of lagging behind in an increasingly complex threat environment. Including visual materials, various examples of the differences in the Japanese approach to cybersecurity will be given in contrast to other cases like the US and China.

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This event is a part of YCAPS' "Getting to Know Japan Series".

Speaker:

Dr. Elif Sercen Nurcan is political scientist specializing in Japanese politics, cybersecurity, technology policy, and national security. She holds a PhD in Political Science from Meiji University and was a MEXT Scholarship recipient. She currently serves as a Research Associate at the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies (YCAPS), where she contributes to research and programming on Japan and the Asia-Pacific region alongside with social media and academic coordination. Her research examines the role of the Japanese state in cybersecurity provision, public-private cooperation, technology policy, and Japan's evolving security environment. She has presented her research at international and Japanese academic forums, including the International Political Science Association (IPSA) and the Japan Association of Comparative Political Science (JACPS), Thammasat University (Thailand), National Chengchi University (Taiwan), as well as at Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (APU). Her research has also been published in various academic journals. Dr. Nurcan is trilingual in Turkish, English, and Japanese, holding a JLPT N1 certification.

Format: This event will be recorded and published in our web archive. Questions are encouraged during the live event.

Registration: Required Link

Moderators: Amani Kidd and Jeffery Mazziotta

Webinar Cost: Free of charge