Learn in the textbookLaws on Unauthorized Access and Cyber Crime
DefinitionThe Cybersecurity Basic Act (サイバーセキュリティ基本法) is a law that lays down the basic principles (基本理念) for defending the whole country against cyberattacks and similar threats, and the responsibilities (責務) of the national government, local governments and others.
ExplanationEnacted in 2014, it sets the direction on which individual measures are built. Under this act, a body that pulls together and drives the national strategy was set up within the Cabinet. Besides the national and local governments, it also asks operators of critical infrastructure and the public to play their part from their own positions.
AnalogyThink of crime prevention for a whole apartment building: it resembles the house rules that spell out what the residents' association, each household and visiting contractors are each responsible for.
Memory hook"Basic Act" in a law's name marks a type of law that sets the basic policy for a field and guides the specific laws and measures within it (the Basic Environment Act is another example).