Japan is set to become an active party to an international treaty designed to combat computer crime. The Diet, which earlier this year approved the Convention on Cyber-crime, is in the process of debating a set of revision bills for related domestic laws, including the Criminal Law. Given the rapid rise in online offenses at home and abroad, the treaty should be ratified as soon as possible.

There is, however, considerable opposition to legislative amendments considered essential for treaty ratification. Criminal procedures, for example, would be revised so that police and other investigative agencies could request that Internet service providers keep communications records for up to 90 days. Opponents fear that this might violate the confidentiality of private communications. Domestic measures must be taken to dispel such concerns.

According to a report released by the National Police Agency last week, the number of cases of cyber-crime in the first six months of this year reached 1,063, up 12 percent from a year earlier. More than 90 percent were network offenses, including soliciting for child prostitution via Web sites that provide dating services. Sixty-six cases involved violations of the Illegal Access Prohibition Law, such as attempted acquisition of weapons similar to those used in violent Internet games.