Japan’s parliament enacts new economic security clearance bill

Parliament on Friday enacted a bill to introduce a security clearance system that grants certain individuals access to important information related to economic security.

The bill was approved by a majority vote at a plenary meeting of the Upper House with support mainly from the Liberal Democratic Party and its junior coalition partner Komeito, and the main opposition Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan. The bill passed the Lower House last month.

Under the new law on the protection and use of sensitive economic security information, those who leak important economic security information will face penalties, such as a prison sentence of up to five years.