国際｜中国製IT機器の排除決定 / International | Decision to Exclude Chinese-made IT Equipment

Summary

The Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications has decided that local governments will only procure IT equipment that has been certified by the government.

This measure aims to strengthen the cybersecurity of organizations that handle personal information, effectively excluding certified products from China. The ministerial ordinance will be revised in June, and implementation is scheduled to begin next summer. The goal is to reduce the risks of cyberattacks and information leaks.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Log: Chako, I heard in the news recently that local governments are removing IT equipment made in China. What do you think about that?
Chako: Really? That’s impressive! But why are they doing that?
Log: It’s to protect personal information security. Products from China are considered to have a high risk of cyberattacks, so they’ve decided to use only government-approved products.
Navi: Just to add, the aim of the government’s certification system is to create a secure environment for local governments to handle information by eliminating risky products.
Chako: I see! That definitely makes me feel safer! But what about products from other countries?

Admin’s Note

This news seems to indicate that the government is taking a proactive stance in light of the increasing importance of cybersecurity. Particularly because local governments handle a significant amount of personal information, it is only natural that safety measures are required. There may be differing opinions, as suggested by Chako’s question, about how products are managed differently in various countries, but these measures might be necessary to protect the public’s peace of mind. I look forward to seeing how this develops.