Cabinet approves bill to allow remote access to devices used by criminal groups

The government on Friday approved a bill to amend the law defining police duties to allow officers to remotely access and analyze communications devices linked to criminal activity, aiming to prevent people falling victim to the anonymous and loosely organized criminal groups known as tokuryū. The measure would enable police to identify plans for fraud, robbery and other crimes by obtaining information from targeted devices and use it to prevent offenses. If enacted during the current parliamentary session, the amended law would take effect within six months of its promulgation.