Various types of computers and computer networks have become indispensable social infrastructures for our daily lives. Along with this, offenses that are committed by using computer networks have been diversified, and it has become increasingly necessary to take various measures against such offenses and to maintain order regarding telecommunication accordingly.
  Under such circumstances, various legislative measures have been taken so far: the Law against Child Prostitution and Pornography (Law No. 52 of 1999) and the Unauthorized Computer Access Law (Law No. 128 of 1999) were enacted; in order to regulate acts of illegally obtaining credit card data or counterfeiting such cards, the partial amendment was made to the Penal Code to newly establish the offense involving electromagnetic records in payment cards (Law No. 97 of 2001).
  Since the use of computer networks makes it easy to commit crimes across national borders, various measures should be taken on a global scale to fight against high-technology related offenses. On November 8, 2001, the Convention on Cybercrime was adopted by the Council of Europe as the first international comprehensive convention against computer crimes. Japan signed the convention at the signing ceremony on November 23, 2001.