In 2001, the “Convention on Cybercrime” was adopted by the Council of Europe. Japan signed it in 2001, and the conclusion was approved by the Diet in April 2004 (not concluded as of the end of July 2007, as its related domestic acts have not yet been enacted).
  Said Convention is the world's first comprehensive convention on measures against cybercrimes, and provides as follows: (1) the Member States shall be required to criminalize certain acts including illegal access to computer systems, illegal interception of computer data, production of computer viruses and distribution of child pornography through computer systems; (2) the Convention requests the Member States to develop procedures for search and seizure of computer data; and (3) the Convention has provisions on international cooperation in criminal investigation and extradition.