[Comprehensive understanding] Smartphone “remote analysis” bill Why is it being discussed now?

The National Police Agency plans to introduce a new method (remote analysis) to remotely infiltrate smartphones and other devices used by criminal groups and obtain information as a countermeasure to the increasingly serious crime damage caused by anonymous and mobile criminal groups. A bill to revise the Police Officer Duties Execution Act, which stipulates system procedures, has been approved by the Cabinet and will be debated in the Diet. What are the main points and issues of the bill?

Why is “remote analysis” necessary?

The damage caused by crimes caused by illegal transfers is becoming more serious. The amount of damage caused by special fraud continues to increase, reaching a record high of approximately 325.7 billion yen in 2025 (including SNS-type investment and romance fraud), as well as robberies and murders. As of August this year, the amount of damage caused by special fraud has exceeded 30% more than the same period last year.

In hidden crimes, highly anonymous and confidential apps are used to recruit perpetrators and give instructions for crimes, resulting in a series of incidents. The reality is that it is difficult to identify the instructor or the next ``target'' with the cooperation of telecommunications carriers and the analysis of confiscated smartphones, so the aim is to overcome this hurdle.

The bill stipulates that the purpose of remote analysis is to prevent the spread or occurrence of damage caused by serious crimes, assuming that ``crimes that are likely to endanger human life or body or cause serious damage to property (serious crimes)'' have already been committed.

However, what kind of crime is it?