Japan's cabinet tightens land-deal rules in security-sensitive zones

Japan's cabinet has passed a draft law that tightens controls on land acquisition and ownership transfers in areas deemed sensitive to national security. The act will label remote, uninhabited border islands and a one-kilometre radius around important installations, such as Self-Defense Forces bases, as restricted zones where any transaction must receive prior approval from the government. Sales to foreign governments, their armed forces, or corporations effectively controlled by them, as well as individuals cooperating with foreign intelligence, will generally be barred.

Unauthorized deals will be void, and offenders face up to three years in prison or fines of up to 3 million yen; the state can also order forced sales or auctions. The measure also introduces on-site inspections by Cabinet Office officials and police, and it is expected to be submitted to the Diet for passage before the session concludes in mid-December.