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Japan's controversial Special Secrecy Law took effect on Wednesday, with 55 categories of information over diplomacy, defense, anti-terrorism and counterespionage being defined as state secrets, amid strong public opposition.
Chiefs of 19 government ministries and agencies have the right to designate state secrets information and the initial five-year- designation period for a state secret can be extended for up to 30 years, under the new law.
But state secrets can remain classified for a maximum 60 years if approved by the Cabinet for security reasons, according to Kyodo News.
Leakers may face up to 10 years in prison, and those who instigate leaks, including journalists, will be subject to a prison term of up to five years, according to the law.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said the law will promote exchanges of sensitive information between Japan and other countries and forge close ties.
A recent Kyodo News survey covering the 19 government offices showed the number of state secrets will likely be around 460,000.
To ease public concerns that argued the definition of such secrets is vague and the absence of an independent checking mechanism, the government also approved guidelines on the handling of state secrets.
The guidelines will keep "the minimum amount of information as secrets for the shortest period of time possible" as the public's right to know should be "greatly respected" in a democratic society, Kyodo cited the government as saying.
On Wednesday, hundreds of demonstrators gathered in front of the prime minister's office, saying their right to know is under threat. Hundreds of students also rallied Tuesday night protesting the law.
The Japanese Newspaper Publishers and Editors Association on Monday submitted a memorandum to Japanese Justice Minister Yoko Kamikawa, demanding for the rational use of secrecy law.
The press lobby pointed out that the sentence to the people " who leak state secrets" is too heavy, which may let the public servants fall into appalling silence. Legitimate reporting activities of news organizations would also be damaged.
