Zoom’s encryption keys were reportedly distributed through servers in China, while Chinese-made surveillance cameras widely used in Japan have raised serious concerns about information leakage.
Examining the United States’ exclusion of Hikvision products and the penetration of Chinese communications equipment into Japanese companies and homes, this dialogue explains why decoupling from China is essential in the age of remote access.

June 27, 2020
“Excluding China” is essential precisely because this is the age of remote access……although, since it is the Diet, it would not be such a serious matter even if the information leaked.
Is Zoom made in China?
The following is taken from pages 133–149 of The Coronavirus Great Depression: The World Excludes China, by Masahiro Miyazaki and Tetsuya Watanabe, published on May 1.
All emphasis within the text, apart from the heading, is mine.
The preceding passage is omitted.
Watanabe
However, Zoom also has problems.
Its encryption keys have reportedly been distributed through servers in China, raising concerns about the leakage of confidential information.
“Excluding China” Precisely Because This Is the Age of Remote Access
Takahashi
Well, since it is the Diet, it would not be such a serious matter even if the information leaked.
Is Zoom made in China?
Watanabe
It is technically an American company, but its founder is a Chinese-born American of Chinese descent.
Takahashi
In that case, it certainly raises concerns.
I have both wired and wireless LAN networks installed in my home, and until recently I also had several security cameras.
However, when I read the instruction manuals, I discovered that the servers used by all of the security cameras were located in China.
That astonished me.
Once I learned that, I removed all the security cameras.
They were inexpensive Chinese-made security cameras.
Watanabe
The United States subjected Hikvision, China’s largest surveillance-camera manufacturer, to restrictions under the National Defense Authorization Act.
It also placed the company on the Entity List, or EL, which prohibits transactions with American companies, and imposed export restrictions.
In other words, the United States made it impossible for Hikvision products to be used within the country.
However, a considerable number of Japanese companies also use Hikvision security cameras.
Moreover, many products carry the names of other manufacturers but are actually made by Hikvision through ODM arrangements, in which products are designed and manufactured for sale under another company’s brand.
Takahashi
I am sure there are many such products.
They are fairly inexpensive, and their performance is reasonably good.
That makes people want to use them for convenience.
However, because of the risk of information leakage, I stopped using them altogether.
The thought that security cameras inside and outside my home might have captured me in an unguarded or embarrassing state, and that those images might be stored on servers in China, sends a chill down my spine.
Watanabe
One Japanese telecommunications company also carried out a thorough investigation because it was involved in work connected with the United States government.
It reportedly discovered that only five Hikvision products had been installed and replaced all of them.
Companies that have business relationships with firms appearing on the Entity List may also become unable to conduct business with American companies.
On the other hand, some companies knowingly and deliberately install Hikvision products.
Takahashi
They probably installed them because they were inexpensive.
However, after experiencing the present novel coronavirus crisis, people will surely begin to recognize the need to decouple, or separate, themselves from China.
To be continued.