Data Protection Laws of the World Handbook: Second Edition - Japan

LAW

The Act on the Protection of Personal Information ("APPI") requires business operators who utilize for their business in Japan a personal information database which consists of more than 5,000 individuals in total identified by personal information on any day in the past six months to protect personal information. In addition, various ministries, including the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, the Japan Financial Services Agency and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have created guidelines regarding the APPI. These Guidelines are not laws, but are very persuasive in Japan and generally followed by business operators to which they apply.

DEFINITION OF PERSONAL DATA