CevroJapan: Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) and what it requires
Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI): an established law with an active enforcement record. Overseen by Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC).
Key requirements at a glance
| Registration with the regulator | Not required |
|---|---|
| Data protection officer | Not required |
| Breach notification | No fixed hourly deadline in our reference |
| Cross-border transfer restrictions | Depends on thresholds or circumstances |
| Data localization | Not required |
Penalties and enforcement
Administrative orders and fines for non-compliance.
What to know in practice
Relatively mature, business-friendly regime with mandatory breach reporting and adequacy/SCC-based cross-border transfer.
How Cevro helps
- Maps Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) to the rest of your compliance program, so evidence collected for SOC 2 or ISO 27001 also counts here where it overlaps.
- Gives every failing control a specific fix and a way to re-check it.
Frequently asked questions
Who regulates data protection in Japan?
Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC) oversees Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI).
Is breach notification mandatory under Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI)?
Our reference does not record a fixed hourly deadline for Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI). Check the statute and Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC) guidance for the notification timing that applies to you.
Does Japan restrict cross-border data transfers?
Conditionally. Transfers are restricted in some circumstances, so check whether your data flows trigger the rules before relying on them.
Do you need a data protection officer under Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI)?
It is not a general requirement in our reference, though naming an accountable person is still good practice.
What are the penalties for non-compliance in Japan?
Administrative orders and fines for non-compliance.