Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI)
Complete compliance guide for companies with <200 employees. Everything you need to know about APPI requirements, deadlines, and penalties.
30 calendar days
JPY 100,000,000/violation
Up to JPY 100 million for organizations violating PPC orders (2022 amendments). Individuals face up to 1 year imprisonment or JPY 500,000 fine for unauthorized data provision. Japan has an EU adequacy decision, enabling smooth cross-border data flows with the EU.
No threshold
$6,000 – $22,000
6-16 weeks
Mid-Market Compliance Guide
APPI requires response 'without delay' rather than a fixed statutory deadline — guidance suggests 30 days as reasonable. The 2022 amendments significantly expanded individual rights and increased penalties. Japan holds an EU adequacy decision, simplifying EU-Japan data transfers.
Key Requirements
- Specify purpose of use and notify or publicize it
- Obtain consent for third-party data provision
- Implement security control measures
- Supervise employees and data processors
- Report data breaches to PPC and notify affected individuals
- Respond to disclosure and correction requests without delay
Consumer Rights
Business Obligations
- 1.Respond to disclosure requests without delay
- 2.Maintain third-party provision records for 3 years
- 3.Report breaches affecting 1,000+ individuals to PPC
- 4.Obtain opt-in consent for cross-border transfers
- 5.Review and update privacy practices every 3 years
Exemptions
- •Press organizations for journalism purposes
- •Academic research institutions
- •Religious organizations for religious activities
- •Political organizations for political activities
Related Privacy Laws
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Disclaimer: This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for your specific situation. Laws and regulations may change. Last reviewed: 3/27/2026.