What is APPI?
The Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI), is Japan’s primary data protection law, designed to safeguard personal data by regulating its collection, use, and management by both public and private entities. The law requires organizations to obtain individuals’ consent before processing their data, take necessary steps to ensure data security, and notify authorities and affected parties in the event of a data breach. APPI also grants individuals the right to access, correct, and delete their personal information, promoting transparency and accountability in data handling practices. Originally enacted in 2003 and significantly amended in 2015, 2020, and 2022, APPI has evolved to align more closely with global standards like the EU’s GDPR.
Who Must Comply with APPI?
APPI applies to both:
- Domestic entities that handle personal information, and
- Foreign entities that offer goods or services to individuals in Japan or collect personal data from Japan-based users.
If your organization processes personal data of individuals located in Japan – even without a physical presence in Japan – you may be subject to APPI.
What is Considered Personal Information under APPI?
APPI defines personal information as information that can identify a specific individual, including:
- Name
- Date of birth
- Contact details
- Passport or driver’s license number
- Online identifiers (e.g., IP addresses, cookies) when they are linked to an individual
Key Principles and Requirements of APPI
- Consent for Data Use
Businesses must obtain prior consent to collect or share personal data, especially for purposes beyond the original scope. - Purpose Limitation
Personal information must only be used for the stated, legitimate purpose at the time of collection. - Data Security
Organizations are required to take necessary and appropriate measures to prevent leakage, loss, or damage of personal data. - Data Subject Rights
Individuals have the right to request access to their data, request correction or deletion, and object to certain types of processing. - Cross-Border Data Transfers
Transfers of personal data outside Japan require adequate data protection in the receiving country or specific consent from the individual. - Data Breach Notification
As of the 2022 amendment, companies must notify both affected individuals and the Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC) in the event of a significant data breach.
How Fasoo Helps Organizations Comply with APPI
Fasoo’s data-centric security solutions provide a strong foundation for APPI compliance by enabling:
- Persistent encryption and access control for personal data
- Granular policy enforcement across documents and user roles
- Comprehensive audit trails and logs to demonstrate accountability
- Dynamic permission control, even after data is shared internally or externally
- Swift breach response capabilities with file-level visibility
With Fasoo Enterprise DRM (FED), organizations can protect personal data at the file level – ensuring access is controlled, usage is tracked, and data remains secure regardless of location.
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