This second video is part of a series about sustainable business models for smart cities. In this second part, Baker McKenzie’s Yaeko Hodaka and Tsugihiro Okada together with specialists Mr. Yasunori Mochizuki (NEC Fellow), Mr. Akihito Karasawa, (Manager of the Digital Planning Section, Smart City Promotion Department, Digital Strategy & Promotion Bureau of Sapporo City) and Mr. Tadashi Kaji (Senior Chief Researcher of Hitachi, Ltd.’s Research and Development Group) discuss legal issues that need to be taken into account.

Japan’s amended regulations on cookie information will start on 16 June 2023. The amended regulations now capture an even wider range of businesses, such as SNS platforms, various content sharing services, and certain online search tool businesses. It is important to consider whether your business is within the scope of the amended regulations and to take appropriate measures to ensure compliance, such as updating cookie policies or adding appropriate pop-up notices.

On 13 June 2022, the Amendment of the Telecommunications Business Act was enacted. The Amendment includes new regulations for the use of personally identifiable information and other information related to individuals, including cookies. Telecommunication service providers subject to the Amendment will be required to take measures based on the relevant ministerial orders to be enacted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications in the near future.

In June 2022, the Personal Information Protection Commission, which is the regulatory authority for the protection of personal information in Japan, published its 2021 annual report. While the report does not supplement the law in any way, it does provide businesses with useful insights on the PPC’s thinking and position with respect to various types of processing of personal information under Japanese law.