185 sections indexed, 22 with our notes. Our index and notes; the law itself is at its source: official text ↗ Official English translation. Our index of this law is not complete yet.

Chapter I General Provisions

Chapter II Responsibilities of the National and the Local Governments

Chapter III, Section 1 Basic Policy on the Protection of Personal Information

Chapter III, Section 2 Measures Taken by the National Government

Chapter III, Section 3 Measures Taken by the Local Government

Chapter III, Section 4 Cooperation between the National and the Local Governments

Chapter IV, Section 1 General Provisions (Obligations of Businesses Handling Personal Information)

Chapter IV, Section 2 Obligations of Businesses Handling Personal Information and Businesses Handling Information Related to Personal Information

Article 18

Restriction Due to Purpose of Use

1
Lawful basis. No list of lawful bases; purpose must be specified and notified, and consent is needed for use beyond purpose and for most third-party provision. Arts. 17, 18, 21, 27
1
Consent. Prior consent required for out-of-purpose use, third-party provision and foreign transfers; form not prescribed, implied consent not generally accepted by PPC guidance. Arts. 18(1), 27(1), 28(1)
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Article 20

Proper Acquisition

2
Sensitive data. Special care-required information (race, creed, medical history, criminal record, etc.) needs prior consent to acquire and cannot be shared by opt-out. Arts. 2(3), 20(2), 27(2)
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Article 21

Notification of a Purpose of Use when Acquiring Personal Information

1
Lawful basis. No list of lawful bases; purpose must be specified and notified, and consent is needed for use beyond purpose and for most third-party provision. Arts. 17, 18, 21, 27
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Article 26

Reporting Leaks

2
Tell the regulator. Report reportable breaches (sensitive data, financial harm, improper purpose, over 1,000 persons) promptly (3-5 days guidance), final report within 30 days, 60 if malicious. Art. 26(1); PPC Enforcement Rules Arts. 7-8 · from a secondary source
3
Tell people. Notify affected individuals of reportable breaches, unless notification is difficult and alternative measures are taken. Art. 26(2) · from a secondary source
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Article 27

Restrictions on Provision of Personal Data to Third Parties

1
Lawful basis. No list of lawful bases; purpose must be specified and notified, and consent is needed for use beyond purpose and for most third-party provision. Arts. 17, 18, 21, 27
1
Consent. Prior consent required for out-of-purpose use, third-party provision and foreign transfers; form not prescribed, implied consent not generally accepted by PPC guidance. Arts. 18(1), 27(1), 28(1)
2
Sensitive data. Special care-required information (race, creed, medical history, criminal record, etc.) needs prior consent to acquire and cannot be shared by opt-out. Arts. 2(3), 20(2), 27(2)
1
Registration. No general registration; businesses using the opt-out route for third-party provision must notify the PPC in advance. Art. 27(2)
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Article 28

Restrictions on the Provision of Personal Data to Third Parties in Foreign Countries

1
Consent. Prior consent required for out-of-purpose use, third-party provision and foreign transfers; form not prescribed, implied consent not generally accepted by PPC guidance. Arts. 18(1), 27(1), 28(1)
2
Transfers abroad. Transfer abroad needs prior consent after information on the destination regime, an adequate country (EU/UK), or a recipient with equivalent systems. Art. 28
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Article 33

Disclosure

2
Rights. Disclosure (access), correction/deletion, cessation of use or erasure, cessation of third-party provision, and disclosure of third-party provision records. Arts. 33, 34, 35
0
Request deadline. Respond 'without delay'; no fixed number of days in the Act. Arts. 33(2), 34(2), 35(3)
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Article 34

Corrections

2
Rights. Disclosure (access), correction/deletion, cessation of use or erasure, cessation of third-party provision, and disclosure of third-party provision records. Arts. 33, 34, 35
0
Request deadline. Respond 'without delay'; no fixed number of days in the Act. Arts. 33(2), 34(2), 35(3)
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Article 35

Ceasing to Use or Deleting Personal Data

2
Rights. Disclosure (access), correction/deletion, cessation of use or erasure, cessation of third-party provision, and disclosure of third-party provision records. Arts. 33, 34, 35
0
Request deadline. Respond 'without delay'; no fixed number of days in the Act. Arts. 33(2), 34(2), 35(3)
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Article 40

Complaint Processing by Businesses Handling Personal Information

1
Children. No statutory age today; PPC Q&A treats roughly 12-15 as needing a guardian. Amendment sets under 16 for guardian consent once in force. Art. 40-2 (as amended by Act No. 56 of 2026, not yet in force) · from a secondary source
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Chapter IV, Section 3 Obligations of Businesses Handling Pseudonymized Personal Information

Chapter IV, Section 4 Obligations of Businesses Handling Anonymized Personal Information

Chapter IV, Section 5 Promoting the Protection of Personal Information in the Private Sector

Chapter IV, Section 6 Miscellaneous Provisions

Chapter V, Section 1 General Provisions (Obligations of Administrative Entities)

Chapter V, Section 2 Handling of Personal or Other Related Information by Administrative Entities

Chapter V, Section 3 Personal Information Files

Chapter V, Section 4, Subsection 1 Disclosure

Chapter V, Section 4, Subsection 2 Correction

Chapter V, Section 4, Subsection 3 Ceasing to Use Personal Information an Administrative Entity Holds

Chapter V, Section 4, Subsection 4 Appeals for Review

Chapter V, Section 4, Subsection 5 Relationships with Local Ordinances

Chapter V, Section 5 Provision of Anonymized Personal Information Administrative Entities Hold

Chapter V, Section 6 Miscellaneous Provisions

Chapter VI, Section 1 Establishment (Personal Information Protection Commission)

Chapter VI, Section 2, Subsection 1 Supervision of Businesses

Chapter VI, Section 2, Subsection 2 Supervision of Certified Personal Information Protection Organizations

Chapter VI, Section 2, Subsection 3 Monitoring of Administrative Entities

Chapter VI, Section 3 Service of Documents

Chapter VI, Section 4 Miscellaneous Provisions

Chapter VII Miscellaneous Provisions

Chapter VIII Penal Provisions

Article 178

Heading to follow

2
Maximum fine. Criminal corporate fine up to JPY 100 million for violating PPC orders or unlawful database provision. Amendment adds revenue-linked administrative surcharges. Arts. 178, 179, 184
2
Criminal liability. Imprisonment up to 1 year for violating PPC orders or providing databases for illicit gain; corporate fines up to JPY 100 million. Arts. 178, 179, 184
Open article 178 in the official text ↗
Article 179

Heading to follow

2
Maximum fine. Criminal corporate fine up to JPY 100 million for violating PPC orders or unlawful database provision. Amendment adds revenue-linked administrative surcharges. Arts. 178, 179, 184
2
Criminal liability. Imprisonment up to 1 year for violating PPC orders or providing databases for illicit gain; corporate fines up to JPY 100 million. Arts. 178, 179, 184
Open article 179 in the official text ↗
Article 184

Heading to follow

2
Maximum fine. Criminal corporate fine up to JPY 100 million for violating PPC orders or unlawful database provision. Amendment adds revenue-linked administrative surcharges. Arts. 178, 179, 184
2
Criminal liability. Imprisonment up to 1 year for violating PPC orders or providing databases for illicit gain; corporate fines up to JPY 100 million. Arts. 178, 179, 184
Open article 184 in the official text ↗

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This index, the topic tags and the notes are ours, scored on the published rubric. Headings marked "our heading" are our descriptions where the source has none. Always read the official text before acting. Not legal advice.

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