Cross-border data transfers affect all organizations that engage online IT services, cloud-based services, remote access services and global HR databases. Understanding the applications of lawful data transfer mechanisms is essential to validate recipients located outside Japan.
In Japan, the Amended Act on the Protection of Personal Information (2016) outlines that personal data is allowed to be transferred outside Japan when:
Before transferring sensitive personal information, described as “special care-required personal information” in the Act, to a third party inside or outside Japan, you must request consent with limited exceptions (such as when the data collection is required by law). For additional details, see the Employee Consent section.
The Japanese national identification number, My Number), should typically remain with the Japanese entity. Generally, the employer is prohibited from transferring employee (and other data subject’s) My Number data to third-parties, including group companies, even with employee consent. The exception to this is when a Japanese entity delegates the handling of My Number data to a vendor for the statutory purposes of tax, social insurance and assistance in natural disasters.
HR Best Practices: Update consent forms to include details about international data transfers, unless the foreign country has been recognized by the Commission as having equal protection of individual rights. Japan and the European Union have an agreement in place that allows most personal data transfers between Japan and EU member countries (i.e. these countries are considered as having “adequate” personal data protection regulations and practices).
Alternatively, consider establishing a personal data management process and security standard that meets the standards prescribed by the Commission. Some companies rely on the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Cross Border Privacy Rules (CBPR) to transfer data outside of Japan.1
1 Gardner, Stephen. 2017. "Moving Data Between Japan, U.S.? Use Asia Privacy Rules System." The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc. September 27. Accessed January 24, 2017. https://www.bna.com/moving-data-japan-n73014470193.
