Laws and data licensing
Japan: privacy laws and AI data licensing
Short answer
If your records include people in Japan, the main rules are: APPI.
In short
- Country
- Japan
- Main privacy laws
- APPI.
- Note
- Has distinct pseudonymous and anonymous data categories.
- Last reviewed
- 2026-10-09
- 01Your work records
- 02Personal details removed
- 03You approve the release
- 04Licensed to AI developers
What to know#
Has distinct pseudonymous and anonymous data categories.
For suppliers#
- SourceX works with businesses in the U.S., Canada, the EU, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, South Africa, Latin America, the UAE and Saudi Arabia; businesses based in Japan aren't covered yet, but their customers can appear in covered companies' records
- Records tied to other countries are reviewed against their rules or excluded
- Personal details are removed before anything is shared
Frequently asked questions
Which privacy laws apply to records about people in Japan?
APPI. Has distinct pseudonymous and anonymous data categories.
Can a company based in Japan license its data through SourceX?
Not yet. SourceX prioritizes companies in the U.S. and also works with companies in Canada and the EU, and with companies in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, India, Singapore, South Africa, Latin America, the UAE and Saudi Arabia when at least 90% of their data is in English. Companies based elsewhere can still apply and are contacted when their region opens.
Can a U.S. business license records that include customers in Japan?
Records tied to Japan are reviewed against its rules or excluded from the license, and personal details are removed before anything is shared.
What happens to records that cannot be cleared?
Records that can't be cleared under the rules that apply are excluded, and the company approves every release before data moves.
General information, not legal advice. Laws change and their application depends on your facts. SourceX assesses which rules apply deal by deal with your counsel. Last reviewed 2026-10-09.