Japan Revises Personal Information Protection Law to Ease AI Data Usage Restrictions for AI Development

Japan's government recently revised the Personal Information Protection Law, removing the requirement for "prior consent" before sharing some personal data. Digital Transformation Minister Sho Matsumoto stated that this move will make Japan one of the easiest countries in the world to develop AI applications. The new rules apply to low-risk data (such as statistical analysis and scientific research purposes), health data can also be included when it helps improve public health, and rules for facial data usage are relaxed (enterprises need to explain usage but don't have to offer mandatory opt-out options).

However, data of minors under 16 still requires parental consent and must meet the "best interests of the minor" standard. If enterprises collect data improperly or use it maliciously, they will face fines equivalent to illegal gains; fraudulently obtaining data will also be punished. If data leakage poses low risk to individuals, institutions do not need to notify affected users. Matsumoto believes current laws hinder AI development, and sufficient data is key to AI development and deployment.