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Personal Information Protection |
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As the utilization of IT becomes more widespread, so does the importance of protecting personal information.
Currently, various businesses store our personal information in the form of a customer database. Accumulation, distribution, and revision of data can now be easily accomplished due to advancements in information processing technology. Additionally, such data can be spread throughout the world in a matter of seconds through the internet. If the data is properly used, the data will serve as a powerful tool for sales and marketing. However, if the data is not properly secured, it has the potential to leak out and be misused. Unfortunately, leakage of secured personal data has already happened in several instances.
Even if the leakage of data did not cause any particular damages to the data owners, most people feel insecure and uncomfortable about how their personal data is being used or stored. As a result, many people feel comfortable using the internet, but feel uncomfortable using e-commerce services. This uncertainty of personal data security is forming a major barrier for many people to participate in e-commerce. Ever since the operation of the Basic Resident Register Network started in 2002, people’s concern towards the protection of personal information is growing.
The Personalized Information Protection Law, which came into force on April 1st, 2005, requires proper and secure management of personal information by businesses. |
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Contact / Information Economy Division +83-3-3501-0397 |
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| Activities by METI |
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| Guidelines |
| Authorized Personal Information Protection Organization |
| Privacy Mark System |
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| Guidelines |
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| METI has established “Guidelines for Personal Information Protection Laws Concerning Fields of Economy and Industry,” which summarize the ways that personal information protection laws should be applied on the sectors that METI oversees. The guidelines use specific examples to explain what businesses should do to protect personal information. |
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| Authorized Personal Information Protection Organizations |
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| In order for the basic principles of Personal Information Protection Laws to work, each holder of personal information must voluntary act to secure the information, and ensure its proper handling. This process should be handled with the support of private organizations, which understand the actual business procedures. The government is responsible for the certification of these Authorized Personal Information Organizations, which in turn assists businesses. Since this is a very important process, regulations concerning Authorized Personal Information Organizations are contained within the Personal Information Protection Laws. |
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| Privacy Mark System |
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| The Privacy Mark System, which started in April of 1998, is a system permitting the use of a logo called “Privacy Mark” for businesses that properly secure and manage personal information. The Japan Information Processing Development Corporation (JIPDEC) and organizations specified by JIPDEC are responsible for the assessment and authorization of whether or not a business properly secures the personal information. |
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Personal Information Protection Laws |
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| For clauses of Personal Information Protection Laws, please refer to the following (Cabinet Office Home Page) |
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Please install Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 4.05 or later) to view PDF files. |
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LINK >> 
