Japan
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Privacy Pulse
Notable privacy and internet-freedom events from the past four years, most recent first. Tap any entry for more.
Japan Launches My Number Card Integration with Health Insurance
Japan formally phased out traditional health insurance cards in favor of the My Number digital ID card, despite public protests over privacy concerns and data mismatches.
Japan Proposes Active Cyber Defense Legislation
The Japanese government moved to introduce 'active cyber defense' legislation allowing pre-emptive actions against foreign cyber threats and expanding monitoring powers in coordination with telecom providers.
Japan Enacts Economic Security Clearance Law
Japan's Diet enacted a security clearance law creating a framework for vetting government workers and private sector personnel handling sensitive economic security information.
Japan Orders LINE Yahoo to Cut Its Dependence on Naver
Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications issued unprecedented administrative guidance directing LINE Yahoo to overhaul its security governance and review the capital relationship that left it substantially controlled by Korea's Naver, after breaches traced to Naver Cloud; a second guidance followed in April 2024.
LINE Yahoo Data Breach Disclosed
LINE Yahoo disclosed a breach exposing data of approximately 440,000 users via a compromised third-party contractor, leading to a Japanese government administrative guidance order in 2024.
My Number Card Data Errors Spark Scandal
Japan's government disclosed widespread errors in the My Number digital ID system, including health insurance records and public benefit bank accounts linked to the wrong individuals; Digital Minister Taro Kono returned three months of his ministerial salary in August 2023 but refused to resign.
Japan's Amended APPI Takes Effect
Japan's amended Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI) took effect, strengthening breach reporting, extraterritorial scope, and individual rights in alignment with GDPR-like standards.
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