Japan Approves Data Privacy Law Allowing AI Access to Sensitive Personal Data

Japan's House of Councillors has passed legislation revising the country's personal information protection law, making it easier for companies to access personal data for artificial intelligence (AI) development, Mainichi Japan reported.

Japan has revised its personal information law to expand access to sensitive data for artificial intelligence research.

Opposition parties opposed the measure, arguing that it does not adequately protect individual privacy.

However, the government declined to amend the bill before its passage.

The revised law creates a special exemption allowing companies to receive "personal information requiring special care"—including medical and criminal records—without obtaining an individual's consent, provided certain legal conditions are met.

The category of sensitive personal information also includes a person's beliefs, religion, race, disabilities, and health examination results.

Under the new law, consent is not required when such information is provided exclusively for generating statistical data used in AI development.

Critics warn that there is a risk that hospitals and other institutions could disclose sensitive personal information—including names and addresses—if adequate safeguards are not enforced.