Japan

「個人情報保護法 いわゆる3年ごと見直しの制度改正方針」（令和8年1月9日）の解説

TMI Associates | Local Language | AcademicThink | Jan. 14, 2026 | Privacy

The Personal Information Protection Commission has published a policy outlining systematic amendments to the Personal Information Protection Law, as part of a mandated review every three years. This policy, issued on January 9, 2026, follows extensive discussions and public consultation and aims for the early submission of an amendment bill to the 2026 ordinary Diet session scheduled from January 23 to June 21.

The policy defines four key pillars for the amendment: promoting appropriate data utilization, implementing rules to address risks, preventing improper use, and ensuring effective compliance. It specifies amendment approaches for 12 key areas including exemptions from consent for statistical data use, relaxation of consent acquisition requirements, tightening regulations for children’s personal information, and establishing specific rules for facial-feature and biometric data.

Among the substantial changes are provisions to exempt consent for third-party provision of data used solely for statistical purposes, including AI development, and to relax the conditions under which consent is required, such as when data handling is not against an individual's intent or where consent is difficult to obtain for health and safety-related uses. The policy also codifies stricter protections for personal information of children under 16 by mandating consent from statutory agents and prioritizing the best interests of minors.

The policy introduces new, specific regulations for biometric data like facial-feature data, including notice requirements and restrictions on third-party provision. It proposes strengthening obligations on contracted service providers handling personal data, including limiting their use of data beyond contracted tasks and enhancing safety management requirements. Notification obligations to data subjects in the event of data leaks may be relaxed when risks are minimal.

The policy seeks to extend prohibitions on improper use and illicit acquisition to personal-related information enabling targeted approaches to individuals, such as telephone numbers and email addresses. It plans to mandate verification of recipient identities and usage purposes when providing data under opt-out arrangements to combat illicit "dark lists."

To increase regulatory effectiveness, the policy aims to grant more flexibility in issuing urgent orders and recommendations, expand statutory measures to involve third parties who facilitate violations, and enhance criminal penalties to include acts done with intent to harm and unauthorized acquisition of data. Finally, a new surcharge system is proposed to impose monetary penalties equivalent to profits gained from serious violations involving large-scale personal data misuse, subject to specific application conditions such as scale and degree of harm.

These amendments reflect a comprehensive update intended to adapt Japan’s Personal Information Protection Law to advancements in technology, data utilization needs, and evolving privacy risks, with an expected enactment within 2026.

首相、就任後初の地元・奈良入り 安倍氏慰霊「重責担い決意新た」

Tokyo Shimbun | Local Language | News | Jan. 14, 2026 | UndeterminedPolitics and Elections

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi visited her hometown of Nara on January 12, marking her first visit since taking office. During her visit, she paid tribute to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe by offering flowers at the "Ryūkonhi" memorial monument where Abe was assassinated. She honored Abe's dedication to Japan's honor and economic strength and expressed renewed determination to lead the country responsibly.

On January 13, Prime Minister Takaichi planned to hold a summit meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Nara City. She emphasized the significance of Japan-Korea cultural exchanges and expressed hope that their leadership meetings, described as "shuttle diplomacy," would advance a forward-looking bilateral relationship.

Amid speculation about dissolving the House of Representatives at the start of the ordinary Diet session on January 23, Takaichi refrained from answering press questions regarding dissolution during this three-day period. During her Nara visit, she also paid respects at her parents' graves, stopped by her home, and was greeted by a crowd at the cemetery entrance.

Additional political context includes the recent re-election of Maebashi Mayor Akira Ogawa amid controversy, upcoming Japan-US defense minister talks focused on China and Asia, and disclosures concerning public secretaries holding concurrent jobs with lawmakers. Meanwhile, ruling and opposition parties are accelerating preparations ahead of the February House of Representatives election, with Prime Minister Takaichi instructing candidate selection operations.

米住宅着工・許可件数（25年10月）－着工件数（前月比）は124.6万件と市場予想の133.0万件を下回り、20年5月以来の水準

NLI Research Institute | Local Language | AcademicThink | Jan. 14, 2026 | UndeterminedReal Estate

In October 2025, U.S. housing starts (seasonally adjusted annual rate) declined to 1.246 million, falling short of the market expectation of 1.330 million. This figure represents the lowest level of housing starts since May 2020, highlighting ongoing weakness in new construction activity. The previous month's housing starts were 1.306 million, indicating a month-on-month decrease.

Conversely, housing building permits, considered a leading indicator, slightly decreased to 1.412 million from 1.415 million in the prior month but surpassed market expectations of 1.350 million. The persistent weakness in housing starts is mainly attributed to a decline in multifamily housing units.

Supporting reports indicate that while the U.S. economy showed strong GDP growth in Q3 2025 and recent monetary policy eased slightly, the housing market remains sluggish with elevated mortgage rates dampening a quick recovery in new home construction.