On Wednesday 23 January, the European Commission adopted its data protection adequacy decision with Japan.
The decision - which will create “the world's largest area of safe data flows” - provides for mutual recognition of an equivalent level of data protection by the EU and Japan, the European Commissioner for Justice, Věra Jourová, recalled at a press conference.
The conclusion of negotiations between the EU and Japan on the transfer of personal data was announced at the end of July, just before the Strategic Partnership and Economic Partnership Agreements were signed in Tokyo (see EUROPE 12064). The Commission launched the adoption procedure at the beginning of September (see EUROPE 12089) and the European Parliament delivered its opinion at the end of December (see EUROPE 12159).
The Japan Business Council in Europe (JBCE) commends the strong signal that the decision sends, namely that international trade and data protection rules should and can be developed in tandem to stimulate investment, innovation and partnerships.
The adequacy decision takes effect on Wednesday. The Japanese authorities also adopted their adequacy decision on the same day. A first joint review of the decision will take place in two years' time to check whether data protection is still adequate. Further reviews will then take place at least every four years. (Original version in French by Marion Fontana)