On Monday 29 April, the EU Council adopted the decision to include provisions on cross-border data flows in the Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Japan (see EUROPE 13396/21). Parliament gave its approval at the plenary session on 31 March.
In line with the details of the protocol, data localisation requirements, such as local physical storage, will be removed.
This agreement should also enable businesses to process data more efficiently without cumbersome administrative or storage requirements, and will provide them with a predictable legal framework.
At the same time, the protocol guarantees that the rules for protecting the personal data and privacy of EU and Japanese citizens will be fully respected.
Once the agreement has been ratified by Japan and both parties have notified each other of the completion of their internal procedures, the protocol can enter into force. (Original version in French by Isalia Stieffatre)