Discussion on International Privacy Laws Held at the Second Japan Privacy Forum
The Second Annual Japan Privacy Symposium 2024 Explores APAC Data Protection Trends
The Foundation for Privacy and Access (FPF), a global non-profit organization, hosted the Second Annual Japan Privacy Symposium 2024 in collaboration with the Japanese privacy community and global regulators. The event, held at the Ritz-Carlton in Tokyo, Japan, focused on regulatory priorities and emerging trends in data protection across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
The symposium, which took place on the sidelines of the 62nd Asia-Pacific Privacy Authorities (APPA) Forum, attracted diverse privacy leaders who gathered to explore pressing APAC regulatory trends. Keynote speakers and panels addressed cross-border data transfers, generative AI governance, and evolving privacy regulatory frameworks in the region, particularly spotlighting Japan and Australia’s recent legislative developments.
During the symposium, FPF highlighted upcoming regulatory priorities for APAC data protection authorities. These included the implementation of new transparency and enforcement powers, such as Australia's Privacy Act amendments which introduce transparency requirements for automated decision-making, revised cross-border data transfer mechanisms, expanded enforcement authority, and statutory torts for serious privacy invasions.
Japan’s AI Promotion Act, framed as an "innovation-first" blueprint balancing R&D incentives with privacy considerations for AI technologies, also featured prominently. The discussions emphasized the role of regulators and tech companies in fostering digital trust and aligning AI deployment with societal expectations.
The event also included sessions on privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs) that support compliance with APAC regulatory standards. These included homomorphic encryption for cross-border fraud detection and differential privacy techniques for lawful data deletion and analytics.
Commissioner OHSHIMA Shuhei opened the event with a keynote speech, and panel discussions featured speakers such as Philippe Dufresne, Commissioner, Office of the Privacy Commissioner, Canada; Ashkan Soltani, Executive Director, California Privacy Protection Agency; Nazri Kama, Commissioner, Personal Data Protection Department of Malaysia; Thienchai Na Nakorn, Chairman, Personal Data Protection Committee, Thailand; and Josh Lee Kok Thong, Managing Director for APAC, FPF.
The symposium provided a valuable forum for commissioners from around the globe to share their perspectives with privacy leaders and community members. FPF believes technology and data can benefit society and improve lives with the right laws, policies, and rules. The organization brings together academics, civil society, government officials, and industry to identify risks and develop appropriate protections for data.
FPF is grateful for the partnership and support from the Personal Information Protection Commission of Japan, the Japan DPO Association, S&K Brussels LPC, and Senior Fellow Kaori Inui. To learn more about the event and related discussions, visit FPF's blog or follow FPF on X and LinkedIn. For any questions, please contact media@FPF's website.
- The Second Annual Japan Privacy Symposium 2024, a global event organized by the Foundation for Privacy and Access (FPF), discussed regulatory trends and data protection issues within the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, including the implementation of new transparency and enforcement powers in technologies like AI.
- During the symposium, commissioners from various countries shared their insights on data policies and enforcement measures, highlighting recent legislative developments in Japan and Australia.
- The event showcased the importance of technology, specifically privacy-enhancing technologies (PETs), in complying with APAC regulatory standards, with sessions on homomorphic encryption and differential privacy techniques.
- Emphasizing the significance of data privacy in technology education-and-self-development, FPF, through partnership with organizations like the Personal Information Protection Commission of Japan, aims to bring together different sectors to develop appropriate data protections.
