By Sachiko Sakamaki (June 26, 2026, 02:16 GMT | Comment) — An unusually heated parliamentary debate is underway over Japan’s data protection law, highlighting growing political divisions over the balance between protecting privacy and using personal data to support the development of artificial intelligence. The debate centers on proposals to exempt the use of sensitive personal information for statistical purposes from consent requirements, drawing criticism from opposition politicians who say stronger safeguards are needed to prevent misuse. While this criticism is unlikely to change the current draft, it could have a more significant impact on shaping Japan’s long-term debate over data protection. An unusually heated parliamentary debate is underway in Japan over a controversial proposal to exempt the use of sensitive personal information for statistical purposes from consent requirements, underscoring the growing political divide over how to balance privacy protections with the development of artificial intelligence.
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