EU Representative for Japanese Companies
GDPR Article 27 compliance guide for Japanese businesses with EU customers. Japan APPI adequacy does not remove EU representative requirement.
For Japanese Businesses
- Japan has EU adequacy decision for APPI — but this does NOT remove Article 27 obligation
- Japanese companies with EU customers still need an EU Representative
- Manufacturing, electronics, and SaaS exporters are most affected
- EU Shield: €490/year, 15-minute setup
Adequacy ≠ Exemption from Article 27
Japan’s Act on Protection of Personal Information (APPI) received an EU adequacy decision in 2019, meaning personal data can flow freely from EU to Japan. However, this adequacy decision relates to data transfer mechanisms (Chapter V of GDPR), NOT to the Article 27 representative requirement. Japanese companies still need an EU Representative if they process EU residents’ data.
Who Needs This
Japanese manufacturers exporting to Europe, electronics companies with EU customers, SaaS/app developers with EU users, and any Japanese business processing EU resident data must comply with Article 27.
3-Step Compliance
- Appoint EU Shield (€490/yr)
- Update Privacy Policy
- Share Article 30 records
Ready to get compliant?
€490/year. 15-minute setup. Active next business day.