抄録
This paper deals with socio-cultural influence on protection of personal data and privacy in Japan and its meanings for Japanese business. The enforcement of the Act for Protection of Personal Data in April 2005 has prompted broad recognition that Japanese firms, which collect, store and use personal data, should enhance their effort in protecting personal data and privacy as a part of development of their social responsibility. However, Japanese socio-cultural characteristics related to the notion of privacy tend to make ordinary Japanese people consider protection of privacy is identical to compliance with the Act. This would distort Japanese firms' ways of approaching protection of personal data and privacy and result in putting Japanese firms as well as Japanese economy in jeopardy in the global business environment.
