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  • Data Protection

Japan: Designation of Large-scale Platform Operators Pursuant to Article 20(1) of the Information Distribution Platform Act

As of May 30, 2025, a total of nine platform operators have been designated “large-scale platform operators” under the Information Distribution Platform Act (as amended, “Act”) in Japan. These providers now are required to implement measures designed to expedite responses to rights infringement information and enhance the transparency of their operations. With further designations under review—and the potential for expansion to the scope of the Act—businesses and stakeholders should remain attentive to future developments that may increase the impact of this Act significantly. The Information Distribution Platform Act—which also includes the renaming of the Provider Liability Limitation Act—took effect on April 1, 2025, in response to rising concerns over illegal and harmful information on the Internet. The amendment seeks to balance victim protection...To read the full article, please see the PDF file​

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Authors

石川 智也

Noriya ISHIKAWA

  • Partner
  • Frankfurt / Düsseldorf

Noriya advises national and international clients from various industries, with a focus on multi-national data protection law projects, such as drafting policy, data transfer agreements and out-sourcing agreements, IT compliance questions, and data breach issues. Since he has experience working with local counsel in more than 80 jurisdictions, he has in depth knowledge of the similarities and differences among data protection laws in many jurisdictions. He can provide his advice taking into account the difference of Japanese laws and other main data protection laws such as the GDPR, CCPA, and PIPL (China).

松下 外

Gai handles a wide variety of IP related disputes including IP infringement litigation and trials as well as non-contentious matters including drafting and reviewing IP related agreements. With an engineering background, Gai has particular expertise in patent related matters but is also adept at handling copyrights, trademarks and trade secrets. 

Gai also advises tech ventures and startups on cutting-edge technological matters involving AI, IoT and data including data privacy. Gai served as a member of the team that drafted the “Contract Guidelines on the Utilization of AI and Data,” Japan’s first comprehensive guidelines on AI and data related contracts published by the Japanese Government in June 2018. His strength in technology related matters is widely acknowledged by clients: “Gai Matsushita is particularly experienced in the technical field while having a deep knowledge of law, he is an excellent lawyer who leads his client in the right direction” (Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2020).

Gai is active in the field of international dispute resolution. Based on his experience working at leading firms in Singapore and New York, Gai has represented clients in several international commercial arbitration cases seated outside of Japan and in arbitration related domestic procedures including applications for provisional dispositions in Japan.

須河内 隆裕

Takahiro provides comprehensive legal advice on intellectual property transactions, primarily assisting Japanese and international clients in the entertainment, media, telecommunications, and IT industries. With deep copyright law expertise and practical experience in the entertainment sector, he offers unique perspectives to his clients. Takahiro’s previous roles at a global record label and the U.S. subsidiary of a major Japanese film studio have equipped him with a nuanced understanding of the entertainment business and its legal complexities. His practice covers a broad spectrum of services, such as advising on digital distribution licenses, joint production agreements, option agreements, artist agreements, and chain-of-title investigations. He is also adept at navigating issues that arise at the intersection of intellectual property rights and emerging technologies. Additionally, Takahiro has experience in resolving disputes related to intellectual property and information law.