The GDPR for Japanese businesses: what do you need to know and how can you prepare?

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will apply as from 25 May 2018. It will significantly strengthen existing EU data protection rules and impose new obligations. Sanctions for non-compliance will include fines up to the greater of €20m or 4% of the global annual turnover of any infringer. Meanwhile, the EU Commission and the Japanese government are discussing the possible recognition of Japan’s adequacy in relation to its protection of personal data. Such adequacy, if recognised, would greatly facilitate EU-Japan data transfers.

With only a few months left, proper guidance is critical to enable companies to comply in due time. For this purpose, the Belgium-Japan Association & Chamber of Commerce (BJA) and the global law firm Linklaters LLP are jointly organising a seminar with McKinsey aimed at companies with activities in Japan.

 Our Speakers will discuss the following topics:

• Mr Akira Kono (Ambassador, Deputy Head of Mission, the Mission of Japan to the EU) will give the opening remarks.
• Our keynote speaker, Mr Bruno Gencarelli (Head of Unit – International Data Flows and Protection at the European Commission – DG Justice) will highlight the latest developments in the EU-Japan discussion.
• Mr Tanguy Van Overstraeten (Partner and Global Head of Privacy and Data Protection at Linklaters) will explain the legal implications of the GDPR.
• Mr Daniel Mikkelsen (Senior Partner and Global Leader of GDPR Service Line at McKinsey) will address the operational and project management aspects of GDPR implementation plans.

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