An owner of a small company produces digital manga in the United States, but it has also become very popular in Japan. Which privacy law should the owner comply with to set up an operation in Japan?

In the context of setting up operations in Japan and ensuring compliance with privacy laws, the most relevant legislation is the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI). This law is specifically designed to protect personal information in Japan and applies to businesses that collect or handle personal data, including those based outside Japan that target Japanese consumers.

APPI establishes guidelines on how personal data should be collected, used, stored, and shared, ensuring that individuals' privacy rights are respected. For a small company producing digital manga that has garnered interest in Japan, complying with the APPI is crucial. It ensures that the company observes local regulations regarding personal data and can build trust with its Japanese audience.

Contrastingly, while HIPAA pertains to the protection of health information in the United States, it is not applicable to a business focused on digital manga. The PDPA, primarily associated with Singapore, and GDPR, which regulates personal data in the European Union, also would not be relevant for the operations in Japan. Thus, for a company operating in Japan, adhering to the requirements set out by the APPI is essential for compliance and successful business activities within that jurisdiction.