Act on the Use of Numbers to Identify a Specific Individual in Administrative Procedures

To the extent necessary for the enforcement of this Act, the Commission may give necessary guidance and advice regarding the handling of Specific Personal Information to a Person in Charge of a Process Using an Individual Number, etc.

If an act violating the provisions of laws and regulations related to the handling of Specific Personal Information is performed and the Commission finds it necessary to ensure the appropriate handling of Specific Personal Information, it may fix time limit and recommend that the person who performed said violation cease the violation and take other necessary measures to correct the violation.

If the person who receives the recommendation under the preceding paragraph does not, without justifiable grounds, take the measures recommended, the Commission may fix a time limit and order the person to take the measures recommended.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs, if an act violating the provisions of laws and regulations related to the handling of Specific Personal Information is performed and, due to a serious infringement of the rights and interests of individuals, the Commission finds it necessary to take emergency measures, it may fix a time limit and order the person who performed said violation to cease it and take other necessary measures to correct it.

To the extent necessary for the enforcement of this Act, the Commission may request the persons handling Specific Personal Information and other persons concerned to make the necessary reports or submit materials regarding the handling of Specific Personal Information, or have its officials enter the office of the person handling said Specific Personal Information or of persons concerned or enter other necessary places and ask questions related to the handling of Specific Personal Information or inspect books, documents and other items.

The officials who conduct on-site inspections pursuant to the preceding paragraph must carry an identification card and, if requested by persons concerned, present it to them.

The authority to conduct on-site inspections under the provisions of paragraph (1) must not be construed as being vested with the authority for criminal investigation.

The provisions of the preceding three Articles do not apply to the handling of Specific Personal Information in which the Specific Personal Information is provided, received or obtained if a House Examination, etc. is conducted or in cases, from among the cases specified by the Cabinet Order set forth in Article 19, item (xv) of this Act, where procedures provided for by Cabinet Order as being equivalent to a House Examination, etc. are conducted.

The Commission may request that the Prime Minister and the other heads of the administrative organs concerned secure cost reduction and other improvements in the rationality and the efficiency, regarding, the construction, maintenance, and management of the Information Providing Network System and other information systems that are used in the handling of Individual Numbers and other Specific Personal Information, and take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and reliability of the function of said systems.

If the Commission, pursuant to the provisions of the preceding paragraph, requests the implementation of the measures under said paragraph, it may also request that the heads of the Administrative Organs under said paragraph report the status of implementation of the measures.

The Commission may express opinions about the improvement of the measures related to the protection of Specific Personal Information, obtained during the implementation of the functions under the jurisdiction, to the Prime Minister.