Yes, dashcams are legal in Japan, but their use is strictly governed by the Road Traffic Act and privacy laws enforced by the National Police Agency and the Personal Information Protection Commission. Recording is permitted for safety and insurance purposes, yet continuous or unauthorized recording risks violating privacy rights under the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI), with potential penalties under the 2026 APPI amendments.
Key Regulations for Dashcams in Japan
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Consent and Privacy: Recording individuals without consent in private spaces (e.g., residential areas) violates APPI; public roads are permissible only if the recording does not infringe on privacy. The 2026 APPI revisions strengthen penalties for non-compliance, including fines up to ¥10 million for corporate violations.
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Data Retention and Sharing: Stored footage must comply with APPI’s data minimization principle; sharing with third parties (e.g., insurers) requires explicit consent unless legally compelled (e.g., police requests). The National Police Agency mandates dashcam data be deleted within 30 days unless part of an active investigation.
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Mounting and Obstruction: Dashcams must not obstruct the driver’s view or violate vehicle safety standards under the Road Traffic Act. The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) prohibits devices that protrude into the driver’s field of vision or interfere with airbag deployment.