No. Doxxing is illegal in Japan under multiple statutes, including the Penal Code and the Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI). Unauthorized disclosure of private data may trigger criminal liability, with penalties up to one year imprisonment or fines. The 2026 amendments to the APPI expand protections for digital identifiers, tightening enforcement against online harassment.
Key Regulations for Doxxing in Japan
- Penal Code Article 230-2: Prohibits the public disclosure of private information to harm reputation, punishable by imprisonment or fines. Courts have applied this to doxxing cases involving leaked addresses or financial data.
- Act on the Protection of Personal Information (APPI): Mandates strict controls on personal data handling. The 2026 revisions introduce stricter penalties for unauthorized sharing of biometric or location data, enforced by the Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC).
- Telecommunications Business Act (Article 4): Criminalizes the use of telecommunications to disseminate private information with intent to harass, with penalties up to two years imprisonment. ISPs must comply with PPC directives to remove doxxing content within 48 hours of notification.