4. Personal Data Protection Law of the national government and personal data protection measures of local governments
When examining the relationship between national government and local governments on protection of personal data, the interpretation of Article 26 of the "Law Concerning Computer Processed Personal Data held by Administrative Organizations" (Law No.95, 1988) (referred to hereafter as the Protection law) is very important.
The article stipulating the obligations of local governments is as follows.
"Local governments must pay attention to the measures taken by the national government based on the stipulations of this Law. They must also make every effort to decide and implement the necessary measures to ensure appropriate handling of personal data when engaged in processing of personal data by computer."
The explanation of the purpose of this stipulation published by the Local