Board on Postal Data Use for Public Requests to Convene
Overview
Starting in October 2026, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications will convene the Board on Postal Data Use for Public Requests to obtain expert advice on using data held or collected by post offices in response to public requests. The board will consider revising the commentary to the Postal Business Guidelines, advising on the practical operation of data provision to public institutions and other bodies, and other matters. Leading up to this, from October 2021 through April 2026, the ministry held related meetings to consider ways to promote the use of postal data while ensuring the proper handling of confidential communications and personal information.
Key points
- A board will be convened to obtain expert advice on using postal data in response to public requests.
- Topics include revising the commentary to the Postal Business Guidelines, advising on the practical operation of data provision to public institutions and other bodies, and other matters.
- The board will convene starting in October 2026.
Overview
To promote effective use of postal data while ensuring the proper handling of the confidentiality of communications, secrets of others learned in connection with postal items, and personal information, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications held the Study Group on the Use of Postal Data and Privacy Protection from October 2021 through July 2022, and the Postal Data Use Advisory Board from December 2022 through April 2026. Both meetings considered basic principles for data use and initiatives by the Japan Post Group, and revised the commentary to the Postal Business Guidelines.
The purpose of this board is to obtain advice on principles and practical operations concerning the relationship between data use in response to public requests and the proper handling of confidential communications, secrets of others learned in connection with postal items, and personal information.
Details
Topics include revising the commentary to the Postal Business Guidelines in light of new public requests.
The board will consider advice on the practical operation of data provision to public institutions and other bodies, as provided for in the commentary to the Postal Business Guidelines, in cases involving vacant homes, disasters, taxes, and inquiries from bar associations. Other matters are also covered. The members and other details are provided in the attached document.