Japan: Signed UK-Japan CEPA including cross-border data transfer regulation measures

On 23 October 2020, the Agreement for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership (CEPA) between Japan and the UK was signed. Article 8.84 forbids the parties to restrict the cross-border transfer of information by electronic means. Nevertheless, a party is allowed to do so to achieve a "legitimate public policy objective" if such measure does not constitute an arbitrary or unjustifiable discrimination or restriction on trade. The CEPA will enter into force on 1 January 2021.