Japan: Opened Consultation on Drafted Guidelines for Appropriate Settings for Cloud Service Use and Provision

On 25 July 2022, the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications ('MIC') opens the consultation on the draft of the "Guidelines for Appropriate Settings for Cloud Service Use and Provision". The Guidelines intend to tackle the deficiencies from which providers and users of cloud services suffer, above all the risk of information leakage. The Guidelines introduce three main elements to tackle these deficiencies. "(1) Both cloud service users and businesses should be aware of the characteristics of cloud services and the risks involved in using and providing cloud services. (2) Both cloud service users and businesses should understand their own responsibilities and roles, and make them a common understanding. (3) While maintaining close communication between cloud service users and businesses, take appropriate measures to prevent setting deficiencies on both sides". The Ministry is requesting public comments until 25 August 2022.