Question to the Department for International Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Trade, which UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement data provisions are (a) models for agreements on digital and data with other countries the UK is seeking to negotiate trade or digital deals with and (b) bespoke arrangements for the circumstances of UK-Japan trade.

The UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) seeks to remove unjustified barriers to data flows to ensure trade can flourish. CEPA recognises the importance of data protection by committing both parties to maintain national data protection regimes. The UK-Japan CEPA does not undermine or change the UK’s data protection laws, or provide a legal basis for the transfer of personal data to Japan.

The ability to transfer data across international borders is crucial to a well-functioning economy, alongside wider priorities such as law enforcement and security. The UK will therefore pursue ambitious provisions in future agreements which seek to commit parties to the cross-border free flow of data, consistent with local laws restricting personal data flows.