On June 16, 2025, the Graduate School of Law at Nagoya University was privileged of hosting professor Nari Lee from Hanken School of Economics (Finland), where she delivered a special lecture on “Commercially Valuable Data at the Crossroads of Property, Contract or the ‘Other’: A Comparative Study of Digital Data Regulations in the European Union (“EU”) and Japan?”

Professor Lee began her presentation by outlining the essential characteristics of usable and valuable data within a functional data market where these data can be effectively collected, securely stored and efficiently managed. The speaker further elaborated that a well-functioning data market, in turn, relies on four foundational conditions, namely technical exchange, legal entitlement, regulatory compliance, and international considerations. She then explained how these requirements are addressed within the legal frameworks of the EU, namely General Data Protection Regulation and Data Act, and Japan`s Act on the Protection of Personal Information, as well as through the EU–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.

Then professor Lee emphasized the role of private international law in resolving legal uncertainties arising from cross-border conduct and use of data, particularly in determining jurisdiction and applicable law. She highlighted how characterization of disputes can also vary across jurisdictions, for example, whether they are public or private, contractual or non-contractual, or related to intellectual property, or competition law.

The lecture concluded with active audience participation, highlighting the global significance of harmonizing data laws in an increasingly interconnected world.

This special lecture series are part of the “Lawyer Training Program for Globalization,” funded by a donation from the Shinnippon-Hoki Foundation.