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Japan DPO Association Announces Privacy Gold Examination

The Japan DPO Association is excited to announce that it will conduct the Privacy Gold Examination, a certification for data protection professionals, on February 15, 2026. This examination is designed for individuals working in sectors that handle personal and non-personal data, especially within compliance, legal, HR, and administrative departments. As the landscape of data protection evolves, this certification aims to equip professionals with the necessary knowledge to navigate these complexities effectively.

Examination Details

The examination will take place from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM on February 15, 2026, in a conference room in Tokyo, Japan. Candidates must meet specific eligibility criteria to register:

1. Applicants must hold the Level 2 Personal Information Protection Specialist certification (Privacy White), either from a private sector or public sector organization, or pass the Expert level of the Personal Information Protection Competency Certification.
2. They must complete a designated educational program provided by an accredited training organization, focusing on Level 2 Personal Information Protection.
- Note: Candidates who pass the Privacy Gold Examination are permitted to take the post-examination training afterward to fulfill the eligibility requirements.

Subject Areas Covered

The exam will cover the following five subjects:
1. Japanese Personal Information Protection Law and My Number Law (15 questions)
2. GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) from the European Union (15 questions)
3. Privacy Governance (6 questions)
4. EU Data Act (7 questions)
5. EU Artificial Intelligence Act (7 questions)

For a more detailed breakdown of the syllabus, please visit Japan DPO Association's Certification Page.

Examination Format

Candidates will take a written multiple-choice exam consisting of 50 questions (2 points per question; a total of 100 points). No materials are allowed in the exam room, and both the question booklet and answer sheet will be collected after the exam concludes.

Application Details

• - Application Period: From 10:00 AM on December 1, 2025, to 5:00 PM on December 19, 2025.
• - Examination Date: February 15, 2026, from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM (latecomers will not be permitted entry).
• - Location: A conference room in Tokyo, near Tokyo Station (exact details to be communicated via email by January 16, 2026).
• - Exam Fee: 55,000 yen (tax included), with no student discounts available.
• - Application Method: Applications can be submitted through the EventPay application page.

Results Announcement

Results will be announced via email on March 17, 2026.

Scoring Criteria

The examination will be scored out of 100 points, with a passing mark generally set at 70 points. However, if the overall pass rate falls below 10%, the passing score may be adjusted accordingly. The questions will be based on published legal texts and guidelines from relevant authorities, with no specific textbooks being required. However, candidates are encouraged to refer to the ‘Privacy Governance Textbook’ published by the association, available for purchase at their online store.

By undertaking this examination, professionals will enhance their credentials and deepen their understanding of data protection laws, making significant contributions to their respective fields as they promote and ensure compliance with privacy regulations.