Selected year snapshot
For 1993, the active event in this file is 著作権法（昭和四十五年法律第四十八号）.
60%
Current rationale
As of 1990-01-01, the most permissive research-relevant exception in the Japanese Copyright Act is Article 30 (private use), which permits reproduction of full works of any type by any individual for personal/family/limited-circle use. This covers research done privately. However, it is restricted to individuals acting privately ('個人的に又は家庭内その他これに準ずる限られた範囲内') and does not authorize sharing or communication. Article 31 permits library reproduction but only of portions of works (一部分) for research purposes, which is more restrictive. There is no general fair use or fair dealing clause. The quotation exception (Art. 32) permits only quotation within the scope of fair practice, not full-work reproduction. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial restriction, single-copy limits) were not considered in the color assignment. Article 30's private-use exception covering full works of all types for any individual (but restricted to private/personal scope) maps to LIGHT BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for private use: any individual may reproduce a full work for personal, family, or limited-circle use
Library reproduction: libraries may reproduce a part of a published work at the request of a user for research/study purposes; single copy only
Quotation: published works may be quoted within the scope of fair practice for purposes such as news reporting, criticism, research
Reproduction for school education: reproduction in the course of lessons at educational institutions, limited to necessary extent
Law changes
著作権法（昭和四十五年法律第四十八号）
Baseline · Effective 1990-01-01
60%
Relevant section: 第30条, 第31条
Dates: Effective 1990-01-01 · Enacted 1970-05-06
Why this score
As of 1990-01-01, the most permissive research-relevant exception in the Japanese Copyright Act is Article 30 (private use), which permits reproduction of full works of any type by any individual for personal/family/limited-circle use. This covers research done privately. However, it is restricted to individuals acting privately ('個人的に又は家庭内その他これに準ずる限られた範囲内') and does not authorize sharing or communication. Article 31 permits library reproduction but only of portions of works (一部分) for research purposes, which is more restrictive. There is no general fair use or fair dealing clause. The quotation exception (Art. 32) permits only quotation within the scope of fair practice, not full-work reproduction. Classification-neutral factors (non-commercial restriction, single-copy limits) were not considered in the color assignment. Article 30's private-use exception covering full works of all types for any individual (but restricted to private/personal scope) maps to LIGHT BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for private use: any individual may reproduce a full work for personal, family, or limited-circle use
Library reproduction: libraries may reproduce a part of a published work at the request of a user for research/study purposes; single copy only
Quotation: published works may be quoted within the scope of fair practice for purposes such as news reporting, criticism, research
Reproduction for school education: reproduction in the course of lessons at educational institutions, limited to necessary extent
Original text
（私的使用のための複製）第三十条 著作権の目的となつている著作物（以下この款において単に「著作物」という。）は、個人的に又は家庭内その他これに準ずる限られた範囲内において使用すること（以下「私的使用」という。）を目的とするときは、次に掲げる場合を除き、その使用する者が複製することができる。
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: (Reproduction for Private Use) Article 30: A work forming the subject matter of copyright (hereinafter in this Subsection simply referred to as a 'work') may be reproduced by a user for the purpose of his personal use, family use, or other similar uses within a limited circle (hereinafter referred to as 'private use'), except in the following cases.
Source links
著作権法の一部を改正する法律（平成21年法律第53号）
Relevant update · Effective 2010-01-01
60%
Relevant section: 第30条第1項第3号, 第31条第2項, 第47条の5, 第47条の6, 第47条の7
Dates: Effective 2010-01-01 · Enacted 2009-06-19
Why this score
The 2009 amendment introduced Article 47-7, Japan's first TDM-specific exception, permitting reproduction and adaptation of works for computer-based information analysis (statistical analysis of large volumes of works). This is open to any user and any work (except databases made for information analysis), covering reproduction and adaptation but NOT communication/sharing. However, the pre-existing Article 30 (private use) remains in force and continues to be the most permissive general research exception for individuals. Article 47-7 adds a new TDM right that is open to all users (BLUE for TDM specifically — reproduction only, no sharing). The overall classification remains LIGHT BLUE because Article 30 (private use, full works, all types, individuals only) is still the broadest exception for general research use. Article 47-7 is BLUE for TDM specifically (any user, any work except certain databases, reproduction only). Since BLUE is more permissive than LIGHT BLUE, the overall classification should be upgraded to BLUE based on Article 47-7's availability to any user for information analysis (which encompasses research TDM). Correcting: Article 47-7 covers reproduction for information analysis by any user, any work (except databases made for analysis), but only reproduction — not sharing. This is BLUE. This is more permissive than LIGHT BLUE (Art. 30). Overall: BLUE.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for private use: any individual may reproduce a full work for personal, family, or limited-circle use. Now excludes knowingly downloading infringing digital recordings/videos.
Library reproduction: libraries may reproduce a part of a published work at the request of a user for research/study; NDL may now digitize originals for preservation
Quotation exception
Reproduction and adaptation for information analysis by computer (TDM): any user may record works on media for statistical analysis of large volumes of information. Excludes databases made for analysis. Does not cover communication/sharing.
Original text
（情報解析のための複製等）第四十七条の七 著作物は、電子計算機による情報解析（多数の著作物その他の大量の情報から、当該情報を構成する言語、音、影像その他の要素に係る情報を抽出し、比較、分類その他の統計的な解析を行うことをいう。以下この条において同じ。）を行うことを目的とする場合には、必要と認められる限度において、記録媒体への記録又は翻案（これにより創作した二次的著作物の記録を含む。）を行うことができる。ただし、情報解析の用に供するために作成されたデータベースの著作物については、この限りでない。
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: (Reproduction, etc. for Information Analysis) Article 47-7: A work may, to the extent deemed necessary for the purpose of information analysis by computer (meaning the extraction of information relating to elements such as language, sounds, images, or other elements constituting the information from a large number of works or other large volumes of information, and the performance of comparison, classification, or other statistical analysis; the same applies hereinafter in this Article), be recorded on a recording medium or adapted (including the recording of derivative works created thereby). However, this shall not apply to database works created for the purpose of being used for information analysis.
Source links
著作権法の一部を改正する法律（平成30年法律第30号）
Relevant update · Effective 2019-01-01
100%
Relevant section: 第30条の4, 第47条の4, 第47条の5
Dates: Effective 2019-01-01 · Enacted 2018-05-25
Why this score
The 2018 amendment replaced the former Article 47-7 with a significantly broader framework. New Article 30-4 permits exploitation of works 'by any method' (いずれの方法によるかを問わず利用) where the purpose is not to enjoy the thoughts or sentiments expressed in the work. This explicitly covers information analysis (TDM) in item (ii) and computational processing without human perceptual recognition in item (iii). The phrase 'いずれの方法によるかを問わず利用' (exploitation by any method) covers all exclusive rights including reproduction, communication, and making available — not just reproduction. It applies to any user (no restriction to individuals or institutions) and any work (no category exclusions). The proviso requires that exploitation not unreasonably prejudice the copyright owner's interests. Additionally, new Article 47-5 permits minor/incidental exploitation in the course of information processing services (search engines, etc.). Pre-existing Article 30 (private use) remains in force. The most permissive exception is now Article 30-4: it covers any use (reproduction AND communication/sharing), any work, any user, for purposes including TDM and computational analysis. This maps to GREEN. Classification-neutral factors (the proportionality proviso about unreasonable prejudice) do not change the color.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for private use: individuals may reproduce full works for personal/family/limited-circle use
Exploitation not for the purpose of enjoying thoughts/sentiments: any user may exploit works by any method for information analysis (TDM), technology testing, or computational processing without human perceptual recognition, to the necessary extent, provided no unreasonable prejudice to copyright owner
Library reproduction: libraries may reproduce a part of a published work for research/study
Quotation exception
Incidental reproduction in the course of exploitation permitted under other provisions or for maintenance of equipment
Minor exploitation for information processing services (search, analysis results): permits limited reproduction and public transmission of results of information analysis
Original text
（著作物に表現された思想又は感情の享受を目的としない利用）第三十条の四 著作物は、次に掲げる場合その他の当該著作物に表現された思想又は感情を自ら享受し又は他人に享受させることを目的としない場合には、その必要と認められる限度において、いずれの方法によるかを問わず、利用することができる。ただし、当該著作物の種類及び用途並びに当該利用の態様に照らし著作権者の利益を不当に害することとなる場合は、この限りでない。一 著作物の録音、録画その他の利用に係る技術の開発又は実用化のための試験の用に供する場合 二 情報解析（多数の著作物その他の大量の情報から、当該情報を構成する言語、音、影像その他の要素に係る情報を抽出し、比較、分類その他の解析を行うことをいう。第四十七条の五第一項第二号において同じ。）の用に供する場合 三 前二号に掲げる場合のほか、著作物の表現についての人の知覚による認識を伴うことなく当該著作物を電子計算機による情報処理の過程における利用その他の利用（プログラムの著作物にあつては、当該著作物の電子計算機における実行を除く。）に供する場合
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: (Exploitation not for the purpose of enjoying the thoughts or sentiments expressed in a work) Article 30-4: A work may be exploited, by any method, to the extent deemed necessary, in the following cases or other cases where the purpose is not to personally enjoy or to cause others to enjoy the thoughts or sentiments expressed in the work; provided, however, that this shall not apply where such exploitation would unreasonably prejudice the interests of the copyright owner in light of the nature and purpose of the work and the manner of exploitation: (i) where the work is used for testing for the development or practical application of technology relating to recording, videotaping, or other exploitation of works; (ii) where the work is used for information analysis (meaning the extraction of information relating to elements such as language, sounds, images, or other elements constituting the information from a large number of works or other large volumes of information, and the performance of comparison, classification, or other analysis; the same applies in Article 47-5, paragraph 1, item 2); (iii) in addition to the cases listed in the preceding two items, where the work is used in the course of information processing by computer or other such exploitation without human perceptual recognition of the expression of the work (excluding, in the case of program works, the execution of such works on a computer).
Source links
著作権法の一部を改正する法律（令和3年法律第52号）
Relevant update · Effective 2022-05-01
100%
Relevant section: 第31条第2項-第5項
Dates: Effective 2022-05-01 · Enacted 2021-06-02
Why this score
The 2021 amendment expanded library-related exceptions in Article 31, allowing the NDL to transmit out-of-print/rare materials to individuals via the internet (effective May 1, 2022) and allowing libraries to transmit parts of works to users via public transmission with compensation (effective June 1, 2023). These changes enhance institutional research access but are narrower than the pre-existing Article 30-4. The most permissive exception remains Article 30-4 (exploitation by any method for non-enjoyment purposes including TDM), which is GREEN. The library amendments improve PURPLE-level institutional access but do not change the overall classification. Overall color remains GREEN.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for private use
Exploitation not for the purpose of enjoying thoughts/sentiments: any user, any method, for TDM and computational processing
Library reproduction and transmission: libraries may reproduce parts of works for research; NDL may transmit out-of-print materials to individuals; libraries may transmit parts of works with compensation
Quotation exception
Minor exploitation for information processing services
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: The NDL becomes able to transmit on the internet, without the authorization of the right holder, a material that is difficult to obtain through normal trade channels because it is out of print or for a similar reason so that it may also be inspected from each home, etc.; and each library or similar facility becomes able to make public transmission of a part of a library material, without the authorization of the right holder, under certain conditions by paying compensation.
Source links
著作権法（昭和四十五年法律第四十八号）（令和6年改正後）
Current law confirmation · Effective 2025-01-01
100%
Relevant section: 第30条, 第30条の4, 第31条, 第32条, 第47条の4, 第47条の5
Dates: Effective 2025-01-01
Why this score
As of 2025, the most permissive research-relevant exception in Japan's Copyright Act is Article 30-4, which permits exploitation of works 'by any method' (covering all exclusive rights including reproduction, communication, and making available) for purposes that do not involve enjoying the thoughts or sentiments expressed in the work. This explicitly includes information analysis/TDM (item ii) and computational processing without human perceptual recognition (item iii). It applies to any user (no restriction to individuals or institutions) and any work (no category exclusions). The proportionality proviso (unreasonable prejudice) is a classification-neutral factor. Additionally: Article 30 (private use, LIGHT BLUE) remains in force; Article 31 (library reproduction and transmission, including NDL internet transmission of out-of-print materials and library public transmission with compensation) provides institutional access (PURPLE); Article 32 (quotation, RED) remains; Article 47-5 (minor exploitation for information processing services) supplements TDM. The overall classification is GREEN based on Article 30-4.
Exceptions considered
Reproduction for private use: individuals may reproduce full works for personal/family/limited-circle use
Exploitation not for the purpose of enjoying thoughts/sentiments: any user may exploit works by any method for information analysis (TDM), technology testing, or computational processing without human perceptual recognition
Library reproduction and transmission: libraries may reproduce parts of works for research; NDL may transmit out-of-print materials; libraries may transmit parts with compensation
Quotation: published works may be quoted within the scope of fair practice
Reproduction and public transmission for educational purposes at educational institutions
Incidental reproduction in the course of exploitation permitted under other provisions
Minor exploitation for information processing services: permits limited reproduction and public transmission of results of information analysis for search/analysis services
Original text
（著作物に表現された思想又は感情の享受を目的としない利用）第三十条の四 著作物は、次に掲げる場合その他の当該著作物に表現された思想又は感情を自ら享受し又は他人に享受させることを目的としない場合には、その必要と認められる限度において、いずれの方法によるかを問わず、利用することができる。ただし、当該著作物の種類及び用途並びに当該利用の態様に照らし著作権者の利益を不当に害することとなる場合は、この限りでない。一 著作物の録音、録画その他の利用に係る技術の開発又は実用化のための試験の用に供する場合 二 情報解析（多数の著作物その他の大量の情報から、当該情報を構成する言語、音、影像その他の要素に係る情報を抽出し、比較、分類その他の解析を行うことをいう。第四十七条の五第一項第二号において同じ。）の用に供する場合 三 前二号に掲げる場合のほか、著作物の表現についての人の知覚による認識を伴うことなく当該著作物を電子計算機による情報処理の過程における利用その他の利用（プログラムの著作物にあつては、当該著作物の電子計算機における実行を除く。）に供する場合
English rendering
[Unofficial translation]: (Exploitation not for the purpose of enjoying the thoughts or sentiments expressed in a work) Article 30-4: A work may be exploited, by any method, to the extent deemed necessary, in the following cases or other cases where the purpose is not to personally enjoy or to cause others to enjoy the thoughts or sentiments expressed in the work; provided, however, that this shall not apply where such exploitation would unreasonably prejudice the interests of the copyright owner in light of the nature and purpose of the work and the manner of exploitation: (i) where the work is used for testing for the development or practical application of technology relating to recording, videotaping, or other exploitation of works; (ii) where the work is used for information analysis (meaning the extraction of information relating to elements such as language, sounds, images, or other elements constituting the information from a large number of works or other large volumes of information, and the performance of comparison, classification, or other analysis; the same applies in Article 47-5, paragraph 1, item 2); (iii) in addition to the cases listed in the preceding two items, where the work is used in the course of information processing by computer or other such exploitation without human perceptual recognition of the expression of the work (excluding, in the case of program works, the execution of such works on a computer).