Does language matter?
It cuts both ways. Some programs prefer English and license only to labs in the US and allied countries. Other buyers want local-language data: OpenAI’s data partnerships name local languages as a goal. Specialist Japanese and Chinese technical records are hard to find on the public web, which can make them distinctive.
Key rules by market
| Market | Privacy law | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | APPI | Third-party provision and cross-border transfer rules; anonymously processed information can be shared with public disclosure. |
| Taiwan | PDPA | Use beyond the original purpose needs a legal basis or consent. |
| Hong Kong | PDPO | A new purpose, such as selling data, needs prescribed consent. |
| Singapore | PDPA | PDPC guidance on personal data in AI systems, including anonymisation. |
| Mainland China | PIPL and data-export rules | Anonymised data is excluded from PIPL, but cross-border transfers of personal information need consent and assessments. |
See how to prepare records for licensing for sources. This is general information, not legal advice.
What Asian businesses can offer
Precision manufacturing, electronics and semiconductors, and inspection and maintenance services are strong across Japan, Taiwan, mainland China and Singapore. Records from these industries — drawings, process settings, quality reports, maintenance logs — document expert work that is scarce online. See manufacturing data for AI.
Practical steps
- Map which records contain personal information, and where they are stored.
- Decide whether de-identification will happen in your own environment before transfer.
- Check whether a translated sample or English summary would help buyers assess the data.
- Take local legal advice on cross-border transfer.
- Take the free check in English, Japanese or Chinese.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Japanese company license data to a US AI company?
Yes, but personal information must be handled under the APPI, including its rules on providing data to third parties abroad. Anonymously processed information has lighter rules.
Do AI companies buy Chinese-language business data?
Some do. Buyer demand varies by program; some ask for English, while others look for local-language data.
Does data from mainland China need an export assessment?
Cross-border transfers of personal information trigger PIPL duties, and other data-export rules may apply. Take local legal advice before any transfer.
Does Calto Data accept inquiries from Asia?
Yes. The check is available in eight languages, including Japanese, Korean and both Traditional and Simplified Chinese, and covers businesses in Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and mainland China.