News Asia Pacific AI Law Developments 2026

Several major Asia-Pacific jurisdictions have enacted or advanced significant AI legislation in early 2026, establishing new regulatory frameworks for transparency, risk assessment, and human oversight.

South Korea: Basic AI Act

South Korea's Basic AI Act entered into force on January 1, 2026. Key features:

• Extraterritorial Application: Applies to AI systems affecting Korean users regardless of where the provider is located
• Transparency Requirements: Mandates disclosure when AI is used in decision-making
• Risk Assessments: Requires impact assessments for high-impact and large-scale AI systems
• Human Oversight: Mandates documentation and human oversight for specified categories of AI

China: Cybersecurity Law Amendments

Amendments to China's Cybersecurity Law took effect on January 1, 2026, representing the first inclusion of AI governance provisions within a major national law. These amendments build on China's existing body of AI-specific regulations covering algorithms, deepfakes, generative AI, labeling, and ethics reviews.

China had previously enacted detailed regulations including the Algorithmic Recommendation Provisions (effective March 2022), Deep Synthesis Provisions (effective January 2023), and Generative AI Measures (effective August 2023). The Cybersecurity Law amendments integrate these governance principles into the broader national legal framework.

Japan: APPI Amendments and IP Code

Two significant developments in Japan's AI policy landscape occurred in early 2026:

• January 9, 2026: The Personal Information Protection Commission published the Draft Policy for Amendments to the APPI (Act on the Protection of Personal Information), proposing conditions under which consent may be unnecessary for third-party provision of personal data or acquisition of sensitive public information used in statistical processing, including AI development.

• December 26, 2025 — January 26, 2026: The Cabinet Office released a Draft Principles Code on intellectual property protection and transparency for generative AI, with public comments open through January 26, 2026. The code is positioned as soft law without binding force, outlining principles for generative AI developers and providers.

Vietnam: Digital Technology Law

Vietnam's Law on Digital Technology introduced AI provisions effective in 2026, including requirements for labeling, transparency, and prohibitions linked to human rights and public order.

Regional Context

These developments reflect a broader trend across the Asia-Pacific region toward AI-specific legislation, contrasting with the EU's comprehensive approach and the US's patchwork of state laws. South Korea's extraterritorial provisions are particularly significant for international AI companies operating in the Korean market.