[Nyororin]

Because Google is not a Japanese company, and Japan is not the US or Europe.

In other words, laws relating to privacy are different in other countries. They skirted the law seriously on this, and there is the threat of real legal action. The quickest and likely cheapest way to clear things up is to retake the pictures.

You have to remember, Google is not some all powerful company that can ignore laws and regulations anywhere they like on the Earth. Satellite photos are one thing - street level photos showing the inside of people`s private property is another. Legally they need permission - and obviously they did not get it.