Articles
31 easy-to-understand legal articles based on statutes and case law.
Corporate Law
17 articlesDirector Liability in Japan: Duties, Obligations, and Risks
Guide to director duties and liability in Japanese corporate law, including fiduciary duties and shareholder derivative suits.
Labor Compliance for Japanese Companies: Key Regulations and Penalties
Comprehensive guide to labor compliance for Japanese companies, covering key regulations and penalties.
Intellectual Property Basics in Japan: Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights
Overview of intellectual property rights in Japan: patents, trademarks, designs, and copyrights.
Shareholders' Meeting Procedures in Japan: From Notice to Resolution
Guide to shareholders' meeting procedures in Japan, including notice requirements and resolution types.
Non-Compete Agreements in Japan: Validity and Enforceability After Resignation
Enforceability of non-compete clauses after resignation in Japan based on court precedents.
Whistleblower Protection Act in Japan: Employee Rights and Corporate Obligations
Japan's Whistleblower Protection Act (2022 reform): employee protections and corporate compliance obligations.
Corporate Liability for Data Breaches in Japan: Response Obligations and Damages
Corporate legal obligations when personal data breaches occur in Japan under the APPI.
Antitrust and Cartel Regulation in Japan: Violations and Penalties
Japan's Antimonopoly Act: prohibited conduct, surcharges, and criminal penalties for cartels.
Complete Guide to Trademark Registration in Japan: Process, Costs & Handling Rejections
A comprehensive guide to trademark registration in Japan, including the application process, costs, examination timeline, and how to handle rejections.
Trade Secret Protection Under Japan's Unfair Competition Prevention Act
How to protect trade secrets under Japan's Unfair Competition Prevention Act, including the three requirements, remedies for misappropriation, and best practices for management.
Entertainment Contract Basics in Japan: Talent, Appearance & Licensing Agreements
An overview of key contract types in Japan's entertainment industry, including talent agreements, appearance contracts, and music/video licensing deals.
International Business Contracts in Japan: Governing Law, Dispute Resolution & English Contract Basics
Essential knowledge for international business contracts involving Japanese parties, including governing law selection, dispute resolution clauses, and understanding English contract conventions.
Patent Application Basics in Japan: Process, Costs, and Examination
A practical guide to filing patent applications in Japan, covering procedures, costs, and examination tips under the Patent Act.
Design Right Protection in Japan: Registration, Scope, and Enforcement
A practical guide to registering and enforcing design rights in Japan under the Design Act, including the 2020 expansion to interiors and buildings.
Personal Data Breach Notification in Japan: APPI Obligations and Response Procedures
Japan's mandatory breach notification obligations under the amended APPI: which incidents trigger reporting, timelines, content requirements, and best practices.
International Commercial Arbitration Basics: Procedure, Major Institutions, and Japanese Law
A practical introduction to international commercial arbitration: advantages over litigation, choosing an institution (ICC, JCAA, SIAC, etc.), drafting arbitration clauses, and Japan's Arbitration Act.
Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Japan: Civil Procedure Act Article 118
How to enforce a foreign court judgment in Japan: the four requirements of Civil Procedure Act Article 118, the enforcement judgment procedure, and common obstacles.
Internet Issues
14 articlesOnline Defamation: How to File a Sender Disclosure Request in Japan
How to identify anonymous online defamers through sender disclosure requests in Japan, including the 2022 legal reform.
Legal Remedies for Revenge Porn in Japan
Legal remedies for non-consensual intimate images in Japan, including removal requests and criminal complaints.
Social Media Crisis Management: Legal Responses in Japan
Legal strategies for managing social media crises in Japan, including defamation claims and sender disclosure requests.
Cyberstalking Laws in Japan: Legal Definitions and Remedies
Overview of cyberstalking regulations under Japan's Anti-Stalking Act, including the 2021 amendments covering GPS and social media.
Japan AI Image Copyright 2026: Midjourney, ChatGPT, Stable Diffusion
Short answer: AI output (Midjourney/ChatGPT/Stable Diffusion images, text) is NOT copyrightable in Japan unless human creative direction is substantial. Art. 30-4 permits training but similar outputs infringe Arts. 21-28.
Cyberbullying & School Liability in Japan: Parent's Legal Guide
Short answer: Schools owe duty of care under Bullying Prevention Act 2013. Parents can pursue civil damages + criminal charges (defamation Art. 230, insult Art. 231). Anonymous bullies unmasked via 2022 Provider Liability Act one-step disclosure.
Online Privacy Invasion in Japan: Legal Remedies for Unauthorized Disclosure
Legal remedies for online privacy violations in Japan: right to privacy, deletion, and damages.
Japan's Personal Data Protection Law: Rules for Businesses and Penalties for Violations
An overview of Japan's Act on Protection of Personal Information (APPI), covering key obligations for businesses, the 2022 amendments, and penalties for non-compliance.
GDPR & Japan APPI 2026: Compliance Guide for EU Companies
Short answer: Japan and EU mutually grant adequacy (2019) — no SCC required for EU→Japan transfers, but supplementary rules apply. 2022 APPI amendment adds destination-country disclosure obligation for Japan→foreign transfers. 2026 lawyer guide
System Development Contract Disputes in Japan: Defects and Breach of Contract
Legal guide to system development contract disputes in Japan, covering defect liability, breach of contract, and project management obligations.
Legal Issues in SaaS Terms of Service: Validity, Amendments, and Disclaimers
Legal guide to SaaS terms of service in Japan, covering enforceability, standard contract rules, change procedures, and consumer protection limits.
Copyright Infringement Remedies in Japan: Takedown, Damages, and Criminal Complaint
Three remedies for copyright infringement in Japan — content removal, civil damages, and criminal complaint — with the legal requirements for each.
Cookie Regulation in Japan: Legal Requirements and Consent Implementation
Japan's legal framework for cookies under the APPI and Telecommunications Business Act, including the 2023 external transmission rules and consent best practices.
Music Copyright and Licensing in Japan: How JASRAC and Neighboring Rights Work
How music copyright and neighboring rights work in Japan, including JASRAC licensing, streaming/live performance rules, and practical guidance for using music commercially.
Book a free consultation with our firm
Contact