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31 timely articles on 2026 Japanese legal reforms.

Final Promissory Note Issuance Date Is 30 September 2026: JFTC Requests Payment Practice Reform

On 2 September 2026 the JFTC asked industry associations and financial institutions to reform payment practices ahead of the abolition of promissory notes.

Japan Subcontract Act Renamed from 1 January 2026: Promissory Notes Prohibited, Transport Entrustment Added

From 1 January 2026 Japan's Subcontract Act became the Toritekihou. What the JFTC published and what the statutory text says on the name change, the prohibition on promissory notes, and transport entrustment.

Japan MHLW Loses 101 Minimum-Wage Survey Forms: Personal Data of 339 Individuals Possibly Leaked

What the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare published on 28 August 2026 regarding the loss of 101 completed questionnaires covering 86 establishments.

Japan Residence Permission Fees Revised from 1 October 2026: Up to 65,000 Yen by Period of Stay

What the Immigration Services Agency published on the revision of residence permission fees effective 1 October 2026: period-based fees for status changes and extensions, and a change in the online payment method.

JFTC Recommendation under the Freelance Act: 481,031 Yen Deducted from 138 Operators

What the Japan Fair Trade Commission published on 26 August 2026 regarding its recommendation to J-Top Co., Ltd. under Article 5(1)(ii) of the Freelance Act, set out as published.

Japan APPI Reform 2026: Biometrics, Minors & Surcharges

Japan’s 2026 privacy law amendment relaxes consent for AI training data while introducing administrative fines, biometric data rules, and stronger protection for minors. Compliance impact explained.

Japan Payment Services Act 2026: Stablecoin Rules

Japan’s amended Payment Services Act took effect June 1, 2026: a new intermediary business for crypto and electronic payment instruments, flexible trust-type stablecoins, recognition of foreign stablecoins, and domestic asset-holding orders.

Japan Customer Harassment Law 2026: Fines & Obligations

All businesses in Japan must implement customer harassment protections by October 2026. Legal definition, 3 mandatory employer measures, and penalties for non-compliance explained.

Active Cyber Defense Japan Law 2025-2026: Complete Guide

Japan cyber response capability enhancement law explained: mandatory incident reporting, server neutralization powers, and what businesses must prepare before October 2026.

Japan Strengthens Whistleblower Protections: Major Reform Effective December 2026

Japan's revised Whistleblower Protection Act strengthens protections for internal reporters and expands corporate obligations for handling disclosures.

Japan Trademark Registration 2026: ¥12K Filing Fee & 6-Month Timeline

A comprehensive guide to trademark registration in Japan for 2026. Covers the application process, official fees, online filing methods, timelines, DIY vs. patent attorney comparison, and common pitfalls to avoid.

Japan APPI 2026: AI Data Consent + GDPR-Style Surcharges

Cabinet-approved April 2026: relaxed AI training data consent, new GDPR-style surcharges, stronger violation penalties. Action items for cross-border businesses.

Japan Smartphone Act 2026: How Apple & Google Adapted (And What Critics Say)

Japan's Smartphone Software Competition Promotion Act took full effect December 18, 2025. Apple/Google fees, alternative app stores, and February 2026 FTC report.

Japan AI Portrait Rights 2026: Deepfake Penalties & Likeness Law

In April 2026, Japan's Ministry of Justice launched an expert panel to address unauthorized use of likenesses and voices by generative AI. Analysis of portrait rights, publicity rights, deepfake issues, and legal risks for businesses and creators.

Japan New Employee SNS Leaks 2026: Legal Risks and Corporate Response

Multiple Japanese companies faced confidential data leaks by new employees on Instagram and BeReal in April 2026. Legal analysis of trade secret violations, disciplinary actions, and corporate SNS policy obligations.

Japan AI Law Penalties 2026: Deepfake & Copyright Enforcement

Japan's ruling LDP party urged the government to add criminal penalties to its AI law in April 2026, targeting deepfake pornography and AI copyright infringement.

Japan Electronic Bookkeeping Act: E-Transaction Data 2026

Japan's Electronic Bookkeeping Preservation Act grace period ended December 2023. From January 2024, electronic retention of e-transaction data is mandatory. Covers timestamp requirements, search criteria, SME compliance status, and penalty risks.

Japan Invoice System Year Two: Transition Measures & Tax Impact

Japan qualified invoice system turns two. The transitional credit drops from 80% to 50% in October 2026, and the 20% special rule expires September 2026. Practical impacts on freelancers and small businesses explained.

Japan Provider Liability Act: Sender Disclosure Order System

How Japan's revised Provider Liability Limitation Act streamlined defamation takedowns with a single non-contentious disclosure order, covering login-type posts, costs, timelines, and enforcement against major platforms.

Japan APPI 2026 Triennial Review: AI Training Data & Consent Reform

The PPC published its 2026 APPI reform proposal in January 2026. Detailed analysis of relaxed consent for AI training data, sensitive data acquisition changes, surcharge penalties, cross-border transfer reforms, and implications for the EU adequacy decision.

Japan Company Formation 2026: KK vs GK Costs & Procedures

Complete guide to starting a company in Japan in 2026. Compare KK (Kabushiki Kaisha) vs GK (Godo Kaisha/LLC) formation costs, step-by-step procedures, requirements for non-resident foreign entrepreneurs, Business Manager visa, and bank account opening tips.

Japan Law Changes in May 2026: Complete Roundup of New Statutes Taking Effect

A complete legal roundup of statutes and regulations taking effect around May 2026 in Japan. Joint custody operations, customer-harassment law, cycling tickets, freelance protection, cannabis reform, and more.

Generative AI Copyright 2026: Global Cases & Compliance Guide

Generative AI copyright: Japan's Article 30-4, US cases vs. OpenAI/Stable Diffusion, news publisher class actions, and compliance points for developers and corporate users.

Japan Civil Procedure Digitalization May 2026: e-Filing, mints, and Pro Se Litigants

Japan completes civil procedure digitalization on May 21, 2026. Lawyers must e-file via mints, judgments can be served electronically, and online records access begins. Pro se litigants retain paper option. Five practical points before launch.

JFTC Recommendation Against Chubu Electric: What Went Wrong in Freelance Engagements

On Feb 27 2026 the JFTC issued a recommendation against Chubu Electric for Freelance Protection Act violations involving 39 professionals (lawyers, doctors, university professors). We analyze the practical risks of professional engagements and prevention.

Japan Tender Offer 30% Rule 2026: In-Market Trades Now Covered

Japan amended Financial Instruments Act took effect May 1, 2026. Mandatory tender offer threshold drops from 1/3 to 30%, in-market trades now covered. Plus the 0.5% de minimis carve-out and 5%-rule reforms reshape M&A and activist defense.

EU AI Act High-Risk Aug 2026: 5-Step Guide for Japan Companies

EU AI Act high-risk system rules become enforceable from August 2, 2026 — extraterritorial reach covers Japanese providers. Conformity assessment, CE marking, FRIA obligations explained by a Japanese lawyer.

Japan Ikusei-Shuro 2027: Replacing Technical Intern Training

Japan abolishes Technical Intern Training; new Ikusei-Shuro system launches April 2027. Transfers allowed after 1-2 years, path to Specified Skilled Worker (i) at year 3.

Japan PR Revocation 2025: Tax & Social Insurance Now Grounds

Japan's 2024 Immigration Act expands PR revocation grounds: willful tax/social insurance non-payment and certain crimes now trigger cancellation. Guide for residents and employers.

Specified Skilled Worker (ii) to Permanent Residency: 2026 Updated Path

2026 updated guide on the path from Specified Skilled Worker (ii) to Permanent Residency: expanded 11 fields, requirements, application procedures, and pitfalls explained.

Japan Stealth Marketing Ban 2 Years In: Enforcement Cases (2026)

Two years after Japan's stealth marketing ban: enforcement cases from the Consumer Affairs Agency, PR disclosure standards, influencer marketing compliance, and corporate defensive strategies.