Japan

Japan is a sovereign island located in East-Asia. It is often referred to as the “Land of the Rising Sun,” given its name means “sun origin”. The country consists of nearly 6900 smaller islands, with the largest being Hokkaido, Honshu, Kyushu, and Shikoku, making up approximately 97% of the country’s land area. With a population of nearly 128 million, it is the 10th most populous country in the world, with about 9.1 million living in the country’s capital, Tokyo.

Japan is a member of the UN, G7, G8, and G20, OECD, and is considered a great power in the world. It has the third largest nominal GDP in the world, and fourth largest purchasing power parity (PPP). It is also the world’s fourth largest exporter and importer of goods. A skilled workforce, which are considered among the most educated in the world, the country is a major trade partner and economic driver for other nations around the world.

Japan has the world’s eighth largest military budget worldwide, with primary goals of peacekeeping and self-defense. The country enjoys the highest life expectancy worldwide, and the country is highly regarded for its cinema, cuisine, tourism, and modern-day technology production, among other facets. Nearly 73% of the country’s landmass is forested, mountainous, and isn’t suitable for agriculture, or industrial/residential use. Because of this, the 27% of the country’s hospitable zones, are high density populations.

As a constitutional monarchy, the Emperor has very limited powers in Japan; the constitution defines the Emperor as "the symbol of the State and of the unity of the people". The Chief Prime Minister and cabinet control a majority of the executive authority in the country. The Japanese legal system is highly influenced by Chinese law, but since the 19th century the judicial system has been highly influenced by the civil laws of Europe, most notably that of Germany.

In Japan, the judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court.  Lower courts include the High Court, District Court, Family Courts and Summary Courts.  The judiciary is independent, as guaranteed by the Japanese Constitution, and most judges are basically lifetime employees of the government.

Japan is home to some of the most technologically advanced auto-manufacturers in the world, ships, steel and nonferrous metals, machine tools, processed foods, textiles, and machine tools. Among the leading exports from Japan were auto, electronics, transportation equipment, semiconductor, iron and steel parts. Its leading imports included fossil fuels, chemicals, textiles, raw materials, and machinery/equipment. Tourism is also a major economic driver, with nearly 20 million visiting the country in 2015, and over 24 million tourists visiting in 2016.

The National Law Review covers news stories from Japan, which affect the country, and international markets alike. Pharmaceuticals, healthcare sector, international trade, imports and exports, CFIUS and international purchases/acquisitions, fuel policies, and foreign relations. From international trade, company acquisitions, sales, cybersecurity and cryptocurrency markets, or new legislation between Japan and foreign country’s governments, the National Law Review has up to date news visitors want to read.

Custom text Title Organization
Sep
13
2020
Asia Competition Currents | September 2020 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Aug
26
2020
Japan Updates Its Food Labeling Rules to Avoid Consumer Confusion Keller and Heckman LLP
Aug
19
2020
New Amendments Passed to Japan’s Data Privacy Law Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Aug
7
2020
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | August 2020 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jul
29
2020
New Antidumping Petitions on Methionine From France, Japan and Spain Faegre Drinker
Jul
28
2020
Japan Proposes Revisions to Positive List for Food-Contact Resins Keller and Heckman LLP
Jul
24
2020
Japanese Fintech Regulation Update: New Regulatory Framework for Financial Services Intermediary Business Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jul
14
2020
Amendments to Japan’s Money Transfer Law Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jul
10
2020
Competition Currents | July 2020 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jul
8
2020
Brussels Regulatory Brief: June-July 2020 K&L Gates
Jun
25
2020
Global Solutions Episode 2: What’s up, Doc? Designated Occupational Medical Providers’ Roles in Reopening During COVID-19 Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Jun
24
2020
The Postponement of Tokyo 2020: Sponsor Perspectives Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
May
28
2020
Toyota’s ‘Woven City’ for Developing Autonomy, Robotics and AI Robinson & Cole LLP
May
28
2020
Summer 2020 Travel Advisory, U.S. Embassy/Consular Services, and COVID-19 Restrictions Greenberg Traurig, LLP
May
22
2020
A Move to Mandatory: Japan Finalizes Positive List for "Synthetic Resins" in Food-Contact Articles Keller and Heckman LLP
May
21
2020
COVID-19: Japanese New Foreign Investment Review Goes Effective as National Security Concerns Grow Amid COVID-19 Pandemic – Impacts on the Asset Management Industry K&L Gates
May
12
2020
First Circuit Holds Japan is an Adequate Alternative Forum Proskauer Rose LLP
May
9
2020
A Move to Mandatory: Japan Finalizes its Positive List for “Synthetic Resins” Keller and Heckman LLP
Apr
30
2020
Privacy Tip #237 – Nintendo Users: Change Your Password and Enable MFA Robinson & Cole LLP
Apr
20
2020
COVID-19: Japanese Economic Stimulus Package is Unveiled K&L Gates
Apr
9
2020
THE ENERGIZER – VOLUME 62 K&L Gates
Mar
2
2020
Coronavirus – Further Updates on Travel Impact Mintz
Feb
27
2020
Coronavirus and Its Effect on World Football Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Feb
26
2020
Japan’s COVID-19 Response Could Indicate a Global Shift in Daily Workplace Disease Prevention Practices Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Feb
26
2020
Coronavirus Concerns Continue as CDC Issues Additional Travel Notices Proskauer Rose LLP
Feb
20
2020
Fiscal Year 2021 President’s Budget Request: Function 150 Account Highlights Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Feb
10
2020
Crypto Asset Custody Regulations in Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jan
30
2020
Managing the Commercial Impact of the Coronavirus Outbreak: Force Majeure Declarations Foley & Lardner LLP
Dec
2
2019
Japan’s New Crypto Regulation – 2019 Amendments to Payment Services Act and Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan K&L Gates
Oct
22
2019
THE ENERGIZER – Volume 54 K&L Gates
Sep
19
2019
A Week of Surreal Headlines: A Charging Bull Smashed by Man Wielding Banjo, A Stolen 18-Karat Gold Toilet, and a $20 Million Consignment Decided by a Game of Rock, Paper, Scissors Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP
Sep
6
2019
Jurisdictional Lessons from Mt. Gox Cryptocurrency Litigation Bilzin Sumberg
Aug
29
2019
The Energizer – Volume 50 K&L Gates
Aug
20
2019
Japan Notifies WTO of its New Positive List for Plastic Food-Contact Materials Keller and Heckman LLP
Aug
20
2019
A Chinese Export License to Get a Smart Phone? Tech-Tonic Changes in World Export Controls Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
 

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