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 Sort descending Organization
Aug
5
2021
GT Competition Currents August 2021: European Union, Greater China, Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Apr
11
2023
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | April 2023 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Aug
7
2020
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | August 2020 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Aug
4
2022
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | August 2022 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Dec
9
2022
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | December 2022 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jan
12
2023
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | January 2023 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jul
7
2022
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | July 2022 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jun
12
2023
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | June 2023 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Mar
9
2023
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | March 2023 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
May
6
2022
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | May 2022 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Nov
3
2023
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | November 2023 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Sep
8
2022
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | September 2022 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jan
31
2018
Hacking of digital currency exchange leaves Japanese company footing the bill K&L Gates
Sep
28
2023
High Alert: China Linked BlackTech Hides in Router Firmware Robinson & Cole LLP
Jul
21
2021
How Are Colorants for Food Packaging Regulated in Japan? Keller and Heckman LLP
Nov
13
2021
How Fast is the Patent Prosecution Highway in China? Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.
Mar
12
2011
How Japan’s Building Codes Prevented Casualties Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Dec
11
2020
Hydrogen Rising Podcast: Japan’s Road Map for A Hydrogen Economy K&L Gates
Sep
15
2015
Improving Patent Quality With International Collaborative Search Pilot Programs Foley & Lardner LLP
Mar
21
2011
Initial Estimates of Claims from Japan Quake Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Mar
27
2011
Insurance Claims for Supply Chain Aftershocks of the Japanese Earthquake Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Apr
26
2019
International Cryptocurrency Regulation Top of the Agenda For The Japan G20 Summit K&L Gates
Apr
26
2019
International Cryptocurrency Regulation Top of the Agennda for the Japan G20 Summit K&L Gates
Jan
7
2014
International Trade Commission Initiates Sunset Review on Ball Bearings from Japan and the United Kingdom Faegre Drinker
Jan
17
2024
International Trade, Enforcement & Compliance Recent Developments Update (January 17, 2024) Foley & Lardner LLP
Dec
13
2022
Investor-State Arbitration: 2022 ICSID Rule Amendments and Update on Japanese Renewable Energy Claims Greenberg Traurig, LLP
May
23
2023
Is G7 Support for ISSB Climate Reporting Standards a Sign That Scope 3 Emission Disclosures Will Soon Be Required in U.S.? Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Feb
27
2024
Is Japan Ready for a New Economic Boom? Navigating the Changing Business Laws in 2024 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Sep
5
2017
ITC Issues First Exclusion Order on SEPs and Upcoming Opinion Expected To Provide Important Guidance on FRAND and SEPs Mintz
May
3
2018
It’s Official: Employers in Japan Must Convert Some Fixed-Term Employment Contracts to Indefinite Status Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Mar
22
2022
Japan Actions to Date on Russia and Russia-related Sanctions Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Sep
16
2015
Japan Amends Its Data Privacy Law: “Big Data” Comes With New Regulations Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Sep
1
2016
Japan and Africa: Turning A New Page Covington & Burling LLP
Oct
22
2020
Japan Announces Process for Adding “Existing Substances” to PL Keller and Heckman LLP
Jan
19
2022
Japan at a Crossroads: Reconciling Drug Price Reform and Innovation Greenberg Traurig, LLP
 

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