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.

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Oct
21
2014
Japanese Shipping Company Rolls Over, Pleads Guilty to Price Fixing McDermott Will & Emery
Mar
17
2012
Second WTO Challenge of Chinese Export Restrictions Could Affect High-Tech and Green Energy Sectors McDermott Will & Emery
Mar
29
2013
Japan’s Entry Into Trans-Pacific Partnership Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Raises Opportunities and Risks for US Companies McDermott Will & Emery
Feb
9
2024
Uniqlo v. SHEIN Wrapped Up in Legal Battle Over Alleged Intellectual Property Violations Norris McLaughlin P.A.
Mar
4
2022
Client Alert - Russian Sanctions: The Impact on the Ability to Conduct Business Norris McLaughlin P.A.
Jul
7
2015
New International Searching Authority Available for Green Technology Companies Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
Sep
3
2014
Utility Patent Trends Gleaned from the IPO’s 2014 IP Record Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
May
4
2017
Fast-Tracking Patent Applications in Asia Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
Feb
12
2018
The Hague System for the Registration of International Design Rights Welcomes Russia Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
May
16
2017
Patent Grace Period Laws in the IP5 Patent Offices: Some Similarities But Largely Different Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
Jul
17
2017
Biosimilar Uptake and Patent Litigation in Japan Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
Aug
2
2014
An Expensive Reminder to Secure Trademark Rights Prior to Foreign Expansion Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
Mar
25
2011
Rebuilding Japan May Cost More Than $300 Billion 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)
Mar
28
2011
The Rising Cost of Disasters Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Nov
15
2014
Darkhotel Cyber Attacks Are Targeting Traveling Executives Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Oct
18
2010
China Plays Hardball With Rare Earth Exports Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Mar
11
2011
Business Interruption in Japan Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Mar
12
2011
How Japan’s Building Codes Prevented Casualties Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Jul
14
2011
Evaluating Insurance Policies After Japan’s Earthquake Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Mar
17
2011
Earthquake, Tsunami Reshape Japan’s Coastline Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Dec
5
2011
Apple and Samsung Wage Patent War Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Mar
21
2011
Initial Estimates of Claims from Japan Quake Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Dec
6
2011
Charting Supply Chain Risk in China – It’s Worse Than in Japan Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Mar
23
2011
The Psychological Hurdle to Earthquake Preparedness Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Oct
12
2020
Global Solutions, Episode 15: Policy Updates During a Global Pandemic [PODCAST] Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
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.
Apr
14
2011
The Immigration Implications of Japan’s Disaster Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
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.
Mar
19
2024
Cross Border Catch-Up: Digital Nomad Visa Trend in East Asia [Podcast] Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Dec
11
2017
Death by Overwork in Japan: Cultivating a Healthy Workforce From Across the World Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Dec
3
2021
Global Solutions, Episode 28: Remote-Work Considerations for Employers Doing Business in the Asia-Pacific Region [PODCAST] Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
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.
Feb
5
2021
Global Solutions, Flash Briefing: Japan’s 2021 Response to COVID-19 [PODCAST] Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
May
2
2022
Saving Grace: PCT National Phase Deadline Grace Periods Could Protect Your Application von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
 

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