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
24
2021
World Intellectual Property Organization Releases Global Innovation Index 2021 – China Edges Closer to Top 10 Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.
Sep
9
2021
Competition Currents | September 2021 | Greater China | Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Sep
5
2021
China’s Supreme People’s Court Affirms Right to Set Royalty Rates Worldwide in OPPO/Sharp Standard Essential Patent Case Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.
Sep
3
2021
Japan is Contemplating the Future of Cell-based Meats Keller and Heckman LLP
Sep
2
2021
Voyage of Autonomous Ship in Japan; First to Set Sail in Area with Heavy Marine Traffic Robinson & Cole LLP
Aug
27
2021
$97 Million stolen from the Liquid Crypto Exchange! Foley & Lardner LLP
Aug
19
2021
CFIUS Clearance: Toyota Motor Corporation and CARMERA, Inc. Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Aug
16
2021
Japan Enacts Law Restricting Land Use Near Important Facilities and on Islands Near Borders Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Aug
12
2021
Amendment of Investment Management Business Regulations for Foreign Fund Managers Doing Business in Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Aug
5
2021
GT Competition Currents August 2021: European Union, Greater China, Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jul
21
2021
How Are Colorants for Food Packaging Regulated in Japan? Keller and Heckman LLP
Jul
12
2021
Greater China & Japan Competition Currents July 2021 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jun
15
2021
G7 Communique Emphasizes Climate-Related Financial Disclosures Mintz
Jun
14
2021
New Competition Regulations Aimed at Big Tech Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Jun
11
2021
June 2021 Competition Currents | Greater China and Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
May
26
2021
5th Circuit Declines Personal Jurisdiction in High-Profile Japanese Collision Case — But Stay Tuned for More Bracewell LLP
May
7
2021
May 2021 Competition Currents: China and Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
May
3
2021
Speeding Examination of Related U.S. and Japanese Patent Applications Mintz
Apr
30
2021
OECD announces Amendment to Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits Bracewell LLP
Apr
27
2021
April 28, 2021: Foley Weekly Automotive Report Foley & Lardner LLP
Apr
21
2021
Japan Puts Forth Bold Legislation to Attract More Foreign Asset Managers to Upgrade Global Financial Center Status in Post COVID-19 World K&L Gates
Apr
8
2021
Competition Currents April 2021 | China & Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Mar
5
2021
Competition Currents China & Japan | March 2021 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Feb
17
2021
Evaluating Foreign Investment in RCEP Member States From a Dispute Resolution Perspective K&L Gates
Feb
8
2021
Expediting Patent Prosecution with the Newly Extended Collaborative Search Pilot Program Mintz
Feb
5
2021
Global Solutions, Flash Briefing: Japan’s 2021 Response to COVID-19 [PODCAST] Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Feb
5
2021
Competition Currents February 2021: China and Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jan
15
2021
China and Japan | Competition Currents January 2021 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Dec
21
2020
RCEP: Boosting Value Chains and Facilitating Trade Flows K&L Gates
Dec
14
2020
Competition Currents | December 2020 | China & Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Dec
11
2020
Hydrogen Rising Podcast: Japan’s Road Map for A Hydrogen Economy K&L Gates
Dec
9
2020
Asia-Pacific Signals Strong Commitment to Economic Integration and Cooperation with RCEP Signing K&L Gates
Nov
19
2020
China and U.S. Rank Even in Wireless Communication Patent Applications Worldwide Through October 2020 Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.
Oct
27
2020
Central Banks Issue Report Considering CBDCs Hunton Andrews Kurth
Oct
22
2020
Japan Announces Process for Adding “Existing Substances” to PL Keller and Heckman LLP
Oct
12
2020
Global Solutions, Episode 15: Policy Updates During a Global Pandemic [PODCAST] Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart, P.C.
Oct
11
2020
Competition Currents October 2020: Asia Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Oct
8
2020
New Antidumping Duty Petitions on Thermal Paper From Germany, Japan, Korea and Spain Faegre Drinker
Sep
30
2020
Japanese Government's Recent FAQ's Clarify How To Recognize E-Contract Services Under E-Signature Act K&L Gates
Sep
23
2020
Fall Travel Advisory: U.S. Embassy/Consular Services and COVID-19 Movement Restrictions Greenberg Traurig, LLP
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
 

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