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 Sort descending
Sep
17
2022
Secretary Walsh, Ambassador Tai Join Japanese, European Trade, Labor Ministers to Express Concerns About Reported Global Increase in Forced Labor U.S. Department of Labor
Apr
11
2011
April 4, 2011 Update on Ongoing Monitoring U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Dec
12
2015
Japan FSA Publishes Draft Enforcement Orders, Cabinet Ordinances, and Supervisory Guidelines for Article 63 Exemption Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Apr
2
2015
Kanto Local Finance Bureau Requests Questionnaires from Article 63 Filers - Japanese Finance Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
May
20
2015
United States and Japan Form Cybersecurity Alliance in Hopes of Building International Norms Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Jan
15
2016
2015 Global Cartel Enforcement Report Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Mar
18
2012
Updates from Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Feb
13
2016
Japan Financial Services Agency Finalizes Amendments to the Article 63 Exemption Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Mar
19
2016
The Effect of Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan Article 63 Amendments on Existing Article 63 Exemption Operators Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Apr
18
2011
Employment and Labor Law Questions and Answers Related to the Earthquake and Tsunami in Northern Japan Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Jun
26
2011
Japanese FTC Streamlines Merger Review Process Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
Jul
23
2014
Bitcoin – Is Anyone In Charge? Barnes & Thornburg LLP
May
5
2015
Extradition from Japan: The Gamble Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Nov
1
2014
A Cozy Relationship: The DOJ and Japanese Fair Trade Commission (JFTC), and the Potential Risks of Taking Advantage of JFTC’s Leniency Program Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Nov
1
2023
EU and Japan Reach Landmark Agreement on Cross-Border Data Flow Barnes & Thornburg 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
Jul
8
2022
Our Deepest Condolences On The Passing Of Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Barnes & Thornburg LLP
Mar
5
2013
World Trade Organization Rules Against Ontario’s “Buy Local” Program Varnum LLP
Mar
19
2013
Energy and Environmental Law Update - March 18, 2013 Mintz
Mar
26
2013
Energy and Environmental Law Update - March 25, 2013 Mintz
Sep
5
2017
ITC Issues First Exclusion Order on SEPs and Upcoming Opinion Expected To Provide Important Guidance on FRAND and SEPs Mintz
Feb
8
2021
Expediting Patent Prosecution with the Newly Extended Collaborative Search Pilot Program Mintz
Aug
12
2014
Energy & Environmental Law Update - August 11, 2014 Mintz
Apr
2
2012
Energy and Environment Law and Regulatory Update - April 2, 2012 Mintz
Aug
27
2014
Energy, Climate Change & Environmental Legislative Update-August 25, 2014 Mintz
Apr
25
2012
Energy and Environment Law and Regulatory Update - April 24, 2012 Mintz
Aug
7
2015
Expediting Patent Prosecution with New Collaborative Search Pilot Program Mintz
May
30
2012
Energy and Environmental Law Update - May 29, 2012 Mintz
Oct
6
2017
ALJ Shaw: ITC is a Viable Forum for Enforcement of SEPs Mintz
Feb
9
2022
Your Patent Application Is About To Get A First Office Action: Now What? Mintz
Jun
25
2012
Energy and Environmental Law Updates - June 24, 2012 Mintz
Aug
20
2012
Energy and Environment Law Update August 20, 2012 Mintz
May
3
2021
Speeding Examination of Related U.S. and Japanese Patent Applications Mintz
Aug
29
2012
Energy and Environment Update - August 26, 2012 Mintz
Dec
16
2014
Energy and Environmental Law Update - Week of December 15, 2014 Mintz
 

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