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
Jul
7
2022
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | July 2022 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jul
1
2022
Winds of Change: Proposed Revisions to Japan’s Offshore Wind Public Auction Process Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jun
9
2022
Competition Currents | June 2022 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
May
26
2022
Asia Pacific Legal Market Summary And Partner Moves - May 2022 Major Lindsey & Africa
May
6
2022
GT Newsletter | Competition Currents | May 2022 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
May
2
2022
Saving Grace: PCT National Phase Deadline Grace Periods Could Protect Your Application von Briesen & Roper, s.c.
Apr
21
2022
APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules Go Global Hunton Andrews Kurth
Apr
8
2022
Japanese Financial Sanctions on Russia Over Invasion Into Ukraine Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Apr
8
2022
Competition Currents | April 2022 | Italy, European Union, Greater China, Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Mar
24
2022
Ukraine Crisis: Global Sanctions Developments Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Mar
22
2022
Japan Actions to Date on Russia and Russia-related Sanctions Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Mar
15
2022
Russia Suspends Compulsory License Payments for Some Non-Russians Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Mar
4
2022
Client Alert - Russian Sanctions: The Impact on the Ability to Conduct Business Norris McLaughlin P.A.
Feb
28
2022
Transatlantic Trade | US and Europe – Week of February 21, 2022 Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
Feb
22
2022
An Overview of the Esports Market in Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Feb
14
2022
Greenberg Traurig February 2022 Competition Currents: China and Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Feb
10
2022
The Net Is Tightening on European SEP Regulation McDermott Will & Emery
Feb
9
2022
Your Patent Application Is About To Get A First Office Action: Now What? Mintz
Feb
8
2022
Japan's International Financial City Initiative Continues in Full Force, Aiming to Attract Foreign Managers with Licensing Exemptions and Financial Incentives K&L Gates
Jan
20
2022
Japan Launches First Fully-Autonomous Ship Navigation Demonstration Robinson & Cole LLP
Jan
19
2022
Japan at a Crossroads: Reconciling Drug Price Reform and Innovation Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jan
15
2022
Greenberg Traurig January 2022 Competition Currents: China and Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jan
14
2022
ESG Regulatory Developments in The UK, Japan, and Hong Kong K&L Gates
Dec
20
2021
Benefits and Considerations for Patent Prosecution Under Patent Prosecution Highway in Australia, Canada, South Korea, and Japan Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP
Dec
9
2021
Greater China & Japan Competition Currents December 2021 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
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.
Nov
13
2021
How Fast is the Patent Prosecution Highway in China? Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner, P.A.
Nov
11
2021
Tokyo Tech Study Reveals That Bioplastics Can Be Transformed Into Fertilizers Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
Oct
12
2021
Japan on the Move: Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices (PMD) Act Amendment Demands Proper Compliance Foundation for Entry into Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Oct
7
2021
Competition Currents October 2021 | Greater China & Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
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
 

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