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
Dec
2
2019
Japan’s New Crypto Regulation – 2019 Amendments to Payment Services Act and Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan K&L Gates
May
7
2018
K&L Gates Blockchain Energizer – Volume 27: May 7, 2018 K&L Gates
Aug
27
2021
$97 Million stolen from the Liquid Crypto Exchange! Foley & Lardner LLP
Jan
10
2024
(Un)fair Use? Copyrighted Works as AI Training Data — AI: The Washington Report Mintz
Jan
15
2016
2015 Global Cartel Enforcement Report Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
May
23
2018
2018 – Problem and Promise of Cryptocompliance in Asia Squire Patton Boggs (US) LLP
May
26
2021
5th Circuit Declines Personal Jurisdiction in High-Profile Japanese Collision Case — But Stay Tuned for More Bracewell LLP
Aug
20
2019
A Chinese Export License to Get a Smart Phone? Tech-Tonic Changes in World Export Controls Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton 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
May
9
2020
A Move to Mandatory: Japan Finalizes its Positive List for “Synthetic Resins” Keller and Heckman LLP
May
22
2020
A Move to Mandatory: Japan Finalizes Positive List for "Synthetic Resins" in Food-Contact Articles Keller and Heckman LLP
Sep
19
2019
A Week of Surreal Headlines: A Charging Bull Smashed by Man Wielding Banjo, A Stolen 18-Karat Gold Toilet, and a $20 Million Consignment Decided by a Game of Rock, Paper, Scissors Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP
Aug
24
2018
Accelerating Biofuels Utilizing Red Algae and "Fatberg" into Fuel Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
Oct
3
2014
Africa Legal News Update - October 3, 2014 Mintz
Aug
28
2015
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc. v. FibroGen, Inc.: Statute Permits Domestic Discovery for Foreign Opposition Proceedings McDermott Will & Emery
Oct
6
2017
ALJ Shaw: ITC is a Viable Forum for Enforcement of SEPs Mintz
Aug
12
2021
Amendment of Investment Management Business Regulations for Foreign Fund Managers Doing Business in Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jul
14
2020
Amendments to Japan’s Money Transfer Law Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Aug
2
2014
An Expensive Reminder to Secure Trademark Rights Prior to Foreign Expansion Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein & Fox P.L.L.C.
Feb
22
2022
An Overview of the Esports Market in Japan Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Nov
2
2022
Ankura CTIX FLASH Update - November 1, 2022 Ankura
May
18
2011
Antitrust Aspects of Dealing with the Japanese Earthquake McDermott Will & Emery
Apr
21
2022
APEC Cross-Border Privacy Rules Go Global Hunton Andrews Kurth
Dec
5
2011
Apple and Samsung Wage Patent War Risk and Insurance Management Society, Inc. (RIMS)
Apr
27
2021
April 28, 2021: Foley Weekly Automotive Report Foley & Lardner LLP
Apr
11
2011
April 4, 2011 Update on Ongoing Monitoring U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Sep
13
2020
Asia Competition Currents | September 2020 Greenberg Traurig, LLP
Jul
29
2022
Asia Pacific Legal Market Summary And Partner Moves - July 2022 Major Lindsey & Africa
May
26
2022
Asia Pacific Legal Market Summary And Partner Moves - May 2022 Major Lindsey & Africa
Jan
23
2023
Asia Pacific Legal Market Summary January 2023 Major Lindsey & Africa
Sep
27
2022
Asia Pacific Legal Market Summary September 2022 Major Lindsey & Africa
Dec
9
2020
Asia-Pacific Signals Strong Commitment to Economic Integration and Cooperation with RCEP Signing K&L Gates
Jun
30
2017
ASIC extends FinTech cooperation to Asian counterparts K&L Gates
Aug
28
2014
Automotive Bearings Price-Fixing Allegations Survive the Foreign Trade Antitrust Improvements Act (FTAIA) Defense McDermott Will & Emery
Mar
6
2015
Banker Settles with SEC for Role in Olympus Scandal Katten
 

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