JD Supra Japan

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Latest documents

• The Technology, Media and Telecommunications Review, 13th Edition - Japan

  This 13th edition of The Technology, Media and Telecommunications Review provides updated overviews of legal and policy constructs and developments in the TMT arena across 18 jurisdictions around the world. As in years past, our goal with this publication is to provide a practical, business-focused survey of these issues, along with insights into how regulatory activity in this arena continues to evolve. Policymakers in 2022 have continued to grapple with the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, which has focussed greater attention on the need for ubiquitous broadband internet connectivity and has hastened efforts to make broadband services more widely available. The height of the pandemic saw a significant rise in remote working, distance learning, tele-health visits, and similar broadband-enabled activities. And while more businesses and schools are now returning to an in-person environment, it remains the case that work, education, and other aspects of our daily lives are more reliant on broadband connectivity today than before the pandemic. Originally published by Law Business Research Ltd - December 2022. Please see full Chapter below for more information.

• The Technology, Media and Telecommunications Review - 12th Edition, Japan Chapter

  This volume marks the 12th edition of The Technology, Media and Telecommunications Review, which has been fully updated to provide an overview of evolving legal and policy activity in this arena across 25 jurisdictions around the world. This publication continues to occupy a unique space in the literature on TMT issues. Rather than serving a traditional legal treatise, this Review aims to provide a practical, business-focused survey of these issues, along with insights into how this legal and policy landscape in the TMT arena continues to evolve from year to year. In 2021, the ongoing covid-19 pandemic has continued to loom large over legal and policy developments in this sector. As the threat of infection has continued to affect how we live, work and interact, the importance of connectivity has never been greater or more obvious. For many businesses, remote working has been the rule rather than the exception since March 2020, and may well persist in some form well after the pandemic is over. Many schools switched to distance learning formats during the pandemic. Tele-health is on the rise as doctors check in on patients via videoconference. Even tasks as mundane as grocery shopping have shifted online. And broadband connectivity, where available, has made it all possible. Originally published in the The Technology, Media and Telecommunications Review, 12th Edition - December 2021. Please see full Chapter below for more information.

• Japan: Q&A - Employer COVID-19 Vaccination Policies

  We asked our member firms around the globe to provide some insight on employer and employee rights when it comes to requiring the COVID-19 vaccine to return to work. Responses from Japan. Can an employer require compulsory vaccination? If yes, are there any exceptions or special circumstances that an employer must consider?

• Japan's Amended Payment Services Act Could Prompt More Nonbank Entries Into Traditional Banking Services

  The Situation: The amendment to the Payment Services Act ("PSA") of Japan took effect in May 2021, removing the current numerical transfer cap placed on fund transfer services by nonbank institutions. The Result: This amendment significantly changes the current regulatory thresholds and scope of compliance requirements imposed on money-transfer service providers by setting up multiple license/registration levels that depend on the size and scope of operations. Overall, the amendment expands the scope of fund transfer services in Japan and provides new entrants greater flexibility and choices.

• Japan’s Efforts To Strengthen The Effectiveness Of Enforcement Against Foreign Telecommunications Operators

  In Japan, the Telecommunications Business Act (Act No. 86 of 1984, the “TBA”) provides the regime applicable to the telecommunications businesses. On May 15, 2020, the Act Partially Amending the Telecommunications Business Act and the Act regarding the Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation, etc. (Act No. 30 of 2020; the “Amendment Act”) was enacted...

• Japan Renewable Alert 54

  Under the Act on Promoting the Utilization of Sea Areas for the Development of Marine Renewable Energy Power Generation Facilities (Act No. 89 of 2018; the “Offshore Renewable Energy Act”), enforced on April 1, 2019, offshore wind projects in general sea areas are to be conducted by operators selected through a public bidding process…

• JFTC and METI issued Guidelines for Business Collaboration with Startups

  On March 29, 2021, the Japan Fair Trade Commission ("JFTC") and Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ("METI") issued Guidelines for Business Collaboration with Startups ("Guidelines") for the purpose of promoting open innovation and ensuring fair and free competitive environments. The Guidelines are expected to further improve Japan’s competitiveness by fostering and utilizing human resources with challenging spirits, especially at startups.

• Japan Renewable Alert 53

  There have been significant changes from the discussions we outlined in our Japan Renewable Alert 42 regarding the introduction of the generation charge (we referred to generation charge as “producer-side base charge (hatsuden-gawa kihon-ryokin)” at the time; from now on, however ...

• Japan Puts Forth Bold Legislation to Attract More Foreign Asset Managers to Upgrade Global Financial Center Status in Post-COVID-19 World

  Japan is making bold policy and legislative actions to reshape its regulatory landscape for the asset management industry, aiming to invite more foreign asset managers to Japan and further elevate Japan’s status as a global financial center in a post-pandemic world. In particular, Japan has announced two new licensing exemptions designed primarily to incentivize foreign fund managers to open offices in Japan to be effective as early as the end of 2021. This alert provides key takeaways about these initiatives that we know thus far and what we expect to happen next.

• ESG Trending Topics - Japan

  Japan’s Big Banks Bet on Infrastructure + ESG. In anticipation of increased infrastructure spending worldwide to meet countries’ net-zero carbon targets, Japanese banks Sumitomo Mitsui and MUFG have recently launched infrastructure funds that include a focus on mitigating climate change impacts and other ESG considerations alongside typical infrastructure commitments.

Featured documents

• Japanese FTC Streamlines Merger Review Process

  The Japanese Fair Trade Commission (the JFTC) has adopted new rules that should streamline Japan’s review process for both domestic and global transactions. The new rules will end the JFTC’s practice of holding “preconsultations” with companies pursuing mergers or acquisitions that would impact...

• First Mover Advantages Will Accrue to Investors in Japanese Renewables

  The Japanese government is poised to kick-start the renewable energy industry by establishing high feed-in tariffs for solar, wind, geothermal, small-scale hydro and biomass. Following the 3.11 nuclear crisis, Japan has shut down 53 of its 54 reactors. The last one will be shut down for mandatory...

• Summary of FSA Answers to Public Comments on Proposed Amendments to Asset Management Regulations as a Result of the AIJ Scandal

  This Client Alert is a summary of important observations contained in the response of the Financial Services Agency of Japan (“FSA”) to public comments on proposed amendments to the various financial regulations of Japan in response to the AIJ scandal and is intended as a follow up to our Client...

• Japan Continues to Offer Electric Vehicle Incentives

  Many countries around the world are struggling to build a strong electric vehicle (EV) industry. The actual sales of EV’s are far below the target number of many governments....

• U.S. and Japan Continue Talks on Auto Tariffs

  Once again, the United States and Japan failed to reach an agreement on auto tariffs. Tariffs on automobiles are one of the remaining key issues that lie between the two countries in relation to the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)....

• A Yen for Israeli Technology

  While Japanese companies have been investing in Israel for the past two decades, M&A activity has picked up significantly, concentrated in the science and technology (S&T) sectors....

• Japan’s Ministry of Health Revisits Generics

  The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) has announced a new policy regarding generic pharmaceuticals in an attempt to stem the rise of health care costs. Japan spends JPY50 trillion (of which approximately one fifth represent prescription drugs) annually. Drug costs are expected to balloon ...

• Japan: Amendment to Worker Dispatch Act

  Japan recently amended the Worker Dispatch Act, simplifying regulations governing temporary workers (“dispatch workers”).  Among other things, the amendment, which took effect September 30, 2015, loosened existing restrictions on employing dispatch workers, especially restrictions on the length of...

• Japan Patent Act Amendment: How to Compensate Inventors Now?

  The most recent amendment to Japan's Patent Act, effective April 1, 2016, modifies the right of an employee inventor to "reasonable" compensation in response to calls for change from companies, but falls short of creating a bright-line rule on acceptable compensation....

• What Attys Need To Know About Asia's PE Slump

  Private equity firms in Asia have struggled to raise capital and swing deals in 2016 at the same pace as in recent years amid a regional economic cooldown and geopolitical uncertainty ahead of the U.S. presidential election, though experts say the slowdown isn't the first step towards catastrophe. ...