On May 11, 2022, the Diet of Japan approved the âAct on the promotion of national security through integrated economic measures.â Key features of the Act include the establishment of (i) a system to ensure stable supplies of critical materials, (ii) a system to ensure stable provision of services using critical infrastructure, (iii) a system that supports the development of critical technologies and (iv) a secret patent system. The Act will enter into force on or before 18 February 2023.
In recent years, a considerable number of examples of successfully monetized smart city businesses have emerged, particularly in Europe and the US. In Japan, however, very few examples of monetized, sustainable smart city businesses exist. The failure to find a business model that can be monetized would be a major problem for both companies and local governments.
In order to help tackle this issue, Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) lawyers Yaeko Hodaka and Keisuke Misuda, together with the World Economic Forum (WEF), prepared a video titled “Smart City Business Models: Factors Hindering Sustainable Commercialization and How They Can Be Overcome.”
As global and regional integration increases, multinational companies ought to navigate numerous custom-related complexities and challenges imposed by relevant authorities in any jurisdiction. This webinar series provide an in-depth coverage of legal frameworks, practical issues and key trends and developments surrounding customs audits in select Asia Pacific jurisdictions.
On May 1, 2022, the amendment to the Ministerial Ordinance for Exporter Standards and relevant administrative notices (the âAmendmentâ) came into force. Upon enforcement of the Amendments, so-called âDeemed Exportsâ will be interpreted in a more restrictive manner than previously. Although export licenses were not required for the provision of technology information between Japan residents, pursuant to the Amendment, if certain conditions are met, such provision may be regarded as a âDeemed Exportâ and subject to an export license under the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act
Baker McKenzieâs Sanctions Blog published the alert titled Japan introduces further sanctions against Russia on 19 May 2022. Read the article via the link here. Please also visit our Sanctions Blog for the most recent updates.
The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications have recently approached certain foreign companies (in particular tech companies) and issued notices requiring that the company make a registration in Japan under the Companies Act.
In this article, we comment on this issue and provide our perspectives on the Japanese Companies Act, tax and other related laws and regulations such as the Telecommunications Business Act.
On March 25, 2022, the Japan Fair Trade Commission (“JFTC”) announced the closure of its investigation against a major US-based tennis racket manufacturer and its sole authorised distributor in Japan, after accepting their proposed commitment plans.
This was also the first enforcement action taken by the JFTC against a foreign supplier in a parallel import case, suggesting that the Commitment Procedure introduced in December 2018 may have helped overcome enforcement challenges in such cases. In the past, the JFTC has targeted only domestic distributors in suspected competition law infringements involving parallel imports.
Baker McKenzie’s Sanctions Blog published the alert titled Japan introduces further sanctions against Russia on 13 April 2022. Read the article via the link here. Please also visit our Sanctions Blog for the most recent updates.
As the development of new technologies and the introduction of new systems and policies aimed at achieving a carbon-neutral society is progressing around the world, Japan has also introduced policies to encourage innovation of private businesses in hydrogen and other technologies with the potential of decarbonizing society.
Baker McKenzie’s Sanctions Blog published the alert titled Japan announces which items will be subject to the ban on exports of luxury goods to Russia on 4 April 2022. Read the article via the link here. Please also visit our Sanctions Blog for the most recent updates.