Publicly supported daycare centers, known as hoikusho (保育所) in Japan, are vital for many families, enabling parents to work or manage other responsibilities while ensuring their children receive care and early education. The provision and management of these services are primarily governed by the Child Welfare Act (児童福祉法 – Jidō Fukushi

The regulation of taxi fares in Japan is a dynamic area, reflecting an ongoing tension between market liberalization, consumer protection, and the financial stability of taxi operators. While the Road Transport Act (道路運送法 – Dōro Unsō Hō) generally requires government approval for taxi fares, a more recent piece of legislation, the

Japan's marine transportation sector, particularly ferry services connecting mainland areas to remote islands or linking coastal communities, operates under the Marine Transportation Act (海上運送法 – Kaijō Unsō Hō). This Act aims to ensure the safe, appropriate, and rational operation of such services, protect user interests, and promote the sound

Pachinko, a pinball-like arcade game, is a ubiquitous part of Japan's entertainment landscape and a significant industry. However, its association with gambling and potential social impacts means it is subject to considerable regulation. This regulation occurs at two main levels: national law, primarily the Businesses Affecting Public Morals

The development of large-scale retail stores, such as supermarkets, in Japan is primarily governed by the Large-Scale Retail Store Location Law (大規模小売店舗立地法 – Daikibo Kouri Tempo Ritchi Hō, hereinafter "LSRSL" or "the Act"). Enacted in 1998 (Law No. 91 of Heisei 10) and fully implemented in 2000,

Japan's Act on Regulation of Residential Land Development, etc. (宅地造成等規制法 – Takuchi Zōsei-tō Kisei Hō, hereinafter "Takuchi Zosei Act" or "the Act"), plays a crucial role in preventing disasters such as landslides and soil runoff that can accompany land development, particularly in or near urban

Undertaking development projects in Japan often involves navigating a multi-layered approval process. Beyond securing the primary development permit (開発許可 – kaihatsu kyoka) from the prefectural governor or equivalent authority under the City Planning Act (都市計画法 – Toshi Keikaku Hō), developers frequently encounter a crucial preliminary step: obtaining the consent of managers of

Japan's susceptibility to earthquakes places an immense emphasis on the structural integrity of its buildings. The Building Standards Act (建築基準法 – Kenchiku Kijun Hō, hereinafter "BSA") provides the regulatory framework for ensuring building safety, including strict requirements for earthquake resistance. However, instances of fraudulent structural calculations—starkly

Japan's information disclosure system, comprising a national Act on Access to Information Held by Administrative Organs and numerous prefectural and municipal ordinances, embodies the principle that administrative documents should generally be accessible to the public. This system aims to ensure accountable and fair administration. However, this principle of

Schools in Japan, as in any country, are unfortunately not immune to accidents or incidents of harm among students, including bullying. When such events occur within public schools, questions of legal responsibility can extend beyond the individuals directly involved to the public entities that establish and manage these institutions, as

Food poisoning incidents at restaurants, while unfortunate, are a known risk. Typically, legal responsibility falls upon the establishment itself through civil liability claims. However, in Japan, there are circumstances where the government authorities tasked with food safety oversight can also be held liable for damages if their inaction or failure

In Japan's administrative law system, government agencies are often vested with "discretion" (裁量 – sairyō) in making decisions. This means they are not merely applying rigid rules to facts but are empowered to exercise judgment, choose among various options, or decide whether to act at all, even

Japan maintains a stringent regulatory framework for food safety, reflecting a high degree of public concern for health and well-being. A key enforcement tool within this framework is the administrative recall order, compelling businesses to remove products from the market deemed to be in violation of the Food Sanitation Act

The gravel extraction industry in Japan, vital for sourcing construction materials, operates under a stringent regulatory framework designed to balance economic needs with environmental protection and public safety. A cornerstone of this framework is the permit system for extraction plans, governed by the Gravel Extraction Act (砂利採取法 – Jari Saishū Hō)

Urban development projects in Japan, ranging from residential complexes to commercial facilities, are often subject to a rigorous permitting process under the City Planning Act (都市計画法 – Toshi Keikaku Hō). While these projects can bring economic benefits and meet housing or commercial needs, they can also raise significant concerns among neighboring

In Japan, as in many legal systems, not everyone who is dissatisfied with a government action can bring a lawsuit to challenge it. The concept of "standing to sue," known in Japanese as genkoku tekikaku (原告適格), serves as a crucial gatekeeper to the courts, ensuring that only those

The "Juminhyo" (住民票), or Certificate of Residence, is a fundamental official document in Japan, meticulously maintained by municipal governments under the Basic Resident Register Act (住民基本台帳法 – Jūmin Kihon Daichō Hō). It serves as official proof of an individual's residential status, address, household members, and other key

When seeking to challenge a governmental action in Japan through an administrative lawsuit, a critical threshold question arises: does the action in question qualify as an "administrative disposition" (行政処分 – gyōsei shobun)? Under Japan's Administrative Case Litigation Act (ACLA) (行政事件訴訟法 – Gyōsei Jiken Soshō Hō), typically only "

Japan's regulatory environment for businesses, particularly those perceived as affecting public morals or local living conditions, is often characterized by a complex interplay between national laws and local government ordinances. A notable example arises in the context of "love hotels" – establishments primarily offering rooms for short

Navigating the Japanese regulatory landscape requires a nuanced understanding of its statutory framework. For U.S. legal professionals advising businesses operating in or entering Japan, the ability to accurately interpret Japanese regulatory statutes is paramount. These laws, often characterized by broad enabling provisions and detailed supplementary regulations, can present unique

The Japanese education market, particularly the "juku" (cram school or supplementary tutorial school) sector, presents numerous opportunities. However, establishing and operating such an educational business involves navigating a complex administrative law landscape. This article explores some key administrative law hurdles, using a hypothetical dispute over the establishment of