Compliance

A collection of 188 posts
Slide summarizing Japan’s two-stage collective consumer redress process after the 2023 amendments—key stages, SQCO roles, expanded damages, and business compliance pointers.
Consumer Protection

Collective Consumer Redress in Japan (2023 Amendments): How the Two-Stage System Impacts Businesses

TL;DR Japan’s collective consumer redress system is a two-stage, opt-in mechanism run by government-certified consumer organizations. The 2023 amendments widen claim scope (including non-pecuniary damages), broaden defendant categories, lengthen deadlines and create support bodies—making lawsuits more feasible. Businesses should tighten consumer-law compliance, prepare for early data preservation
10 min read
Slide: Tokyo District Court found hidden algorithm change abused superior bargaining position, penalizing chain restaurants; stresses transparency duty under Japan Antimonopoly Act.
Competition / Antitrust Law

Japan’s Algorithm-Change Antitrust Case: How Platforms Risk “Abuse of Superior Bargaining Position”

TL;DR * Tokyo District Court (16 Jun 2022) found a restaurant-rating platform abused a Superior Bargaining Position by secretly tweaking its algorithm to penalise chains. * Key factors: platform dependence (31 % of sales), no prior notice, deviation from stated anti-manipulation purpose. * Damages awarded despite injunction denial—“unjust” implementation under Japan’s
9 min read
Slide summarising Japan’s IP evidence tools: document-production orders, in-camera review, inspection system, protective orders and trade-secret safeguards
Intellectual Property Law

Gathering Proof in Japanese IP Litigation: Tools, Trade-Secret Safeguards & Court Tactics

TL;DR Japanese IP litigation lacks U.S.-style discovery, but rights-holders can compel proof through document-production orders, in-camera reviews, a high-threshold inspection system, and protective orders—yet trade-secret concerns and judicial gatekeeping still make evidence hard to unlock. Table of Contents * Introduction: The Evidence Conundrum in IP Litigation * Core
10 min read
Slide summarising Japan’s APPI obligations, breach reporting timeline, cross-border transfer options, and METI cybersecurity guidelines for foreign companies
Data Privacy

Japan’s Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Rules (2025): APPI, Breach Reporting, and Cross-Border Transfers Explained

TL;DR Japan’s APPI now reaches foreign firms, mandates strict breach reporting, and limits overseas transfers unless safeguards match Japanese standards. Pair that with growing ransomware threats, METI cybersecurity guidelines, and sector-specific rules, and US companies must localise privacy policies, vet vendors, and harden defences to stay compliant and
12 min read
Slide summarising Japan’s Antimonopoly Act rules on exclusionary private monopolization
Competition / Antitrust Law

Exclusionary Practices under Japan’s Antimonopoly Act: A Compliance Guide for Dominant Firms

TL;DR Japan’s Antimonopoly Act (AMA) bans “exclusionary private monopolization” by dominant firms—conduct that artificially hinders rivals and substantially restrains competition. To stay compliant, define markets carefully, vet any practice that could impede rivals, and document genuine business justifications. A 2023 Tokyo High Court decision on airport fuel
7 min read
Slide illustrating Japan’s data-licensing toolkit: contract clauses, trade-secret tests, and “Limitedly Provided Data” protection under the UCPA.
Intellectual Property Law

Licensing Data in Japan: Intellectual Property Considerations and Protection Strategies

TL;DR Japanese copyright and patent laws rarely cover raw datasets, so data-licensing relies on contracts plus the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. Trade-secret rules help when data remains confidential, while the 2018 “Limitedly Provided Data” regime protects commercially shared datasets managed by login controls. Combine tight licence terms with technical
10 min read
Slide summarizing Japan’s 2022 human-rights guidelines: policy commitment, due-diligence cycle, grievance mechanisms, and board oversight requirements.
Compliance

Integrating Business and Human Rights in Japan: Developing and Implementing a Corporate Human Rights Policy

TL;DR Japan’s 2022 government Guidelines align with the UNGPs and expect companies to publish a board-approved human-rights policy, then run ongoing due diligence. Creating the policy requires cross-functional input, stakeholder dialogue and top-level sign-off; real impact comes from embedding it in supply-chain contracts, training, grievance mechanisms and disclosure.
9 min read