Compliance

A collection of 188 posts
Slide showing Japan’s publicity-vs-portrait rights, Pink Lady infringement test, 2023 talent-agency case and contract checklist for marketing uses.
Intellectual Property Law

Publicity & Portrait Rights in Japan: Legal Guide for US Marketing and Entertainment Businesses

TL;DR * Japan protects identity value through judge-made Publicity Rights (economic) and Portrait Rights (privacy/dignity). * The Supreme Court’s Pink Lady test finds infringement only when use is exclusively to exploit customer-attraction power. * A 2023 Tokyo case shows roster-style website uses can be lawful if primarily informational. Written consent
9 min read
Slide summarising franchising risks in Japan: ASBP concept, 2023 court injunction, territory expectations and compliance checklist for US franchisors.
Competition / Antitrust Law

Franchising in Japan: Antimonopoly Act Risks, ASBP Case Study & Compliance Steps for US Brands

TL;DR * Japan lacks a single franchise statute, so antitrust rules—especially the Antimonopoly Act’s Abuse of Superior Bargaining Position (ASBP)—govern fairness. * A 2023 Tokyo District Court injunction shows franchisors may not undermine franchisees’ “reasonable territorial expectations,” even if not in the contract. * US franchisors must draft clear
8 min read
Slide summarising Japan’s camera-surveillance rules: APPI personal-information scope, 2023 facial-recognition guidance, signage & retention best practices.
Data Privacy

Camera Surveillance in Japan: APPI Rules, Facial-Recognition Guidance & Compliance Tips for US Businesses

TL;DR * Identifiable camera images are “personal information” under Japan’s APPI; capture alone triggers obligations. * Facial-recognition systems face stricter transparency and purpose-limitation tests under PPC 2023 guidance. * Clear signage, narrowly defined purposes, robust security measures and retention limits are essential for compliance. Table of Contents 1. Defining “Personal Information”
11 min read
Slide summarising parent-company director liability in Japan: duty of oversight, 2024 case law, red-flag test and compliance controls for multinational groups.
Corporate Governance

Parent Company Director Liability in Japan: Oversight of Subsidiary Compliance Failures

TL;DR * Japanese courts now scrutinise parent-company directors who ignore “red flags” of subsidiary misconduct—finding possible liability under Companies Act Articles 355 & 423. * Key risks include derivative suits, loss-recovery actions and criminal aiding-and-abetting if directors fail to implement adequate group-wide compliance systems. * Multinationals must formalise reporting lines, conduct
9 min read
Slide summarising Japan’s rules on false IP takedowns: UCPA Art. 2(1)(xxi) test, 2024 Osaka High Court case facts, duty-of-care checklist for platform users.
Competition / Antitrust Law

False IP Takedowns on Japanese E-Commerce Platforms: UCPA Liability & Risk-Control Guide

TL;DR * Filing baseless IP-infringement reports on Japanese e-commerce platforms can breach the Unfair Competition Prevention Act (UCPA) Art. 2(1)(xxi). * An Osaka High Court ruling (26 Jan 2024) held a competitor liable for negligent, false copyright claims that triggered listing suspensions. * Rights-holders must verify ownership, investigate infringement and
9 min read
Slide summarising JFTC cost pass-through rules: AMA, Subcontract Act, proactive price talks and key compliance actions.
Competition / Antitrust Law

Cost Pass-Through Under Japan’s Antimonopoly & Subcontract Acts: How to Avoid JFTC Scrutiny

TL;DR * Japan’s JFTC now treats passive refusal to discuss cost hikes—or rejecting supplier price-rise requests without reasons—as potential Abuse of Superior Bargaining Position. * Both the Antimonopoly Act and the Subcontract Act have been re-interpreted through new guidelines, large-scale surveys and public “naming and shaming.” * Buyers should
9 min read
Slide summary: Japan antitrust—cooperative exemption limits, ESG human-rights collaboration risks, Green Guidelines framework
Competition / Antitrust Law

Antitrust Considerations in Japan: Beyond Cartels – Cooperatives, ESG, and Human Rights

TL;DR: Japan’s Antimonopoly Act polices more than cartels—recent JFTC cases against fishery cooperatives show the limits of Article 22 exemptions, while ESG collaborations on human-rights due diligence face antitrust scrutiny under the Green Guidelines framework. Businesses must vet cooperative agreements, information sharing and boycott risks. Table of
9 min read
Slide summary: Japan indirect-discrimination rules and 2024 Freelance Act—clear contracts, 60-day payment, anti-harassment duties
Labor & Employment Law

Workforce Management in Japan: Tackling Indirect Discrimination and the New Freelance Act

TL;DR: Japan is tightening rules on indirect discrimination while launching a Freelance Protection Act that mandates clear contracts, 60-day payment and anti-harassment duties. Employers must audit “neutral” policies for disparate impact and overhaul freelancer onboarding by November 2024. Table of Contents 1. Introduction: Navigating Japan's Evolving Labor
9 min read