Legal Update - Japan Compliance

Japan Compliance

Legal Update

A collection of 5 posts

Slide summarising Japan’s 2024-25 legal updates: overtime caps, freelance law, AI copyright, Civil Code non-conformity, corporate governance reforms

Japan’s Fast-Changing Business Laws: Labor, IP, Contracts & Governance Explained (2025)

TL;DR Japan has overhauled core business laws—from 2024 overtime caps and the new Freelance Protection Act to AI-era IP rules, contract “non-conformity” remedies, and tougher corporate-governance expectations. International companies must adapt HR policies, IP strategies, contract drafting, and board practices now to stay compliant and competitive. Table of

One-slide summary of Japan’s single-color trademark rules and Louboutin red-sole case outcome

Intellectual Property Law

Single-Color Trademarks in Japan: Insights from the Louboutin Red-Sole Decision

TL;DR * Japan sets a very high bar for single-color trademarks. * Louboutin’s red-sole claims failed under both the Trademark Act (no acquired distinctiveness) and the Unfair Competition Prevention Act (no confusion / not “famous”). * Courts weighed market context (price, channels, other branding) over hue similarity. * To protect a color in

One-slide summary of Japan’s post-parental-leave rights, 2023 Tokyo High Court ruling, and compliance steps for employers

Labor & Employment Law

Post-Parental Leave in Japan: Avoiding Discrimination and Protecting Return-to-Work Rights

TL;DR * Japan’s EEOL and CFCLA prohibit any disadvantageous treatment of employees who take parental leave. * The Tokyo High Court (27 Apr 2023) ruled that placing a returning manager into an individual-contributor role—even with the same pay grade—was illegal discrimination. * Equivalency is judged by duties, authority, and

Slide outlining AI’s impact on Japanese legal practice: legal-tech use cases, key risks (copyright, bias, confidentiality), JFBA ethical duties and Japan’s soft-law AI governance.

The AI Revolution in Japanese Legal Practice: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Considerations

TL;DR * Generative-AI tools are fast entering Japanese law firms for contract review, research and drafting, but raise copyright, bias and confidentiality risks. * The Japan Federation of Bar Associations stresses competence, client-confidentiality and supervision duties when lawyers use AI. * Japan’s “soft-law” AI Guidelines favour innovation, yet rapid model evolution

One-slide overview: Japan’s civil-litigation digitalization—e-filing, e-service, online case records, and business implications

Civil Procedure

Digitalizing Japan’s Civil Litigation: E-Filing, E-Service & Business Impact

TL;DR: Japan’s civil-procedure overhaul mandates e-filing for lawyers, introduces system-based e-service, and gives parties online access to case files. Businesses must upgrade IT workflows, evidence management, and litigation strategy before full rollout by 2026. Table of Contents 1. The Foundation: Mandatory E-Filing for Legal Professionals 2. Transforming Service