Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu updates
Court rules in Japan's first plea bargaining case
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- White Collar Crime
- Japan
- 14 September 2020
The plea bargaining system, which came into effect in 2018, allows suspects and defendants to enter into negotiations with prosecutors whereby evidence of others' criminal conduct can be provided in return for criminal charges being reduced or dropped. This article examines Japan's first bribery conviction involving plea bargaining, which has been successfully appealed to the Tokyo High Court. This case is significant because it will likely influence how public prosecutors use the plea bargaining system in future.
Recent amendments to Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Banking & Financial Services
- Japan
- 07 July 2020
In light of the global trend to further regulate foreign direct investments from a national security viewpoint, the Foreign Exchange and Foreign Trade Act of Japan (FEFTA) and regulations thereunder were recently subject to amendments which drew particular attention from Japanese stock market participants concerned about the potential negative impact thereof. This article provides a brief explanation of the amendments to the FEFTA.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on employment
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Employment & Immigration
- Japan
- 27 May 2020
In April 2020 the government declared a state of emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, prefectural governors have requested certain industries to suspend their business operations. This article provides information for employers on how to handle employment matters during the COVID-19 crisis, including employment adjustment subsidies, salary reductions and dismissals.
Corporate risk when officers or employees have criminal convictions
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- White Collar Crime
- Japan
- 25 May 2020
Companies in Japan that operate in sectors which require permits or licences (eg, the aviation, banking, pharmaceutical, construction, outsourcing and waste disposal sectors) risk having their licences revoked if their officers or certain employees receive a criminal conviction. This article explains the circumstances in which a company's licence may be revoked and sets out certain measures that companies can take to protect themselves against this risk.
Extension of filing deadlines for disclosure documents in response to COVID-19 outbreak
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Banking & Financial Services
- Japan
- 12 May 2020
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the Financial Services Agency has announced an extension of the deadlines to file certain mandatory disclosure documents, including annual securities reports. This article explains this unprecedented measure taken in recognition of issuers' difficulties in preparing their disclosure documents in light of the current COVID-19 crisis.
Act on the Protection of Personal Information amended
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Tech, Data, Telecoms & Media
- Japan
- 17 April 2020
A bill to amend part of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information was recently submitted to the Japanese Diet. The bill's main provisions will come into force within two years from the date of their promulgation. This article examines the parts of the bill which are expected to have a significant impact on ongoing business practices.
Cybersecurity in Japan: being aware of your business partners' risks
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Tech, Data, Telecoms & Media
- Japan
- 28 February 2020
A recent high-profile theft of hard drives containing sensitive personal data has highlighted the need for Japan-based companies to ensure that their cybersecurity measures include processes for disposing of personal data that has been entrusted to them and reviewing their security controls regarding business partners who may come into contact with personal data. The case involved an employee at an IP recycling company who stole nearly 4,000 data storage devices that were destined for disposal.
Cybersecurity in Japan: being aware of your business partners' risks
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- White Collar Crime
- Japan
- 24 February 2020
A recent high-profile theft of hard drives containing sensitive personal data has highlighted the need for Japan-based companies to ensure that their cybersecurity measures include processes for disposing of personal data that has been entrusted to them and reviewing their security controls regarding business partners who may come into contact with personal data. The case involved an employee at an IP recycling company who stole nearly 4,000 data storage devices that were destined for disposal.
Personal Information Protection Commission – recent trends
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Tech, Data, Telecoms & Media
- Japan
- 24 January 2020
In recent months, the Personal Information Protection Commission (PPC) has been proactive in publicising cases of data breaches that have had a significant social impact, together with the names of the companies, even when the PPC did not exercise its supervisory authority over the companies in question. Whether this trend will continue should be carefully monitored.
Does Interest Rate Restriction Act apply to corporate bonds?
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Banking & Financial Services
- Japan
- 10 December 2019
Interest rates applicable to loans made in Japan are subject to the Interest Rate Restriction Act, which is Japan's usury law. For decades, legal experts and others questioned whether this regulation also applied to corporate bonds, thereby affording bond issuers the same protections against high interest rates as those enjoyed by borrowers. This longstanding question appears to have been resolved by a recent Tokyo District Court judgment.
Public consultation on appropriate choice and use of Japanese yen interest rate benchmarks
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Banking & Financial Services
- Japan
- 01 November 2019
To address the risk that the London Interbank Offered Rate may be discontinued, the Cross-Industry Committee on Japanese Yen Interest Rate Benchmarks was established to recommend the appropriate choice and use of Japanese yen interest rate benchmarks depending on the type of financial transaction involved and develop transition plans for a new framework enabling the use of Japanese yen interest rate benchmarks. The committee recently published a consultation paper in this regard.
Public consultation on appropriate choice and use of Japanese yen interest rate benchmarks
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Banking & Financial Services
- Japan
- 29 October 2019
To address the risk that the London Interbank Offered Rate may be discontinued, the Cross-Industry Committee on Japanese Yen Interest Rate Benchmarks was established to recommend the appropriate choice and use of Japanese yen interest rate benchmarks depending on the type of financial transaction involved and develop transition plans for a new framework enabling the use of Japanese yen interest rate benchmarks. The committee recently published a consultation paper in this regard.
New corporate group governance guidelines
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- White Collar Crime
- Japan
- 28 October 2019
Certain large corporate groups in Japan have been criticised for having antiquated group governance structures that do not provide adequate protection against corporate malfeasance. It has been recognised that poor group design and governance often play at least an indirect role in white collar crime. As part of ongoing efforts to address these issues, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry recently published the Practical Guidelines on Group Governance Systems.
Ministry relaxes rules for affixing technical standard conformity marks
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Product Regulation & Liability
- Japan
- 24 October 2019
Following the diversification and miniaturisation of electronic equipment, the means by which technical standard conformity marks must be affixed received significant attention from business operators that sell or import electronic equipment in Japan. As such, the Ministry of International Affairs and Communications recently relaxed the restrictions regarding marks indicating technical standard conformity certification or approval under the Radio Act and the Telecommunication Business Act.
Recent developments regarding attorney-client privilege
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Competition & Antitrust
- Japan
- 17 October 2019
According to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Japan is one of only three OECD jurisdictions to not recognise attorney-client privilege. In response to discussions and lobbying, the Diet has announced amendments to the Anti-monopoly Law which will partially introduce attorney-client privilege in administrative investigations pursuant to ordinances under the law or certain prescribed guidelines.
New protection for Big Data under Unfair Competition Prevention Act
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Competition & Antitrust
- Japan
- 05 September 2019
The Unfair Competition Prevention Act was recently amended to afford new legal protection to Big Data. Although this new legal protection is expected to increase data use, in order to qualify as protected data, data must be managed accordingly. Thus, all parties which use Big Data in their business should review their management systems, internal rules and agreements regarding the handling of data in order to ensure that such data can fall under the definition of protected data set out in the act.
New protection for Big Data under Unfair Competition Prevention Act
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Tech, Data, Telecoms & Media
- Japan
- 30 August 2019
The Unfair Competition Prevention Act was recently amended to afford new legal protection to Big Data. Although this new legal protection is expected to increase data use, in order to qualify as protected data, data must be managed accordingly. Thus, all parties which use Big Data in their business should review their management systems, internal rules and agreements regarding the handling of data in order to ensure that such data can fall under the definition of protected data set out in the act.
New plea bargaining system in practice
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- White Collar Crime
- Japan
- 12 August 2019
Since Japan's first plea bargaining system was introduced in June 2018, prosecutors have used plea bargains in two cases, the second of which led to the dramatic arrest of Carlos Ghosn, former CEO and chair of Renault-Nissan, on the tarmac of Haneda Airport in November 2018. The one-year anniversary of the new system therefore seems like an appropriate time to take stock of the first cases and examine the implications for the future.
Radio Act amended to promote innovation using foreign WiFi and Bluetooth devices
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Product Regulation & Liability
- Japan
- 08 August 2019
The Diet recently amended the Radio Act to provide simple procedures for using radio equipment that has not been technically certified in Japan for experimental purposes. The amendments are expected to foster innovation with regard to technology-related products by addressing the challenge faced by foreign manufacturers and other business operators that have struggled to bring prototype products with WiFi or Bluetooth capabilities into Japan for experimental purposes.
New resident status categories for foreign nationals
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu- Employment & Immigration
- Japan
- 02 August 2019
Two new resident status categories for foreign nationals were recently put in place in order to cope with Japan's labour shortage. The first of these new resident categories is the specified skills 1 category, which covers individuals who have a substantial degree of knowledge or skill in the 14 initial industrial fields that require additional labour. The second, the specified skills 2 category, covers individuals who have sufficient skills in the specified industrial fields.
