Under Japanese law, an agent is someone who can act on behalf of another party. Normally this situation arises in the context of one party affirmatively granting agency powers to another party, such as the grant of a power of attorney. However, agency relationships can also arise as a result of employment contracts or a guardianship.
Agency relationships are powerful business tools that allow a boss to delegate important tasks to employees or allow business to be conducted in a more efficient or timely manner. However, they also carry an equal amount of risk that the agent might exercise their power in the wrong way. For these reasons it is always important to consult with a lawyer whenever contemplating the creation of an agency relationship.
If you have any questions about contracting in Japan, please contact our office to set up a legal consultation.