Ohara & Furukawa

February 27, 2017

What does the Incoterm FOB mean?

When goods are shipped with the condition Free on Board (FOB), the seller is responsible for preparing the goods for shipping and loading them onto the ship for transport.  The buyer is then responsible for paying the cost of transportation and any fees imposed at the eventual port of call.  Insurance, if necessary, is also the buyer’s responsibility, as the risk of loss transfers to the buyer upon the seller loading the goods onto the transport.  The term FOB can only be used in situations where goods are being shipped by land or sea.
February 23, 2017

What mergers can corporations employ in Japan?

Mergers are a major part of growing a business into a new overseas market.  In Japan there are two types of mergers: Absorption type mergers and Consolidation type mergers.
February 21, 2017

What is a Priority Certificate?

A priority certificate provides official proof of a patent application in Japan.  This request can be made by filling out and submitting a form, along with a small fee.  The form needs to be submitted in Japanese.
February 17, 2017

Is it legal for a will to not leave anything for a spouse or child?

The advantage of drafting a will in Japan is that the drafter can choose who to give his or her assets to and in what amounts.  However, there are limits on how freely property can be distributed after death in Japan.  Japanese law dictates that, regardless of what is stated in a will, spouses and children are entitled to part of the decedent’s estate.  This minimum is set by law and can be claimed by spouses and children upon request to the court.