Ohara & Furukawa, Author at Ohara & Furukawa

July 25, 2016

Do married couples have a duty to support each other even when separated?

Married couples have a duty to financially support each other during the course of their marriage. This duty to support exists even when the spouses are living separately. Usually these support payments will take the form of monthly bank transfers, similar to child support after divorce. The amount of money should be enough to provide for the daily necessities of the lower-income spouse.

July 22, 2016

What is the difference between permanent residency and citizenship in Japan?

When faced with the decision to acquire permanent residency or naturalize as a Japanese citizen, foreign nationals should first consider the benefits and disadvantages of each option. While both options include the legal right to stay in Japan, citizenship also grants certain privileges that permanent residents do not enjoy. However, becoming a Japanese citizen means giving up foreign citizenship which, for some, may outweigh the benefits that Japanese citizenship confers.

July 19, 2016

What is a Choice of Language clause?

In international business deals the two parties may not share a common language. In these circumstances, the final contract may be translated into multiple languages and there may be up to two or three different language versions of the same agreement. Therefore, it is important to specify which language is the “official” version of the contract through a Choice of Language clause.

July 14, 2016

What kind of visa is appropriate for someone setting up a business in Japan?

In order for a foreign national to live and work in Japan, it is necessary to have a proper visa. This requirement can make it difficult for foreign investors to start a business in Japan. However, to solve this problem and encourage foreign investment, Japan has established the “Investor/Business Manager” visa.