Ohara & Furukawa, Author at Ohara & Furukawa

May 30, 2016

How are damages calculated in a copyright infringement case in Japan?

Winning a copyright infringement action in Japan usually entitles the copyright owner to money damages from the infringing party. The three main types of damages awarded in copyright infringement cases are: damages based on the unlawful profit, damages based on the lost profit and damages based upon a reasonable license fee. Which type of damages a copyright owner chooses to pursue can have a big impact on the amount of money recovered in successful litigation.

May 27, 2016

Is it possible to freeze the bank account of a debtor in Japan?

A main concerns when enforcing a debt in Japan is that the debtor will simply remove any money from his or her bank account, hide it, and then pretend to be insolvent when the creditor tries to enforce the judgement. In order to prevent this, the creditor can take a legal procedure to freeze any known bank accounts so the debtor cannot withdraw the funds.

May 25, 2016

What is the limit for drunk driving in Japan?

The legal limit for driving under the influence of alcohol in Japan is relatively low compared with other countries around the world. It is highly recommended in Japan that drivers consume no alcohol at all, as even small amounts that might be considered “safe” in foreign countries may result in criminal penalties in Japan.

May 23, 2016

What is a Summary Court?

Summary courts in Japan are the equivalent of small claims courts in America. In general, these courts will only hear cases with a monetary value of 600,000 yen or less. Cases brought in this court are intended to be smaller and less complex, which is reflected in the relatively low limit on the size of the claims and the simplified trial procedure.