News & Blog

June 2, 2017

Does Japanese labor law apply to labor contracts governed by foreign law?

Companies and employees are free to set the governing law for employment contracts however they wish.  This is particularly helpful for a foreign company that wishes to draft employment contracts that will be enforced according to the laws of its home country.  However, in general, employees in Japan may still take advantage of Japan’s protective employment laws, such as the Labor Standards Law, even if their employment contract is governed by a foreign country’s laws.
May 31, 2017

Is it possible to sell a copyright in Japan?

Licensing a copyright isn’t the only way to monetize it.  It is also possible to sell all or part of a copyright to other parties.  Selling a copyright in its entirety is relatively simple and easy to understand, but selling a copyright in parts is also a valid way for the copyright owner to make the most efficient use of his or her intellectual property.
May 29, 2017

What types of bicycle laws are there in Japan?

Laws relating to bicycles in Japan are not always enforced, but the failure to follow the following rules could result in a 20,000 yen fine.  Bikes must use a designated bike lane if available; otherwise they should stay on the half of the sidewalk closer to the curb.  When biking on the sidewalk you must stop the bike if continuing would block the passage of pedestrians and you must keep at a slow enough speed so it is possible to stop the bike immediately.
May 26, 2017

Is it important to set an installment payment schedule with a debtor?

Establishing a payment plan with a debtor has several advantages.  First, by breaking up a larger payment into smaller installments, it allows the debtor to make more realistic payments and removes the temptation to stop payment because the value of the debt is too high to pay off entirely.  Additionally, being able to show that a debtor has may progress in making installment payments toward the full value of the debt can be used as strong evidence in court that the debtor acknowledges the full value of the debt and has promised to pay.