FAQ Archives - Page 46 of 94 - Ohara & Furukawa

November 24, 2016

Is it cheaper to set up a business in Osaka instead of Tokyo?

Tokyo is consistently the most expensive city in Japan and naturally the costs incurred in setting up a business in Japan are also highest in Tokyo. On the other hand, Osaka has a lower cost of living and the Japanese government estimates the expenses associated with establishing a business in Osaka are around 85% of what it would cost in Tokyo. These extra savings can be funneled back into the business while enjoying the many business connections and easy transportation to other commercial hubs that living in Osaka provides.

November 21, 2016

What type of information goes into a Japanese patent application?

When drafting a patent application one of the most important points is the scope of the claims which describes the invention the patent will cover. Drafting the claims too narrowly can lead to a patent that only protects a very specific invention, allowing others to make slight changes to the invention and avoid patent infringement. However, drafting the scope too wide may result in the patent application being rejected or later overturned in court. It is important to reach the right balance of these two approaches to provide the maximum protection for the invention.

November 18, 2016

Can compulsory execution reach assets outside of Japan?

Compulsory execution is a powerful tool for creditors to recover assets from debtors who refuse to pay off their debt. However, as compulsory execution is based upon the power of a Japanese court of law, it is also limited by that same court’s power. Therefore, assets outside of the court’s jurisdiction will not be able to be reached by compulsory execution.

November 16, 2016

How do inheritance taxes work in Japan?

Like most countries, Japan levies a tax on inheritance for estates probated in Japan. This tax is progressive, so the amount of tax that is charged increases according to the value of asset received by each heir. For example, the first 10 million yen received by an heir will be taxed at 10%, the amounts from 10 to 30 million yen will be taxed at 15%, etc., up to amounts over 600 million, which will be taxed at 55%.