FAQ Archives - Page 9 of 14 - Ohara & Furukawa

August 5, 2016

Is it legal to have employees pay a penalty when they quit without notice?

In order to ensure predictability in the management of their business and staff, many employers will draft employment contracts that specify that employees must give notice before quitting their job. Typically the required notice will be several weeks to several months. However, even if an employee fails to give notice, employers cannot force pre-determined penalties on employees who suddenly quit.

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.

June 23, 2016

What is typically included in a Japanese employment contract?

Employment contracts in Japan generally define the relationship between the employee, the job and the company. In Japan, an employment contract must clearly state the period of the labor contract, the workplace, job duties, the existence of overtime, the start and end time as well as days off, the wage and rules regarding dismissal. It is the duty of the employee to check the contract before signing to ensure that he or she agrees with all the terms. Therefore, it is important to have the contract translated if it is in a language that the employee cannot read.

June 1, 2016

What is a Company Seal and how is it registered?

Registering a company in Japan requires creating a company seal. The company seal is a stamp that is usually a little larger than a normal personal seal. It also usually has the company’s name or logo on it. The company seal is used on documents and contracts as the company’s official seal of approval. However, in order to act as the company’s official seal, a stamp must be registered with the Japanese government. After registration, the Legal Affairs Bureau can provide a company with their seal registration certificate, which, as the name suggests, is a document that certifies that the company seal […]