general practice Archives - Page 9 of 13

July 6, 2016

How long do you have to pay a traffic ticket in Japan?

Minor traffic violations in Japan are often punished with a fine and do not usually result in an appearance in court. After the traffic violation, the driver will receive a blue Traffic Violation Ticket and a Fine Payment Bill. If the fine is paid within 8 days, the case is closed.

June 13, 2016

Is there a legal aid system in Japan?

The Japan Legal Support Center (JLSC, also known as Houterasu, (法テラス) is public corporation providing legal aid loans to low income individuals. The JLSC was established under the Comprehensive Legal Support Act passed in 2004. Qualifying individuals can make inquiries to local law firms regarding civil, divorce or criminal legal issues or a variety of other potential legal problems and have their legal fees prepaid as a loan from the JLSC.

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.

February 24, 2016

What are Japan’s laws on internet piracy?

Starting in October 2012, Japan introduced criminal penalties for downloading pirated files off the internet. This new law is different from most of the other anti-piracy laws in other developed countries around the world because it criminalizes the act of downloading, rather than focusing on the party who uploaded the illegal file (although Japan has a criminal law regarding uploading as well). Violation of this new law can be punished with a 2,000,000 yen fine or up to two years in prison.