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Sign upArab Law Quarterly: Celebrating 35 Years with free access to selected articles
Arab Law Quarterly, the leading English language scholarly publication on matters relating to the law of Arab states, will publish its 35th Volume in 2021. To celebrate this, five sets of seven articles, hand-picked from past volumes by Editor-in-Chief Haider Ala Hamoudi, will be available for free downloading during 2021.
New Series: International and Comparative Business Law and Public Policy
The Series offers an outlet for monographs and collective works making substantial contributions to interdisciplinary research.
Forthcoming: Encyclopedia of Public International Law in Asia (3 vols)
Incorporating the work of numerous leading scholars, the Encyclopedia of Public International Law in Asia provides a detailed description of the practice and implementation of international law in various Asian states. The Encyclopedia is also available online.
Secondary Sources Hugh J. Ault, et. al., Comparative Income Taxation: A Structural Analysis (The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 2020). Comparative analysis of 11 complex national income tax systems, including Japan. Japan Federation of Certified Public Tax Accountants’ Associations, Guide to Japanese Taxes (2018), https://www.nichizeiren.or.jp/eng/pdf/GuidetoJapaneseTaxes2018.pdf. The Japanese Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Overview of the CPA Profession, https://jicpa.or.jp/english/who-we-are/overview/. Outline of profession and associated statistics and figures. This data is compiled in annual reports (English). Junko Ogushi & Ryuichi Nozaki, “Japan,” in International Corporate Procedures (Bristol, UK: Jordan Publishing (LexisNexis.uk), 2002—). Practical information and guidance on formation procedures, accounting and tax requirements and regulations and other relevant matters regarding creation and operations of limited companies, branches, partnerships and joint ventures. Subject Searches: Tax accounting--Law and legislation--Japan.Corporations--Accounting--Law and legislation--Japan.Corporations--Auditing--Law and legislation--Japan.Auditing, Internal--Law and legislation--Japan. Primary Sources [Certified public accountants act] 公認会計士法 | Kōnin kaikeishihō, Act no. 103/1948, 06 Jul 1948. Hōrei DB. Translated:JLT (2018). English. [Companies act] 会社法 | Kaishahō, Act no. 86/2005, 26 Jul 2005. Hōrei DB. Sections of this law replaced “Law for special exceptions to the Commercial code concerning audit, etc. of kabushiki-kaisha”. Translated: -- Parts 1-4: JLT (2022). English. -- Parts 5-8: JLT (2022). English. -- EHS 2202 JAB (2017). English. [Assets revaluation law] 資産再評価法 | Shisan saihyōka hō, Act no. 110/1950, 25 Apr 1950. Hōrei DB. Translated:EHS 4120 FA (2000). English. [Regulation on terminology, forms, and preparation methods of consolidated financial statements] 連結財務諸表の用語、様式及び作成方法に関する規則 | Renketsu zaimu shohyō no yōgo, kabushiki oyobi sakusei hōhō ni kansuru kisoku, Ministry of Finace ordinance no. 28/1976, 30 Oct 1976. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2021). English. -- EHS 6605A MDA (2007). English. Under English title: Ordinance on terminology, forms, and preparation methods of consolidated financial statements [Regulation on terminology, forms, and preparation methods of financial statements] 財務諸表等の用語、様式及び作成方法に関する規則 | Zaimu shohyō tō no yōgo, kabushiki oyobi sakusei hōhō ni kansuru kisoku, Ministry of Justice ordinance no. 59, 27 Nov 1963. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2021). English. -- EHS 6605 MD (2007). English. Under English title: Regulation concerning terminology, forms and method of preparation of financial statements, etc. [Board of audit act] 会計検査院法 | Kaikei kensain hō, Act no. 73/1947, 29 Apr 1947. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2023). English. -- Board of Audit of Japan. English. Key provisions only.
Secondary Sources Zentaro Kitagawa, Doing Business in Japan (New Providence, NJ: LexisNexis, 2010—), Chapter 11, Administrative Regulations. Available on Lexis. Last update May 2018. Keigo Fuchi, “Stanley Surrey and the Transformation of Administrative Law in Japan,” University of Pennsylvania Asian Law Review 15 (2020): 172. https://scholarship.law.upenn.edu/alr/vol15/iss2/1/. Subject Searches: Administrative law--Japan. Primary Sources [National government organization act] 国家行政組織法 | Kokka gyōsei soshikihō, Act no. 120/1948, 10 Jul 1948. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2024). English (tentative translation). -- EHS 1150 FA (2015). English. [Administrative procedure act] 行政手続法 | Gyōsei tetsuzukihō, Act no. 88/1993, 12 Nov 1993. Hōrei DB. Translated:JLT (2024). English (tentative translation). [Administrative case litigation act] 行政事件訴訟法 | Gyōsei jiken soshōhō, Act no. 139/1962, 16 May 1962. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2021). English. -- EHS 2391 OB (2016). English. [Administrative complaint review act] 行政不服審査法 | Gyōsei fufuku shinsahō, Act no. 68/2014, 13 June 2014. Hōrei DB. Completely revises the 1962 law of the same name. Translated: -- JLT (2024). English (tentative translation). -- EHS 1036 AU (2006). English. Under English title: Administrative complaint investigation law. [Act on the Use of Numbers to Identify a Specific Individual in Administrative Procedure] 行政手続における特定の個人を識別するための番号の利用等に関する法律 | Gyōsei tetsudzuki ni okeru tokutei no kojin o shikibetsu suru tame no bangō no riyō-tō ni kansuru hōritsu, Act No. 27/2013, 31 May 2013. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2014). English. -- JLT Outline of the law (PDF). English. [Non-contentious cases procedures act] 非訟事件手続法 | Hishō jiken tetsudzuki-hō, Act No. 51/2011, 25 May 2011. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2022). English. -- EHS 2380 NA (2001). English. [Whistleblower protection act] 公益通報者保護法 | Kōeki tsūhōsha hogohō, Act no. 122/2004, 18 Jun 2004. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2022). English. -- AsianLII (2006). English. [State redress act] 国家賠償法 | Kokka baishōhō, Act no. 125/1947, 27 Oct 1947. Hōrei DB. This covers compensation to individuals for damages caused by a public entity acting intentionally unlawfully or negligently. Translated: -- JLT (2021). English. -- EHS 1015 AL (1947). English. Under English title: Law concerning state liability for compensation.
Secondary Sources Japan Shipping Exchange, Inc., Rules of arbitration of Tokyo Maritime Arbitration Commission (TOMAC) of the Japan Shipping Exchange, Inc., Ordinary Rules, 13 Sep 1962, last amended 15 Mar 2024. https://www.jseinc.org/en/tomac/arbitration/ordinary_rules.html. Souichirou Kozuka, “Maritime Law Codification in Japan: Elements Considered and those not Considered,” in Codification of Maritime Law: Challenges, Possibilities and Experience (Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Informa Law from Routledge, 2020), Chapter 17. Subject Searches: Maritime law--Japan.Admiralty--Japan. Primary Sources [Marine transportation law] 海上運送法 | Kaijō unsōhō, Act no. 187/1949 06 Jun 1949. Hōrei DB. Translated:EHS 2260 JT (2012). English. [Commercial code Sec. 3 (art. 684-851)] 商法 第三編 (684-851) | Shōhō dai 3-hen (684-851 jō), Act no. 48/1899, 9 Mar 1899. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2022). English. -- EHS 2200 JA (2017). English. [Act on the international carriage of goods by sea] 国際海上物品運送法 | Kokusai kaijō butsuhin unsōhō, Act no. 172/1957, 13 Jun 1957. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2022). English. -- EHS 2265 JV (1992). English. -- Doing Business in Japan. Appendix 1, Codes and Statutes, Chapter 2. English. [Law concerning prevention of marine pollution and marine disasters] 海洋汚染等及び海上災害の防止に関する法律 | Kaiyō osen tō oyobi kaijō saigai no bōshi ni kansuru hōritsu, Act no. 136/1970, 25 Dec 1970. Hōrei DB. Translated:EHS 7830 YE (1996). English. [Port and harbour act] 港湾法 | Kōwanhō, Act no. 218/1950, 31 May 1950. Hōrei DB. Translated: JLT (2020). English.
Secondary Sources S. Aoki, “Japanese Space Activities Act in the Making,” Zeitschrift für Luft- und Weltraumrecht 61, 1 (2012): 111. Masataka Ogasawara & Joel Greer, Japan in Space: National Architecture, Policy, Legislation and Business in the 21st Century (The Hague, Eleven International Publishing, 2021). Japan Space Law Association [blog]. Content and support provided by organization that offers programming on space law topic relevant to Japan. Paul S. Dempsey, “Japan-Documents,” Space Law (Eagan, MN: West, 2011—), Chapter 61. Available on Westlaw. Souichirou Kozuka, “Japan: National Space Law and Licensing of Commercial Space Activities,” in Routledge Handbook of Commercial Space Law (Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY : Routledge, 2023), Chapter 7. Subject Searches: Space law--Japan. Primary Sources [Basic space act] 宇宙基本法 | Uchū kihonhō, Act no. 43/2008, 28 May 2008. Hōrei DB. Translated:JLT (2022). English. Proscribes the basic principles concerning the development and use of outer space. [Act on the Promotion of Business Activities for the Exploration and Development of Space Resources] 宇宙資源の探査及び開発に関する事業活動の促進に関する法律 | Uchū shigen no tansa oyobi kaihatsu ni kansuru jigyō katsudō no sokushin ni kansuru hōritsu, Act no. 83/2021, 23 Dec 2021. Hōrei DB. Translated:JLT (2023). English (tentative translation). [Civil aeronautics act] 航空法 | Kōkūhō, Act no. 231/1952, 15 Jul 1952. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2021). English. -- Nippon Foundation Library. English. Translation also includes enforcement order. [Narita International Airport Corporation act] 成田国際空港株式会社法 | Narita Kokusai Kōkū Kabushiki Kaishahō, Act no. 124/2003, 18 Jul 2003. Hōrei DB.
Secondary Sources Subject Searches: Animal welfare--Law and legislation--Japan. Primary Sources [Act on welfare and management of animals] 動物の愛護及び管理に関する法律 | Dobutsu no aigo oyobi kanri ni kansuru hōritsu, Act no. 105/1973, 01 Oct 1973. Hōrei DB. Translated:JLT (2021). English. [Act on special measures concerning measures against Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy] 牛海綿状脳症対策特別措置法 | Ushi Kaimenjō Nōshō taisaku tokubetsu sochihō, Act no. 70/2002, 14 Jun 2002. Hōrei DB. [Law for special measures concerning the management and relay of information for individual identification of cattle (The beef traceability law)] 牛の個体識別のための情報の管理及び伝達に関する特別措置法 | Ushi no kotai shikibetsu no tame no jōhō no kanri oyobi dentatsu ni kansuru tokubetsu sochihō, Act no. 72/2003, 11 Jun 2003. Hōrei DB. Translated: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, http://www.maff.go.jp/j/syouan/seisaku/trace/pdf/beef_trace18.pdf (2003). English.
Secondary Sources Japan Fair Trade Commission, http://www.jftc.go.jp/en/. Includes legislation and guidelines, policies, and press releases. John O. Haley, Antitrust in Germany and Japan: The First Fifty Years, 1947-1998 (Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 2001). Simon Vande Walle, Private Antitrust Litigation in the European Union and Japan: A Comparative Perspective (Antwerpen; Portland, OR: Maklu, 2013). Christopher Heath, “Japan,” in International Handbook on Unfair Competition (Munich: C.H. Beck; Portland, OR: Hart, 2013), Section 16. Mitsuo Matsushita, et al., “Japan,” in International Mergers: The Antitrust Process, 3d ed. (London: Sweet & Maxwell, 2001—), Chapter 32. Available in Westlaw. Last updated 2013. K. Arai & H.S. Harris, Jr., “Japan's Antimonopoly Act: Recent Developments in Private Monopolization,” Journal of Antitrust Enforcement 2, 1 (2014): 69. DOI: https://www.doi.org./10.1093/jaenfo/jnt015 Mitsuo Matsushita & Eriko Watanabe, “Japan,” in Merger Control Worldwide, 2d ed. (Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2012), 843. Yusuke Nakano & Taku Matsumoto, “Japan,” in Competition Law in Asia Pacific: A Practical Guide (The Hague, The Netherlands: Kluwer Law International, 2015), Chapter 6. Mark R. Joelson, “Japan,” in An International Antitrust Primer: A Guide to the Operation of United States, European Union, and Other Key Competition Laws in the Global Economy, 4th ed. (Alphen aan den Rijn, The Netherlands: Wolters Kluwer, 2017). Steven Van Uytsel & Yoshiteru Uemura, “Regulating Competition Between Digital Platforms: The Japan Fair Trade Commission’s Preference for Unfair Trade Practices,” in The Digital Economy and Competition Law in Asia (Singapore: Springer, 2021). Hiroshi Oda, “Anti-Monopoly Law,” in Japanese Law, 4th ed. (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2021), Chapter 14. Mergers and Acquisitions Committee, International Mergers and Acquisitions Due Diligence, 2d ed. (Chicago, IL: American Bar Association, Business Law Section, 2022). Country materials include Japan. Kozo Kawai & Madoka Shimada, “Merger Control in Japan: Select Jurisdictional, Procedural and Substantive Developments,” in Research Handbook on Global Merger Control (Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023), Chapter 22. Lexology Panoramic, Cartel Regulation, Japan (London: Law Business Research, frequently updated). Available on Lexology and Bloomberg Law. Lexology Panoramic, Competition Compliance, Japan (London: Law Business Research, frequently updated). Available on Lexology and Bloomberg Law. Lexology Panoramic, Competition Compliance, Japan (London: Law Business Research, frequently updated). Available on Lexology and Bloomberg Law. Subject Searches: Antitrust law--Japan.Competition, Unfair--Japan.Consolidation and merger of corporations--Law and legislation--Japan. Primary Sources [Act on prohibition of private monopolization and maintenance of fair trade (Anti-monopoly act)] 私的独占の禁止及び公正取引の確保に関する法律 (独占禁止法) | Shiteki dokusen no kinshi oyobi kōsei torihiki no kakuho ni kansuru hōritsu (Dokusen kinshihō), Act no. 54/1947, 14 Apr 1947. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2023). English (tentative translation). -- EHS 2270 KA (1991). English. Under English title: Law relating to prohibition of private monopoly and methods of preserving fair trade (Anti-monopoly law). -- WIPO Lex (2009). English. -- Basic Japanese Laws (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1997). English. -- Japan Fair Trade Commission, https://www.jftc.go.jp/en/legislation_gls/amended_ama09/index.html. English. [Unfair competition prevention act] 不正競争防止法 | Fusei kyōsō bōshihō, Act no. 47/1993, 19 May 1993. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2020). English. -- EHS 6895 XA (2015). English. -- AsianLII (2005). English. -- WIPO Lex (2011). English. [Act on elimination and prevention of involvement in bid rigging, etc. and punishments for acts by employees that harm fairness of bidding, etc.] 入札談合等関与行為の排除及び防止並びに職員による入札等の公正を害すべき行為の処罰に関する法律 | Nyūsatsu dangō tō kanyō kōi no haijō oyobi bōshi narabini shokuin ni yoru nyūsatsu tō no kōsei o gaisubeki kōi no shobatsu ni kansuru hōritsu, Act no. 101/2002, 31 Jul 2002. Hōrei DB. Translated: JLT (2021). English. [Act against delay in payment of subcontract proceeds, etc. to subcontractors] 下請代金支払遅延等防止法 | Shitauke daikin shiharai chien tō bōshihō, Act no. 120/1956, 01 Jun 1956. Hōrei DB. Translated:JLT (2021). English. [Act against unjustifiable premiums and misleading representations] 不当景品類及び不当表示防止法 | Futō keihinrui oyobi futō hyōji bōshihō, Act no. 134/1962, 15 May 1962.Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2017). English. -- EHS 6896 XB (2014). English. Under title: Law for preventing unjustifiable lagniappes and misleading representation.
Secondary Sources Tatsuya Nakamura & Luke Nottage, “Arbitration in Japan,” in International Commercial Arbitration in Asia, 3d ed. (Huntington, NY: Juris, 2013—), Chapter 7. Useful brief discussion of practice in international commercial arbitration and enforcement of arbitral awards. James Claxton, et al., “Developing Japan as a Regional Hub for International Dispute Resolution: Dream Come True or Daydream?,” 47 Zeitschrift für Japanisches Recht / Journal of Japanese Law 24, 47 (2019): 109. https://www.zjapanr.de/index.php/zjapanr/issue/view/114. Harald Baum, “Mediation in Japan: Development, Forms, Regulation and Practice of Out-of-court Dispute Resolution,” in Mediation: Principles and Regulation in Comparative Perspective (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2013), Chapter 20. Luke Nottage, International Commercial and Investor-state Arbitration: Australia and Japan in Regional and Global Contexts (Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2021). Michael A. Mueller, “Japan,” in Asia Arbitration Guide (Berlin; Boston: De Gruyter, 2023), Chapter 9. Masafumi Kodama, “Japan,” in Arbitration Law and Practice in Asia, 2d ed. (Huntington, NY: Juris, 2023). Available on Juris Arbitration Law. Subject Searches: Arbitration and award--Japan.International commercial arbitration.Dispute resolution (Law)--Japan. Primary Sources [Arbitration act] 仲裁法 | Chūsaihō, Act no. 138/2003, 01 Aug 2003. Hōrei DB. Supersedes: [Law of procedure in non-contentious cases] 非訟事件手続法 | Hishō jiken tetsuzukihō, 14/1898, 21 Jun 1898. The current law is based on the UNCITRAL arbitration model law. All arbitrations, beginning 1 Mar 2004, must follow the 2003 law. Translated: -- JLT (2023). English. -- World Trade and Arbitration Materials 16, 4 (2004): 167. English. [Civil mediation act] 民事調停法 | Minji chōteihō, Act no. 222/1951, 09 Jun 1951. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2022). English. -- EHS 2360 MA (2011). English. [Act on promotion of use of alternative dispute resolution] 裁判外紛争解決手続の利用の促進に関する法律 | Saibangai funsō kaiketsu tetsuzuki no riyō no sokushin ni kansuru hōritsu, Act no. 151/2004, 01 Dec 2004. Hōrei DB. Translated: -- JLT (2024). English (tentative translation). -- AsianLII (2006). English. [Commercial arbitration rules] 商事仲裁規則 | Shōji chūsai kisoku (2014) These rules were created by the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA). https://www.jcaa.or.jp/en/. Translated:JCAA. English. Tokyo Maritime Arbitration Commission (TOMAC). Ordinary rules, 13 Sep 1962. Last amended 25 Nov 2003. Translated: The Japan Shipping Exchange, Inc. Arbitration at TOMAC.http://www.jseinc.org/en/tomac/arbitration/ordinary_rules_2024.html (2024). English.
Secondary Sources Koichi Nakatani, “Japan,” in The Art Collecting Legal Handbook, 3d ed. (Northampton: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2023), Chapter 21. Subject Searches: Law and art--Japan. Primary Sources [Basic Act for the Promotion of Culture and the Arts] 文化芸術基本法 | Bunkageijutsu kihonhō, Act no. 148/2001, 07 Dec 2001. Hōrei DB. Translated:Agency for Cutural Affairs (2017). English. Outline only.
Secondary Sources Shin Abe, “Japan,” in Cross-border Insolvency: A Commentary on the UNCITRAL Model Law, 3d ed. (London: Globe Law and Business, 2012), 277. Hideyuki Sakai & C. Christian Jacobson, “Japan,” in Collier International Business Insolvency Guide (New York: Lexis Publishing, 2013—), Chapter 29. Available on Lexis. Lexology Panoramic, Restructuring and Insolvency, Japan (London: Law Business Research, frequently updated). Available on Lexology and Bloomberg Law. Hiroshi Oda, “Insolvency Law,” in Japanese Law, 4th ed. (Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2021), Chapter 12. Subject Searches: Bankruptcy--Japan.Business failures--Law and legislation--Japan. Primary Sources [Bankruptcy act] 破産法 | Hasanhō, Act no. 75/2004, 02 Jun 2004. Hōrei DB. Modifies: 1922 law of the same name. Translated: -- JLT (2014). English. -- EHS 2340 LU (2013). English. [Civil rehabilitation act] 民事再生法 | Minji saiseihō, Act no. 225/1999, 22 Dec 1999. Hōrei DB. Repeals: Act no. 72/1922 (Composition). Complete revision of Japanese commercial bankruptcy law. Amended Nov 21 2000 to encompass individuals and salaried persons covering consumer debt, sections 221–245. Translated: -- JLT (2023). English. -- EHS 2335 LS (2014). English. [Corporate reorganization act] 会社更生法 | Kaisha kōseihō, Act no. 154/2002, 13 Dec 2002. Hōrei DB. Repeals: Act no. 172 /1952, with the same name. Translated: -- JLT (2023). English (tentative translation). -- EHS 2350 LZ (2014). English. [Act on recognition of and assistance for foreign insolvency proceedings] 外国倒産処理手続の承認援助に関する法律 | Gaikoku tōsan shori tetsuzuki no shōnin enjo ni kansuru hōritsu, Act no. 129/2000, 21 Nov 2000. Hōrei DB. Translated:JLT (2021). English.