On May 21, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received the proposed vision from the Headquarters for 100-Year Life Society Strategy of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) at the Prime Minister’s Office. Read more: japan.kantei.go.jp/98_abe/actions/201905/_00030.html
Regulatory
EU and Japan Sign Breakthrough Free Trade Agreement
In a boost for global free trade, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and EU Presidents Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk yesterday signed the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to lay the ground work for the creation of an open trade zone covering over 600 million people. Also known as JEFTA, the deal has been long in the making, but was […]
Path to Power: New METI Report on Corporate Law and International Competitiveness
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said it has released a report on Corporate Law and International Competitiveness, covering ideal approaches to legal functions in Japanese companies. It is the result of work by the Study Group for Development of Ideal Approaches to Legal Functions in Japanese Companies for Enhancement of International Competitiveness, which aims at discussing policy […]
JAXA and JAMA Work Together on AI Systems for Self-Driving Cars
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) said that it started collaboration with the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) on quality assurance of AI platforms designed to drive autonomous automobiles. In working with Japan’s car industry, JAXA aims to obtain the knowledge necessary to develop safe AI software onboard spacecraft. Through developing spacecraft and other pursuits, JAXA has acquired and built […]
Japan Relaxes Visa Requirements for Indian Nationals
Japan will relax requirements for multiple-entry visa for short-term stay for Indian nationals from Jan. 1, 2018. The government will simplify visa application documents and expand the scope of eligible applicants. (1) Simplification of visa application documents The “Applicant’s Employment Certificate” and “Explanation Letter stating the reason of applying for multiple-entry-visa” will be exempted in applying for multiple-entry-visa. In principle, […]
Japan Ramps up Business Succession Support Amid Aging Owners
Small and Medium Enterprises form the backbone of Japan’s economy. They employ the majority of people and account for a large share of the country’s economic power. Yet as the aging population of business owners increases, hundreds of thousands of SMEs in Japan are about to face the time when they must hand over their businesses to the next generation. […]
Japan Patent Office Opens Public Services Center in Osaka
The Japan Patent Office (JPO) will open the INPIT-KANSAI center of intellectual property public services on July 31. The new office is located in Osaka’s Grand Front Osaka Building and aims to support the business growth of firms in the Kansai region, including SMEs and startups. It is part of the Japanese government’s push to foster local economies. The new […]
