Date: October 1, 2015 (Thu) 09:00-11:00
Venue: German Chamber of Commerce in Japan, Sanbancho KS Bldg., 5F, 2-4 Sanbancho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Speakers: Mr. Nobuchika Mamine, Attorney-at-Law (Germany)
Mr. Shogo Matsunaga, Attorney-at-Law (Japan)

Significant changes are on the horizon for Japan labor law, including an easing of worktime regulations for certain professionals and changes in the flex-time system.

Such developments are part of efforts to liberalize labor practices in a country where market needs have changed to focus increasingly on mid-career recruitment, but where workforces are still largely employed on a lifelong basis.

While Japanese lawmakers catch up, EU and U.S. companies in Japan have no choice but to utilize the current legal instruments developed by the law and jurisprudence for the Japanese working environment.

Particularly useful instruments for EU and U.S. companies are the employment rules (shugyo kisoku) and dismissal rules. If accurately applied, such rules can greatly strengthen management practices and enhance their efficiency.

For nearly a decade, attorneys Nobuchika Mamine and Shogo Matsunaga have been advising non-Japanese companies for Sonderhoff & Einsel Law and Patent Office, where they deal with specific, concrete legal situations on a daily basis. It is their pleasure to share, for the benefit of EU and U.S. companies, their experience and in-depth understanding of Japan-specific challenges.