Masako Takahata
Director and Chair of the International Committee
Japan In-House Lawyers Association
Trends and features of Japan foreign investment
The UN Conference on Trade and Development’s latest World Investment Report 2022 shows that global flows of foreign direct investment (FDI) have recovered to pre-pandemic levels since 2021, reaching USD1.58 trillion, up 64% from the exceptionally low level in 2020.
The pandemic had a sudden and considerable impact not only on public health but also on the global economy. Amid a slow but steady recovery, many countries worldwide have been facing a food and energy crisis exacerbated by the Russia- Ukraine conflict. Profoundly affected by the economic turmoil followed by political uncertainty, investors have been urged to review and refine their investment strategies and countries to invest in.
In the meantime, Japanese multinationals, among the world’s largest investors, are still struggling against the economic crisis triggered by the pandemic, with FDI outflows virtually halving by 49% to USD116 billion in 2020 from USD227 billion in 2019, contributing to FDI stocks of USD1.98 trillion in 2021, according to the report … (Read more)
Investment prospects for Japanese enterprises in India
India and Japan have historically shared deep cultural and economic relationships. Over time, both countries have undertaken efforts to sustain and strengthen their economic ties. Japan is currently one of the largest investors in India, having made cumulative investment of USD38.13 billion as of September 2022, with a total of about 1,455 Japanese companies operating across the country. … (Read more)
Gaurav Dani
Founding and Senior Partner
IndusLaw
Saurav Kumar
Partner
IndusLaw
Swathi Sreenath
Principal Associate
IndusLaw
Commercial dispute mechanism for foreign investment in India
The dispute redressal mechanism in India is a well-established system with multiple options for the resolution of disputes. The available options for a litigant include arbitration, mediation, litigation in civil or commercial courts, and specialised forums like the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), the Intellectual Property Appellate Board, etc. Parties can choose the mechanism that best suits their needs, depending on the nature and complexity of the dispute. … (Read more)
Harshit Anand
Partner
AP & Partners
Kamaljeet Singh
Partner
AP & Partners
Harshil Mehta
Associate
AP & Partners
IP protection in India for Japanese businesses
India-Japan relations have traditionally been extraordinarily strong, and the people of both countries have engaged in cultural and business exchanges for centuries. As the influence of a robust IP regime on propensity towards business investment is widely acknowledged, the co-operation in IP protection between the two countries has been very impressive to date. … (Read more)
Joginder Singh
Partner
LexOrbis
Rajeev Kumar
Partner
LexOrbis
Strategies for foreign companies investing in the Philippines
The Philippines has seen an increase in economic activity this year as the country continues its slow but steady recovery from the effects of the pandemic, as supported by key legislative and regulatory reforms that are squarely aimed at invigorating a stagnating economy. These measures have been designed to attract capital and technology from overseas investors, with foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country primed to increase amid a more relaxed regulatory landscape. … (Read more)
Sylvette Tankiang
Chief Financial Officer
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)
Franchette Acosta
Senior Partner
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)
Maria Carla Mapalo
Partner
Villaraza & Angangco (V&A Law)
Investment liberalisation and tax reform in the Philippines
Like any other country in the world, the Philippines was strongly hit by the unexpected shocks and havoc wreaked by the global pandemic. The government partly responded by recalibrating and pursuing fiscal, structural and administrative reforms directed at foreign and local investors. New laws were enacted that further made the country accessible to investments and conducive to starting and doing business. … (Read more)
Benedicta Du-Baladad
Founding Partner and CEO
Du-Baladad & Associates
South African investment strategies for Japanese businesses
South Africa offers significant foreign direct investment opportunities, especially with the rapid expansion of opportunities on the African continent. Its location at the southern tip makes it a gateway to markets within and beyond Africa, and its abundant natural resources including gold, platinum, diamonds and coal make it a prime destination. … (Read more)
Ezra Davids
Chairman and Senior Partner
Bowmans
Charles Douglas
Co-Head of Mergers & Acquisitions
Bowmans
Advice for Japanese companies investing in Taiwan
Japan has always been active in investing in Taiwan, with 11,654 investments totalling about USD25.9 billion by the end of 2022. Although this number is almost the same as in the US, the number of Japanese investments in Taiwan far exceeds that of the US, with 7,694 investments. … (Read more)
Albert Kao
Partner
Formosa Transnational
Chen Wen-Chih
Partner
Formosa Transnational
Hung Pang-Heng
Partner
Formosa Transnational
Managing and resolving disputes in Taiwan
When doing business in Taiwan, it is more important to take preventive measures than to deal with disputes after a conflict occurs. Specifically, when concluding a contract related to business development, the important factors below should be considered. … (Read more)
Albert Kao
Partner
Formosa Transnational
Chen Wen-Chih
Partner
Formosa Transnational
Hung Pang-Heng
Partner
Formosa Transnational
Protecting IP and intangible assets in Taiwan
The major laws in the intellectual property (IP) field in Taiwan include the Patent Act, the Trademark Act, the Copyright Act and the Trade Secret Act, among others. To obtain protection, applications must be filed and approved to register patents and trademarks, while copyright and trade secret protection require no registration. For patents and trademarks, Taiwan adopts the first-to-file registration system. The right is generally granted to the first applicant for a particular patent, and/or trademark, if all relevant legal requirements are satisfied. … (Read more)
Jane Wang
Partner
Formosa Transnational
Brian Hsieh
Partner
Formosa Transnational
Monica Wang
Partner
Formosa Transnational
Legal overview for Japanese investment in Thailand
Thailand maintains its position as a popular destination for foreign investment, with a stable economy, favourable investment climate and strategic location in Southeast Asia. In 2022, foreign investment increased by 56% to THB129 billion (USD3.75 billion). … (Read more)
Mallika Esposito Seu Margherita
Partner
ILCT
Palawi Bunnag
Partner
ILCT
