Legal Services

June 2004

Japanese government plans to translate domestic laws such as the Civil Code and commercial Code into English. This will facilitate foreign investment and help domestic firms expand their international business activities. The government will form a project team on the issue within the government's task force on judicial reform. The translated laws will be available via the Internet and in published form to allow anyone to access them. Some ministries and private companies have translated certain Japanese laws into English as the occasion demands. However, such translations have so far been limited, and a number of mistranslations have been pointed out. In addition, English translations of Japanese laws have not been unified, with differing translations of certain legal terms. Such translations have not gained much credibility. Thus, foreign investors have expressed a reluctance to invest in Japan, and disputes over international trade matters have often been taken to overseas courts instead of Japanese courts. It is expected that the English translations of Japanese laws also will help vitalize economy. The project team consists of lawyers and legal representatives of various firms. It will decide on unified translation rules and start translating the Civil Code as well as laws directly related to business, such as the Antimonopoly Law. The task force's mandate will expire at the end of November, after which the government plans to form a new project team in the Cabinet. (June 13, the Yomiuri Shimbun, the Daily Yomiuri)