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With Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters becoming increasingly regulated around the world, all business entities need to stay up to date on these issues and ensure compliance with the latest national and international legislation.

Many jurisdictions have issued new legislation and guidelines regarding international supply chains, representing an important concern for many business entities. Companies nowadays must take actions to comply with new international obligations, such as conducting Human Rights Due Diligence to identify and mitigate adverse human rights impacts. Given the growing scrutiny of businesses’ human rights ‘footprint’ in recent times, such actions are essential to minimise the risk of lengthy litigation and costly reputational damage for companies.

If you carry on business in Japan or have contractual relationships with Japanese companies directly, or indirectly through international supply chains, you need to be aware of and ensure conpliance with Japanese law in relation to human rights, including labor law. Additionally, it is important to be aware of expectations contained in government guidelines, such as the “Guidelines on Respecting Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains” published in 2022 by the Japanese government (“METI” – Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry-).

With our extensive knowledge and experience regarding Japanese business law, our Business and Human Rights practice can help your company succeed in its operations in and with Japan.

For more details about us, please click here.
The Japanese website is here.

With Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) matters becoming increasingly regulated around the world, all business entities need to stay up to date on these issues and ensure compliance with the latest national and international legislation.

Many jurisdictions have issued new legislation and guidelines regarding international supply chains, representing an important concern for many business entities. Companies nowadays must take actions to comply with new international obligations, such as conducting Human Rights Due Diligence to identify and mitigate adverse human rights impacts. Given the growing scrutiny of businesses’ human rights ‘footprint’ in recent times, such actions are essential to minimise the risk of lengthy litigation and costly reputational damage for companies.

If you carry on business in Japan or have contractual relationships with Japanese companies directly, or indirectly through international supply chains, you need to be aware of and ensure conpliance with Japanese law in relation to human rights, including labor law. Additionally, it is important to be aware of expectations contained in government guidelines, such as the “Guidelines on Respecting Human Rights in Responsible Supply Chains” published in 2022 by the Japanese government (“METI” – Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry-).

With our extensive knowledge and experience regarding Japanese business law, our Business and Human Rights practice can help your company succeed in its operations in and with Japan.

For more details about us,
please click here.
The Japanese website is here.

How we can help you

Providing legal advice based on Japanese law

When taking the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and other relevant fundamental principles into account, each country tends to establish its own laws and/or guidelines for business and human rights and Japan is no exception.

We, as Japanese lawyers specialized in corporate and business law, can provide you with legal advice based not only on individual domestic laws, including labor law in Japan, but also guidelines related to business and human rights.

Providing legal advice based on Japanese law

When taking the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and other relevant fundamental principles into account, each country tends to establish its own laws and/or guidelines for business and human rights and Japan is no exception.

We, as Japanese lawyers specialized in corporate and business law, can provide you with legal advice based not only on individual domestic laws, including labor law in Japan, but also guidelines related to business and human rights.

Key contact

Attorney-at-law

Ken Takahashi

Admitted to practice in Japan (2009)
Kyoto Bar Association

Ken specializes in corporate and commercial practice for his corporate clients, including small and medium-sized enterprises and medical corporations, in various practice areas such as M&A, business contracts review, and dispute resolution. He also acts as the legal counsel for many companies.
With such extensive knowledge and experience, he is dedicated to providing legal support on business and human rights matters to corporations of all sizes.
Ken also provides legal advice on international business law, especially in relation to Australia. His Australian legal practice ranges from assisting Japanese companies with their investments in Australia, including matters regarding Australian Modern Slavery Act practice, to providing advice and assistance in relation to wills and inheritance for Japanese individuals who own assets both in Japan and Australia.

  • Corporate and Commercial Practice
  • International Practice (Australia and Asian countries)
  • Foreign Investment in Japan (https://kslawyers.jp/)
  • Business and Human Rights Practice
  • Inheritance Practice (Domestic and International)
  • Sports and Entertainment Practice

Attorney-at-law

Ken Takahashi

Admitted to practice in Japan (2009)
Kyoto Bar Association

Ken specializes in corporate and commercial practice for his corporate clients, including small and medium-sized enterprises and medical corporations, in various practice areas such as M&A, business contracts review, and dispute resolution. He also acts as the legal counsel for many companies.
With such extensive knowledge and experience, he is dedicated to providing legal support on business and human rights matters to corporations of all sizes.
Ken also provides legal advice on international business law, especially in relation to Australia. His Australian legal practice ranges from assisting Japanese companies with their investments in Australia, including matters regarding Australian Modern Slavery Act practice, to providing advice and assistance in relation to wills and inheritance for Japanese individuals who own assets both in Japan and Australia.

  • Corporate and Commercial Practice
  • International Practice (Australia and Asian countries)
  • Foreign Investment in Japan (https://kslawyers.jp/)
  • Business and Human Rights Practice
  • Inheritance Practice (Domestic and International)
  • Sports and Entertainment Practice

Advisor(external)

Shinichi Ago

(Professor Emeritus of Kyusyu University)

Shinichi Ago is a former professor of international law at Kyusyu University, Fukuoka, and Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto. He holds an LL.B and an LL.M from Tokyo University and a Ph.D from University of Geneva. Professor Ago is currently serving the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations. He was a judge at the Asian Development Bank Administrative Tribunal for 9 years until 2022. He is a member of the Asian Society of International Law, the International Law Association and the International Society for Labour and Social Security Law.

  • University of Tokyo（LL.B.), 1971
  • University of Tokyo (LL.M), 1973
  • University of Geneva (International and Development Studies, Doctoral Course) 1977 (submitted Doctoral thesis and received Ph.D. degree in 1989)

Shinichi Ago

(Professor Emeritus of Kyusyu University)

Shinichi Ago is a former professor of international law at Kyusyu University, Fukuoka, and Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto. He holds an LL.B and an LL.M from Tokyo University and a Ph.D from University of Geneva. Professor Ago is currently serving the ILO Committee of Experts on the Application of Conventions and Recommendations. He was a judge at the Asian Development Bank Administrative Tribunal for 9 years until 2022. He is a member of the Asian Society of International Law, the International Law Association and the International Society for Labour and Social Security Law.

  • University of Tokyo（LL.B.), 1971
  • University of Tokyo (LL.M), 1973
  • University of Geneva (International and Development Studies, Doctoral Course) 1977 (submitted Doctoral thesis and received Ph.D. degree in 1989)

Enquiry form

For any enquiries or further details of the support our business and human rights practice can provide, please get in touch with our contact form below.

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    CheckNOTES

    A） We, as qualified Japanese lawyers, do not take part in any illegal activity including money laundering, and are obliged to verify the identity of clients and retain records under the rules of the bar.
    Therefore, we may conduct verification of your identity when we accept your request of our legal services. We may also request to communicate with lawyers you have retained in your country in order to confirm the legality of your request.
    If we suspect money laundering or any illegal matter at any stage, we retain the right to decline your request for an initial consultation or terminate our engagement forthwith without notice.

    B） We, Kensei Law Office, will collect information provided in this form in order to respond to your enquiries.
    If you do not provide the required information, we may not be able to assist you appropriately. We will not disclose your personal information to any third party unless we are required by law or have your permission to do so.
    For further information on how we handle your personal information, please read our privacy policy.

    Confirm and agree to the precautions before inquiring

    For professionals in foreign jurisdictions

    We have fostered our relationships with a range of professionals including legal advisers and international lawyers practicing outside of Japan for a long time.

    For example, when our Japanese corporate clients are considering entering foreign markets, we have given them referrals to lawyers practicing in the relevant jurisdictions or assisted the clients together with such lawyers. Conversely, we have also received referrals from lawyers practicing overseas and worked with those lawyers to assist foreign corporations in entering the Japanese market.

    Given the need for sifting through multi-jurisdictional business and human rights laws and guidelines, we strive to develop and deepen relationships with lawyers and other professionals in other jurisdictions in order to streamline support in this area for companies all around the world.

    If you are a lawyer or a professional who deals with business and human rights practice, please contact us at the following email address. When you have an opportunity to come to Japan on a business or private trip and wish to see us, please do not hesitate to contact us. We sincerely welcome your contact and visit.

    Key contact in English：k-takahashi@kensei-law.jp (Ken Takahashi, Partner)

    We look forward to working with you.