For Businesses and Individual Entrepreneurs
In today’s globalized environment, it is increasingly common for business partners to be foreign corporations or for users to be located overseas. When a contract designates foreign law as its governing law, that law must be reviewed to avoid unexpected risks.
With data protection regulations becoming stricter worldwide, compliance requirements vary by region. For example, the GDPR applies when users reside in Europe, while the CCPA applies when users reside in California. Each must be reviewed to ensure compliance.
In California, employment relationships are generally at-will, meaning they may be terminated at any time by either the employer or the employee. However, this does not allow arbitrary dismissal. Discrimination laws are strictly enforced, and if termination is found to involve discriminatory motives, it may be invalidated and give rise to claims for damages. In particularly egregious cases, punitive damages may also be awarded.
For more details on termination and punitive damages, please see my related blog post.
Please note: This blog post is available in Japanese only.
In Japan, there are many attorneys who hold foreign bar qualifications. For matters such as reviewing laws, regulations, or contracts, they will likely be able to assist without difficulty. However, when it comes to disputes or litigation in a foreign country, ultimately it is essential to have a local attorney.
But is consulting a local attorney in English truly sufficient? Even in Japanese, legal terminology and procedures can be highly technical and difficult to fully understand. When this occurs in a foreign country like the United States—and in a non-native language such as English—the challenge only grows. Even if an attorney speaks Japanese as a second language, cultural and experiential differences often create subtle gaps in understanding that Japanese clients may find disconcerting. Miscommunication that leads to misunderstanding must be avoided at all costs.
I was admitted to the Japan Bar in 2012 and, while practicing in Tokyo, handled a wide range of cases not only related to corporate matters but also including civil litigation, inheritance, real estate, divorce, traffic accidents, criminal defense, and juvenile cases. I am a Japan-born and raised attorney licensed in both Japan and the United States. Clients often tell me that my approachable personality, responsiveness, and speed of communication are my strengths. Of course, consultations are available in native-level Japanese, so please feel free to reach out to me.
What particularly distinguishes my practice is that I am based in Irvine, California, where I also engage in courtroom representation in civil, family, and criminal cases. This gives me strong insight into local court practice. In addition, living in California allows me to be closely attuned to the culture and environment here.
Consultations are available by phone or online (e.g., Zoom), so no matter where you are in Japan, you can access my services. Whether you seek one-time advice or a continuing retainer relationship, I can provide flexible support. Please do not hesitate to contact me.