Many aspects of conducting business in Japan are touched directly or indirectly by legal considerations. It is therefore useful to have a working knowledge of the Japanese legal system and the Japanese constitution. It is also helpful to know about the major codes, laws, and regulations that relate to business. For example, there are legal aspects to establishing a foreign business or branch in Japan, importing and exporting products, and protecting intellectual property.

It is also extremely valuable to have a general understanding of the culturally imbedded attitudes held by the Japanese relating to legal matters. These include the views about the role of lawyers in business, the settling of disputes, and the function and importance of contracts, all of which are quite different from attitudes typically held by Westerners.

While this section is intended to be informative about legal matters of interest to the Western businessperson, it is in no way designed to serve as a definitive guide to Japanese law. Anyone embarking upon business transactions in Japan is well-advised to seek legal guidance from an attorney who specializes in this arena.