Japan outbound investment back on track
The pandemic has pushed Japan from its reign as the world’s largest investor. As the global recovery rolls out, the country is ready to take back its position through various investments in the infrastructure sector and renewable energy projects.
Global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows dropped by 35% in 2020 to USD1 trillion from USD1.5 trillion in 2019, according to the latest UN Conference on Trade and Development’s (UNCTAD) “World Investment Report 2021”. As a key player in foreign direct investment, Japan is not an exception.
The report published in June last year showed that Japan’s FDI outflows significantly decreased by 49% to USD116 billion in 2020 from USD227 billion in 2019 and were the world’s second-largest FDI outflows after China, which remained high at USD133 billion in 2020, a slight decrease from USD137 billion in 2019. … (Read more)
Strategies for foreign companies investing in Bangladesh
Bangladesh is an emerging economy in Asia that could maintain its steady GDP growth and a stable BB- credit rating as per S&P and Fitch in recent years. Its large labour force and big consumer market have made it an attractive investment destination for manufacturing and services industries, complemented by its infrastructure development potentials. Japanese investors have been one of the forefront runners in investing in Bangladesh. … (Read more)
Arbitration issues for foreign investors in Bangladesh
Foreign direct investment (FDI) is a key driver of economic development of an emerging country like Bangladesh. There are several methods of injecting FDI into a country, but the most popular structure is either through cross-border joint ventures or direct acquisition of shares in local companies. … (Read more)
Strategic investment in India for Japanese investors
India is the world’s sixth-largest economy and expected to continue growing in the next decade, with much of success and growth due to its appeal to foreign investors – attracted by the size of the opportunity, demographics, low-cost manufacturing and rule of law. … (Read more)
IP protection in India for Japanese businesses
India is the second-largest country in the world by population, the world’s largest democracy, and the largest English-speaking nation in the world. Its population is expected to rise from 1.211 billion to 1.522 billion during 2011-2036, an increase of 25.7% in 25 years. The country has the largest youth population and the third-largest group of scientists and technicians globally. … (Read more)
Legal updates for Japanese investors in the Philippines
The Philippines and Japan share a long history of economic partnership and co-operation. Japan ranks as a top strategic economic partner and is the Philippines’ top export market and second-biggest import supplier, as well as its second-largest source of foreign direct investments (FDIs). According to the Japan External Trade Organisation, the presence of Japanese companies in the manufacturing industry is on the rise. There is also an uptrend in the investment fields of IT business process outsourcing, electronics, retail and infrastructure. … (Read more)
Nilo Divina
Managing Partner
DivinaLaw
Ciselie Marie Gamo-Sisayan
Partner
DivinaLaw
Shiela Esquivel
Associate
DivinaLaw
Practice and developments for investing in Taiwan
Since 2019, the world has faced major challenges from the pandemic and increasing global conflict and competition among superpowers. However, Taiwan has enjoyed a new economic boom during this period, and new business opportunities are being pursued and explored by local and foreign investors. Following the increase of business and investment activities in Taiwan, this article shares insights regarding the framework and recent developments for Japanese enterprises looking for investment and business opportunities. … (Read more)
Duties of a company’s ‘responsible person’ in Taiwan
Foreign companies establishing a subsidiary in Taiwan or becoming major shareholders of a Taiwanese company need to appoint personnel to serve on the management board. This article will introduce the responsibilities of two types of “responsible persons” – directors and managerial officers – as provided in the Taiwan Company Act. … (Read more)
Lee Li-pu
CEO and Managing Partner
Formosan Brothers
Chen Chiu-Hua
Managing Partner
Formosan Brothers
Pan Yi-Chun
Partner
Formosan Brothers
New era of labour dispute cases in Taiwan
Taiwan is considered as having relatively better protection for employees than employers in terms of legal and practical settings. Taiwan’s Labour Standards Act has been amended 16 times in the past 10 years, and the amendments give more protection to employees. While the Code of Civil Procedure governs litigation and civil court procedure, the Labour Incident Act that applies only to labour dispute cases took effect on 1 January 2020, opening a new era of labour dispute cases in Taiwan. … (Read more)
Samrong Hwang
Senior Partner
Formosa Transnational
Albert Kao
Partner
Formosa Transnational
Pang-Heng Hung
Partner
Formosa Transnational
Guide for Japanese investment in Thailand
For the past five consecutive years, Japan has been the top investor in Thailand under the Foreign Business Operations Act, 1999 (FBOA). The Board of Investment (BoI) of Thailand, the governmental authority responsible for granting investment promotions, announced that Japan topped the list of foreign direct investment (FDI) source countries with a combined investment value of THB80.7 billion (USD2.4 billion) for 178 projects in 2021. … (Read more)
Nuanporn Wechsuwanarux
Partner
Chandler MHM
Susumu Hanawa
Partner
Chandler MHM
Kornkitti Sivamoke
Senior Associate
Chandler MHM
Investment strategies in Vietnam for foreign businesses
Vietnam has long been an attractive investment destination for foreign investors, thanks to its strategic location, socio-political stability and low-cost yet skilful labour force. Despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic, Vietnam has proved that it can effectively handle the crisis and get its economy back on track post-pandemic. … (Read more)
Recent IP protection measures in Brazil
Japan is a key strategic partner for Brazil in Asia. The official ties between the two countries can be traced back to the signing of the Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation in 1895. … (Read more)
IP protection in Germany for Japanese companies
In late 2021, a German-Japanese symposium attended by 400 international guests was held at the German Patent and Trademark Office (GPTO). The symposium titled “Patent infringement proceedings in Japan and Germany” demonstrated the close partnership between Japan and Germany in IP protection, with speakers including the former president of the Japanese Supreme Court for IP and the presiding judge at the German Federal Supreme Court. … (Read more)
Peter Reckenthäler
Patent Attorney
Cohausz & Florack
Gottfried Schüll
Patent Attorney and Partner
Cohausz & Florack
Compliance challenges for foreign investment in the US
While the US remains a top destination for foreign investment, certain laws and regulations create challenges for foreigners seeking to conduct business there. Failure to comply with these laws and regulations can lead to civil and criminal penalties, substantial administrative burdens, legal expense and unsatisfied business objectives. This article discusses some of the key challenges companies face when investing in the US, and certain compliance risks to consider. … (Read more)
Jeffrey L Kessler
Co-Executive Chairman, Antitrust and Competition Co-Chair
Winston Strawn
Eva W Cole
Partner, Antitrust and Competition Co-Chair
Winston Strawn
Heather P Lamberg
Partner, Antitrust and Competition Chair
Winston Strawn