Client Advisory on Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): Developing Legal Issues in Japan

We have received a number of inquiries about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and what organizations should be doing to mitigate the impact of the virus on their staff, supply chains, operations and other aspects of their business in Japan.

We have prepared this bulletin as an overview of some key legal issues for businesses operating in Japan or dealing with Japanese counterparties to consider, to offer some practical steps for businesses to take. These include contract and commercial matters (force majeure, material adverse change and dealings with subcontractors), employment matters (working from home, forced leave and changes in working hours) and company matters (developments with respect to delays in timely disclosure and convening virtual shareholder meetings that may affect investors in Japanese companies).

We hope this bulletin will be helpful to you as you navigate your way in doing business in Japan during these unprecedented circumstances.