by：Sunida Mahapiroon、Surachai ThetphukIn November 2024, Thailand issued a Royal Decree, Ministerial Regulations, and regulations concerning the Employee Welfare Fund, which were enacted under the Labour Protection Act B.E. 2541 (1998). The purpose of the Employee Welfare Fund is to provide financial security for employees in cases of resignation or death, while also offering alleviate hardship in situations where an employer terminates an employee or terminates without paying severance or other entitlements. Companies with  10 or more employees are required to enroll their employees in the Employee Welfare Fund unless the company has already enrolled them in a Provident Fund, or…

by：Reki HaradaFor more legal insights, see Vol. 1 Japan Series Article Startup Visa, which offers a deeper analysis of Japan’s Startup Visa.Enhanced Opportunities for Foreign EntrepreneursWhat is the Startup Visa?What Does This Mean for Foreign Entrepreneurs?Key Details of the Startup Visa ProgramHow GVA HelpEnhanced Opportunities for Foreign EntrepreneursAs part of Japan’s ongoing efforts to strengthen industrial competitiveness and establish a global hub for economic activities, the government has announced an increase to the maximum duration of the Startup Visa.Effective January 1, 2025, the period of stay under the Startup Visa will increase from the current maximum of eighteen (18) months…

by：Poom KerdsangFor more legal insights, see Vol. 2 Startup Visa Duration Increase Two Years Starting January 2025, which offers a deeper analysis of Japan’s Startup Visa.A. What is the Startup Visa System?B. Why Startup Visa System?C. Benefits of the Startup Visa System1. Time-Saving2. Cost-Effective3. AutonomyD. The procedure for applying for the Startup Visa.1. Preparing the necessary documents.2. Applying to the authority3. Receiving the result.4. Submitting visa applicationE. After a Startup Visa is obtained1. Setting up physical Office2. Incorporation3. Preparing for the Start of business,4. Various administrative applications.5. Application for changing the Status of Residence to Business Manager VisaF. Restrictions on…

by：Saiful Aziz、Poom KerdsangDetail of the Business Manager VisaRequirements for obtaining a Business Manager VisaThe Periods of Stay for Business Manager VisaThe advantages of the Business Manager VisaThis is the fifth in a series of articles from GVA Global LPC providing basic legal information to foreign companies and individuals planning to do business in Japan. This series of articles will highlight Japanese laws and regulations, which are central to their need to smoothen their business venture into the Japanese market. Our past article regarding the procedure to establish local companies in Japan indicated that there is no restriction for foreign entities…

by：Takuma Yoshioka、Saiful Aziz、Poom KerdsangThis article is the fourth in a series of articles from GVA LPC providing basic legal information to foreign companies and individuals planning to do business in Japan. This series of articles will highlight Japanese laws and regulations, which are central to their need to smoothen their business venture into the Japanese market. For foreign companies that intend to do business in Japan that involves the importation of food products into Japan, it should be noted that in Japan, there is no requirement to obtain a specific or special ‘license’ to be able to have the right to…

by：Mai Miyamoto、Poom Kerdsang、Saiful Aziz1. Overview of the Labor Standards Act2. Overview of the Labor Contract ActThis article is the third in a series of articles from GVA GLOBAL LPC providing basic legal information to foreign companies and individuals planning to do business in Japan. This series of articles will highlight Japanese laws and regulations, which are central to their need to smoothen their business venture into the Japanese market.In Japan, the Labor Standards Act and the Labor Contract Act stand as principal laws that delineate the rights of workers and the duties of employers. These laws, while prioritizing the protection…

by：Takuma Yoshioka、Poom Kerdsang、Saiful AzizThis is the second in a series of articles from GVA LPC providing basic legal information to foreign companies and individuals who are planning to do business in Japan. This series of articles will highlight Japanese laws and regulations which are central to their need to smoothen their business venture into the Japanese market. For foreign companies that are planning to venture into the Japanese market, it is vital to consider protecting their intellectual property rights. Intellectual property rights refer to an assignment of property rights through patents, copyrights, and trademarks. The protection of intellectual property is crucial…

by：Mai Miyamoto、Poom Kerdsang、Saiful AzizA. Representative OfficeB. Branch OfficeC. Subsidiary Company (Japanese Subsidiary)SummaryThis is the first in a series of articles from GVA LPC providing basic legal information to foreign companies and individuals that are planning to do business in Japan. This series of articles will highlight Japanese laws and regulations which are central to their need to smoothen their business venture into the Japanese market. Foreign business operators need to be well prepared for setting up their businesses in Japan. This article will briefly explain the types of business entities in Japan. The following are the type of legal business entities…

by：Chikashi Kaneko、Vann Allen P. dela Cruz1.     What is the background of the revision?The Philippine Constitution provides that the operation of a “public utility” shall only be granted to Philippine citizens or to corporations owned by Philippine citizens by at least sixty percent (60%). Thus, limiting foreign ownership over public utilities to a maximum of forty percent (40%). However, the Philippine Constitution did not define what is a “public utility” leaving the definition to government regulators or even the courts.Based on previous rules, “public utility” and “public service” were interchangeable with each other. In the case of Republic of the Philippines…

by：Chikashi Kaneko、Miracle Anne Rodriguez　Arbitration is a mode of dispute resolution under Republic Act No. 876 or the “Arbitration Law” and Republic Act No. 9285 or the “Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Act”. It is a voluntary dispute resolution process in which one or more arbitrators, appointed in accordance with the agreement of the parties, or the applicable rules, resolve a dispute by rendering an award.  　Arbitration and other ADR methods are favored over court actions, which usually take a much longer time to resolve. Unlike in court trials, the parties to arbitration are free to decide on the applicable substantive law, the…

A Qualified Advocate and Solicitor under the Malaysia law（Not admitted in Japan）  /  Saiful AZIZSince 2009, the Malaysian government has gradually liberalized foreign participated in the services sector as a way to encourage foreign investment to invest in Malaysia. The liberalization of these service subsectors would mean that equity restriction for foreigner ownership is abolished and would permit 100 percent foreign ownership in these subsectors. To strengthen the liberalization “incentive”, the government also removed the Foreign Investment Committee (FIC) Guideline. By removing this Guideline, approval of the FIC is not required for transaction for merger, takeover and acquisitions of interest…