On May 21, the Subcommittee on Civil Affairs and International Strategy (Chairman: Masahiko Shibayama, member of the House of Representatives), a subsidiary organization of the Party's Research Commission on the Judicial System, discussed recommendations on the government's support system to respond to increasing legal difficulties encountered by Japanese companies and Japanese nationals in other countries.

It has become common in recent years for Japanese companies and Japanese nationals to find themselves parties to legal disputes in other countries resulting from, for example, significantly disadvantageous contracts, large compensation liabilities, and unexpected arrests or confiscations. The response from the government of Japan has not necessarily been adequate, and these events have become impediments to the international expansion of corporate activities.

The Subcommittee recommended: (1) establishment of a general coordinating council and other organizations to enable ministries and agencies to share information more quickly and accurately and discuss responses in the national interest; (2) training of legal personnel with the requisite language skills and international perspective; (3) assistance and support in collaboration with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO); and (4) better communication of information about legal systems in other countries.

Diet members in attendance commented about the "need to clarify who will take leadership" and the "need to formulate an overall roadmap."

The Subcommittee will continue to study measures that will strengthen systems on the legal side to support and improve the international competitiveness of Japanese companies.