Enactment of amendments to the Act on Rationalization of Distribution and Proper Trade of Food, etc., and to the Wholesale Market Act

On June 11, 2025, the amended Act on Rationalization of Distribution and Proper Trade of Food, etc. and the Wholesale Market Act ("this Amendment") was enacted . The revised Basic Act on Food, Agriculture and Rural Areas in June 2024 prescribed the assurance of food security as a fundamental principle (Article 1) and also provided that the Government take into consideration any necessary measures to ensure reasonable costs for sustainable supplies. This Amendment specifies the measures that the Government must take in line with the above provisions.

The Japan Fair Trade Commission Published "Enforcement of the Antimonopoly Act in FY2024."

On May 1, 2025, the Japan Fair Trade Commission ("the JFTC") published "Enforcement of the Antimonopoly Act in FY2024" ("the Report") . The Report highlights a significant increase in the number of enforcement cases, marking the highest volume in five years, which reflects the JFTC's ongoing commitment to strengthening the enforcement of the Antimonopoly Act. This article provides an overview of the report's key points.

Roundtable Discussion: The Frontline of the Energy Transition　　　　　　[Third Session] Latest Trends in the Domestic Renewable Energy Market - Focusing on Storage Batteries, Offshore wind, and Renewable Energy M&As, etc.

Following the first session on “Global Trends in the Energy Sector and Overseas Expansion of Japanese Companies” and the second session on “Latest Trends in the Domestic Renewable Energy Market - Focusing on Solar Power Generation,” this final installment of our series discusses a wide range of topics in the domestic energy market, including storage batteries, offshore wind, renewable energy M&A, nuclear power, and more. As the expansion of renewable energy continues, we explore how far the energy transition has progressed within Japan and what developments may be anticipated going forward.

Roundtable Discussion: The Frontline of the Energy Transition　　　　　　[Second Session] Latest Trends in the Domestic Renewable Energy Market - Focusing on Solar Power Generation

Following our previous discussion on global trends in the energy sector and the overseas expansion of Japanese companies, this article provides an overview of recent developments in the renewable energy sector in Japan, with a particular focus on solar power generation. It outlines key market trends, such as the increasing use of corporate power purchase agreements (“PPAs”) and the transition to the Feed-in Premium (“FIP”) scheme, and offers a professional analysis of associated legal challenges and potential avenues for new business initiatives.

Roundtable Discussion: The Frontline of the Energy Transition　　　　　　[First Session] Global Trends in the Energy Sector and Overseas Expansion of Japanese Companies

Against the backdrop of growing global momentum toward realizing a decarbonized society, the clean energy sector is developing rapidly. In this roundtable discussion, six lawyers specializing in clean energy exchange their views on “The Frontline of the Energy Transition,” discussing the key themes and challenges they have been seeing in practice and future prospects. The first session considers global trends in the energy sector before delving into the current state of the market and the challenges faced by the overseas expansion of Japanese companies.

Contemporary Issues in the Field of Commerce and Economic Security and the Importance of Economic Intelligence

Trust in the WTO has been inconsistent, and there are signs of instability in the free trade system. Meanwhile, as the US-China relationship changes and geopolitical risks increase, economic security is coming to the forefront as a factor to be considered in trade issues. At a time of increasing uncertainty in global business activities, our firm will continue to provide comprehensive and in-depth advice related to international trade and economic security, based on integrated economic intelligence.

AMT's Energy Transition Legal Services ~ Frontline of Practice ~

The energy transition is transforming the global energy sector and is an essential process for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. In this article, we introduce our strengths and the extensive range of services that we provide for energy transition related projects and transactions. Additionally, we will publish a series of roundtable discussions by lawyers with cutting-edge practical knowledge and experience, delving into the latest hot topics related to the energy transition.

Japan Legal Update

AMT is committed to delivering up-to-date insights on Japanese legal matters to our clients. Our Japan Legal Update provides comprehensive summaries of recent legislative changes, court precedents, and industry trends in Japan across various practice areas. For those seeking more in-depth information, we invite you to explore our newsletter