Author: Koji Toshima, Norihito Sato, Kensho Akita, Kohei Shiozaki, Hiroyoshi Sanada
Special Feature:
Automated Driving and MaaS
Today, the automotive industry is said to be entering a once-in-a-century period of transformation. At the core of this transformation is a series of technical innovations called "CASE" (Connected, Autonomous, Shared/Service, Electric), which is represented by new technologies and services such as "automated driving" and "MaaS" (Mobility as a Service).
For many years, we have provided legal services for our clients including domestic and overseas automobile manufacturers and automotive parts companies. In order to deal promptly with the arrival of this transformational period, we have established a support system for the automated driving and MaaS fields ahead of any other law firm.
"Regulations on Autonomous Cars and MaaS Businesses" was published on June 23, 2020 and the second edition was published on December 28, 2023.
This is an unprecedented book that broadly explains the legal systems in relation to automobile-related businesses, such as automated driving and MaaS, as well as connected cars.
Our Initiatives to Date
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Capital and business alliances and restructuring of major automobile manufacturers, and the merger of major automotive parts companies
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Business integration of a taxi dispatch application company
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Advice on a foreign company’s service providing GPS location information for automated driving
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Advice to a major IT company on the regulations regarding automated driving
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No-action letter to MLIT to request advance confirmation of the application of laws and regulations concerning the Road Transport Act
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Advice to a logistics company on the gathering of information including drivers’ biometric information by IoT equipment, data contracts, and telecommunications business law
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Advice on transportation service applications by an overseas startup company
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Advice on the Road Transportation Act related to MaaS services
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Advice on the launch of a food delivery application
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Advice on the regulations in relation to electric scooter sharing services
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Advice on draft safety standards related to automated driving
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Advice on recalls related to cars, automated driving and MaaS, intellectual property rights/data, and product liability
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Investment in a startup company related to automated driving
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Joint venture with an automobile service company
Awards & Recognitions
Our Initiatives to Date
2015
Three partners set up a "Study Group on Robots and Related Laws" at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto and commenced a full-scale study.
Jul. 2015
Articles by our lawyers began to be published bimonthly in the Nikkei Robotics Legal Consultation.
May. 2016
"Legal framework and challenges for achieving autonomous (driverless) cars (Part 1)/(Part 2)" by Koji Toshima was published in NBL.
May. 2017
"Recent Japanese Regulations on Ride Sharing and Car Sharing" by Koji Toshima and Norihito Sato was published in NBL.
(Many articles related to automated driving and MaaS were published subsequently.)
May. 2017
Norihito Sato was with the Road Transport Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) to accumulate know-how on automated driving, recall regulation and MaaS (until 2019).
(Thereafter, until June 2021, Kensho Akita was with the Road Transport Bureau of MLIT. Keita Mashita is currently with the same bureau since July 2021.)
2018
Koji Toshima became a member of the Study Group on New Mobility Services Brought About by IoT and AI at the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (until 2019).
Nov. 2018
The MHM Seminar 2018 entitled "The arrival and required rules of the AI/IoT society" discussed the topics of "automated driving, connected cars, and MaaS". More than 2,000 guests participated in the seminar.
2020
Norihito Sato became a member of the Project Adoption and Screening Committee (for digital technology development aimed at regulatory advancements in the field of mobility), at the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
Mar. 2020
"Automotive Newsletters" specializing in automotive-related matters commenced periodical publication.
Jun. 2020
"Regulations on Autonomous Cars and MaaS Businesses" was published.
2023
Norihito Sato became a member of the Sub-Working Group on the Examination of Social Rules Concerning Automated Vehicles in the AI Era, Digital Agency
2024
Norihito Sato became a member of Autonomous Driving Working Group, Automotive Division, Land Transportation Subcommittee, Council for Transport Policy (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
2024
Norihito Sato became a member of Study Group on Measures to Ensure Safety Performance of Automated Vehicles (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
2024
Norihito Sato became a member of Study Group on Civil Liability under the Automobile Liability Security Act for Automated Vehicles for the Introduction of Robot Taxis (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism)
2024
Norihito Sato became a member of Working Group on the Examination of Social Implementation of Automated Delivery Robots with Higher Delivery Capacity (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry)
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Past
March 08, 2023 (Wed) 14:30～16:00"IPBA2023：New Mobility Solutions in the World of Autonomous/Electric Vehicles and Urban Air Mobility Vehicles"External Seminars
Past
September 29, 2020 (Tue)"Japan Drone 2020 Drone Innovation Seminar “Legal risks and interpretations of drones from skilled pilots and lawyers”"External Seminars
Past
August 28, 2020 (Fri) 14:00～16:30"Challenge of MONET Technologies and Legislative Developments Aimed at Carrying forward MaaS"External Seminars
Update date
March 26, 2025
People
Koji Toshima
Norihito Sato
Yoshihiro Kojima
Hiromi Hayashi
Atsushi Okada
Mikio Sonoda
Seijun Lee
Kazuhisa Kita
Kensho Akita
Kohei Shiozaki
Hiroyoshi Sanada
Daisuke Mosaka
Yuki Saito
Taisei Katano
Kazuki Sawa
Yu Nakayama
Noriko Makino
Yuma Yoshikawa
Kosuke Anan
Yu Furuhashi
Rio Ichii
Takuma Oyama
Keitaro Wakabayashi
Practices
*Please note: Information is current as of the time of disclosure.
People
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