As part of efforts for the promotion of international arbitration in Japan, the Ministry of Justice of Japan held an international arbitration seminar on 16 October 2024, at the Embassy of Japan in Germany. The seminar was organized in collaboration with the German Arbitration Institute (DIS), German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection, the Embassy of Japan in Germany, the Japan Association of Arbitrators (JAA), the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA) and the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO).
Approximately 50 participants, including arbitration practitioners and corporate representatives from Japan and Germany, attended the event and engaged in lively discussions.
Opening
Ms. Andrea Schulz, the Head of Unit at the German Federal Ministry of Justice and Consumer Protection, delivered opening remarks, stating that this seminar would provide a valuable opportunity for the justice ministries and arbitration-related institutions of Germany and Japan to meet and discuss the latest developments in international arbitration.
Mr. KAWAHARA Ryuji, the Vice-Minister of Justice of Japan, noting that this seminar was held for the first time in five years, expressed his hope that participants would deepen understanding of the latest developments in the arbitration systems of Germany and Japan and strong points of both countries as seats of arbitration.
Subsequently, Mr. KOIKE Tadahiro, Senior Attorney at the International Affairs Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Justice of Japan, explained the Japanese government’s efforts to promote international arbitration and mediation.
Session 1
Session 1 featured a panel discussion on “Commonalities in German and Japanese Approaches to Arbitration.” Panelists, including Ms. HOSOKAWA Aiko from the Japan Association of Arbitrators (JAA), discussed not only commonalities between Germany and Japan regarding case management and measures to expedite resolution of international arbitration, but also differences in arbitration procedures between civil law and common law countries.
Session 2
Session 2 featured a panel discussion on “What’s new in German and Japanese arbitration?” Mr. TAKATORI Yoshihiro from the JAA introduced recent trends and legal reforms, such as adopting electronic arbitral awards and enforcement based on provisional measures of preservation orders. The panelists then discussed the future direction of international arbitration.