Notice of the Establishment of Policy Research Institute

Notice of the Establishment of Policy Research Institute

Atsumi & Sakai established a "Policy Research Institute" on June 27, 2022.

1. Purposes of the Policy Research Institute

The Policy Research Institute, led by our partner, Takafumi Ochiai, includes lawyers from Atsumi & Sakai, as well as experts with experience in various companies, organizations, and public institutions. The Institute aims to build bridges between policies and practices in Japan that have not been tackled by either public or private institutions, and to disseminate the research results and proposals for consideration by these institutions.

We plan to hold discussions that will serve as a starting point for the formulation of policies and practices that will bring about significant change, while maintaining a medium- to long-term perspective on subjects for which there is no immediate solution.

2. Activities of the Policy Research Institute

The Policy Research Institute will conduct the following activities in addition to study sessions with external experts as described in 4. below.

① Policy and practical research and the development and dissemination of recommendations
② Ongoing information dissemination (Media dissemination and relations, performance planning, explanation of new policies, etc., preparation of discussions that contribute to the formulation of practical operations, etc.)
③ Activities and research in cooperation with public institutions and industry associations, etc.

3. Draft agenda

The following is an excerpt of some of the agenda items that the Policy Research Institute will address. Other items will be added in accordance with the purposes and policies of the institute.

・A comprehensive framework that cuts across laws and regulations and an ideal form of reliable information distribution in relation to infrastructure in the ICT sector
・Financial and information legislation that takes into account the functional differentiation of financial businesses and the financial transaction infrastructure of a society that is changing, including the nature of currencies
・In light of changes in the technological architecture of the Internet and progress in the digital world, such as the development of networks, platforms, and infrastructure for information cooperation, the ideal form of integrated disciplines in information law, consumer law, and competition law that is required in the context of changes in social activities in general
・How to reform the industrial structure with external factors such as carbon neutrality and strengthening the supply chain
・Urban development regulations, living infrastructure development, and financing systems for the purpose of maintaining social infrastructure such as mobility, housing, water, and energy in a society with a declining population

4. Participants in the Workshops

*No particular order and without honorific titles

Toshio Taki (Group Executive Officer, CoPA (Chief of Public Affairs), Head of Sustainability and Head of Money Forward Fintech Institute)
Tatsuya Kurosaka (Project Associate Professor, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University/President, Kuwadate, Inc.)
Makoto Koizumi (Digital Literacy Council Office/ Project Advisor, Japan Deep Learning Association/ Researcher, Graduate School of System Design and Management, Keio University)
Yosuke Miyata (President and Representative Director, K. K. poliflect)
Fuhito Kojima (Professor, Graduate School of Economics, Faculty of Economics, The University of Tokyo/Director, University of Tokyo Market Design Center )
Seiko Shirasaka (Professor, Graduate School of System Design and Management, Keio University)
Naoto Ikegai (Professor, Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University)
Kosuke Kunimine (Lawyer, KUNIMINE Law Office)
Hiroki Habuka (Attorney and Research Professor, Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University / CEO & Co-founder, Smart Governance Inc.)
Yuichiro Watanabe (Attorney and Japan Legal Affairs Division Manager of Airbnb Japan K. K., director of Japan In-House Lawyers Association)
Tatsuhiko Inatani (Professor, Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University)
Hironobu Azuma (Principal, The Japan Research Institute, Limited / Specially Appointed Professor, Organization for Research Promotion, Osaka Metropolitan University)
Takayuki Matsuo (Partner, MOMO-O, MATSUO & NAMBA)

5. Participating Attorneys from A&S

Head: Takafumi Ochiai
Deputy heads: Kenichi Tanizaki 
Principal researchers: Chie Shinsha, Jun Kashio, Daisuke Omote, Naoyuki Inui, Tatsuhiro Hirayama, and Issei Matsuda
Researchers: Hiroyuki Nezu, Yuri Suzuki, Fumiko Oikawa, Rie Kishida, Osamu Fujiwara, Hayato Kimura, Yuka Daimon, Ryotaro Ebata, Tomoko Fujita, Kentaro Ota, Reisuke Makuta​​​​, Akane Mori, Takahiro Yokoyama, Ryuhei Omori, Sogo Kato, and Kyosuke Nishiyama

Contact

Related Awards

• FT Innovative Lawyers Asia-Pacific 2023 - “Innovation in Adjacent Services”

• The 30 rule makers in Japan (Forbes JAPAN No. 096, 2022)

Related Newsletters

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• "Report of the Working Group on Capital Market Regulations and Asset Management Task Force of the Financial System Council" （February 20, 2024） [Co-author]

• ”Amendments of Cabinet Office Order on Financial Instruments Business, etc. for the improvement of Concurrent Engagement in an Investment Advisory Business" （August 15, 2023） [Co-author]

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• "Contract Templates for Equity Investment in Startups," Fintech Association of Japan (2023)

• "Current Situation and Future Prospects surrounding Startup Support," Horitsu no Hiroba, December 2023, the Gyosei Corporation (2023)[Co-author]

• "Issues and Prospects concerning Data Utilization Focusing on Industrial Data: Regulatory Trends Surrounding Industrial Data, etc. in the U.S. (Part 1)," NBL No. 1254, Shojihomu (2023) [Co-author]

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• "What Deregulation and Business Opportunities are Brought on by DX in Administration and Finance," Tech Team Journal (article of a roundtable talk) (November 2023)

• The Development of Digital Society and the Design of Laws - "36 Challenges of Rule Formation in the Digitalization of Financial Services" in "Chapter 3: Digitalization of Financial Services and Strategic Use of Rule Formation,"  SHOJIHOMU Co., Ltd. (2023)[Co-author]

• Digital Platforms and Rulemaking, Nippon Hyoronsha (2023) [as a member of the Platform Business Study Group]

• “Impact of the District Court Decision on the XRP Litigation,” Financial and Business Law Precedents No.1674 (2023)

• “Towards Responsible AI Deployment: Policy Recommendations for the Hiroshima AI Process” (Institute for Future Initiatives, The University of Tokyo, 2023) [Feedback]

• “The Truth About Digital Policy: Where We Are and Where We're Going [Masaki Ogushi, State Minister for Digital Transformation x Takafumi Ochiai, Head of Policy Research Institute],” Tech Team Journal (article of a roundtable talk) (September 2023)

• "Issues and Prospects concerning Data Utilization Focusing on Industrial Data Vol. 4: Regulatory Trends Surrounding Industrial Data, etc. in Europe (Part 4)," NBL No. 1249, Shojihomu (2023) [Co-author]

• “Legal Considerations for the Diversification of Payment Methods,” GINKO JITSUMU Vol. 53 No.9 (2023) [Co-author]

• "Issues and Prospects concerning Data Utilization Focusing on Industrial Data Vol. 3: Regulatory Trends Surrounding Industrial Data, etc. in Europe (Part 3)," NBL No. 1247, Shojihomu (2023) [Co-author]

• "Study on How Data Utilization should be Seen in the Information Bank Certification System," NBL No. 1246, Shojihomu (2023) [Co-author]

• "Issues and Prospects concerning Data Utilization Focusing on Industrial Data Vol. 2: Regulatory Trends Surrounding Industrial Data, etc. in Europe (Part 2)," NBL No. 1244, Shojihomu (2023) [Co-author]

• “Guidance for the Appropriate and Prompt Approval and Development of Programmed Medical Devices based on their Characteristics,” Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (as a board member of the Japan Medical Venture Association) (May 2023)

• "Issues and Prospects concerning Data Utilization Focusing on Industrial Data Vol. 1: Regulatory Trends Surrounding Industrial Data, etc. in Europe (Part 1)," NBL No. 1242, Shojihomu (2023) [Co-author]

• “DFFT Initiative report,” Data Society Alliance (DSA) (2023) [Co-author]

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• “In-Depth Explanation of DFFT, A Key Topic at the 2023 G7: Challenges and Expectations of Generative AI ‘Here to Destroy 20 years of Trust in the Digital Domain’,” Nikkei X Tech (article of a roundtable talk) (April 2023)

• “Digital Identity Verification Guidelines for Private Businesses,” OpenID Foundation Japan(as a member of the Task Force on Identity Verification Guidelines) (March 2023)

• “In-Depth Explanation of DFFT, A Key Topic at the 2023 G7: Data Distribution Challenges from the Financial Industry's Perspective, Pursuing both "DFF" and "T" with Government Commitment,” Nikkei X Tech (March 2023)

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• “Utilization of Medical Data and Medical Information Infrastructure Systems in Various Countries,” Weekly Keidanren Times No.3578(February 2023)

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• “In-Depth Explanation of DFFT, A Key Topic at the 2023 G7: What is "Government Access"?- With the Implementation of the Amended Telecommunications Business Act, a New "Compulsory Course" in Japan,” Nikkei X Tech (February 2023)

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• “In-Depth Explanation of DFFT, A Key Topic at the 2023 G7: Progress in Developing a Framework for "Cross-border Transfer" of Personal Information, Contributing to the Free Distribution of Data,”  Nikkei X Tech (January 2023) [Co-author]

• ”Lawyers Guide 2023,"  Lexis Nexis and Business & Law LLC (January 2023) [Interview]

• “In-Depth Explanation of DFFT, A Key Topic at the 2023 G7: How to Create Rules for International Data Transfers? The Reason why DFFT is a Global Topic,” Nikkei X Tech (December 2022) [Co-author]

Related Seminars

• “Japan's Digital Frontier: Data and AI Policy for Era of Innovation,” at the International Open Forum on Data Society, hosted by Dawex and co-organized by the Data Society Alliance and IEEE SA P3800 WG, February 12, 2024
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• Panelist at a panel discussion at a symposium entitled “Promotion of Healthcare Innovation by DFFT,” hosted by The American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, November 30, 2023
• "The Desirable State of Pharmaceutical Sales in Light of the Usefulness of Digital Technology: Economic Impact and the Future of Pharmaceutical Sales," hosted by Policy Research Institute, November 14, 2023
• Evaluator in the Ministry of Justice’s "Regulations (regarding Notarization of Articles of Incorporation by Notary Public)" at the "Administrative Business Review - Fall Review (Fall Annual Public Validation)," hosted by Cabinet Secretariat, November 11, 2023
• Panelist at a panel discussion entitled “Generative AI Era and Regulation,” at an event entitled “RegTechDay - RegTech Consortium Kick-off Event,” hosted by the Digital Agency, October 27, 2023
• "Fintech and Financial Regulation in Asia," hosted by the University of Exeter, October 27, 2023
• "Recent Discussion on Digital Policy and AI Auideline in Japan," at the 2nd IEEE SA & DSA International Standardization Roundtable, co-hosted by Data Society Alliance and IEEE SA P3800 DTS (Data Trading System) WG, July 17, 2023
• "Utilization of AI in Fintech," co-hosted by Policy Research Institute and the Fintech Association of Japan, July 12, 2023
•  Discussion with students on Smart Cities/Super Cities in a lecture at the Faculty of Law, Kyushu University, July 7, 2023
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• “The Development of Web 3.0,” at the Kyushu Digital Finance Seminar/Meetup, co-hosted by Fukuoka Prefecture, FINOLAB Inc. and Fintech Association of Japan, June 27, 2023
• "Significance and Challenges of Considering CBDC - In View of the Large Impact the Basic Composition has on Social Conditions," co-hosted by Policy Research Institute and Money Forward, Inc., June 20, 2023
• "Issues and Other Considerations Concerning Local Cities," at the 2nd Evaluation and Promotion Committee for the Revitalization of Central City Areas, hosted by the Cabinet Office, May 23, 2023
• "DFFT (Data Free Flow with Trust) Initiative meeting," co-hosted by the Data Society Alliance (DSA) and the IEEE SA P3800 DTS (Data Trading System) WG, April 29, 2023
• "Digital Transformation Summit," co-hosted by The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Japan, April 28, 2023
• "Agile Governance Summit," hosted by the World Economic Forum Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Japan, April 27, 2023
• Speaker at a panel session entitled “The Golden Age of Payment Systems,” at the IPBA 31st  Annual Meeting and Conference in Dubai, hosted by Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA), March 9, 2023
• An opinion on “Expanding the Scope of Drugs that Can Be Deployed in Home Nursing Stations (STs),”at the 7th Meeting of the Working Group on Medical Care, Nursing Care, and Infectious Disease Control of the Cabinet Office’s Council for Regulatory Reform, March 6, 2023
• An opinion on “Option Development for the Promotion of Science-Based Nursing Care,” at the 7th Meeting of the Working Group on Medical Care, Nursing Care, and Infectious Disease Control of the Cabinet Office’s Council for Regulatory Reform, March 6, 2023
• "Preparation of Ecosystem for Regulatory Technology," at the round table meeting for the data society, hosted by Data Society Alliance and IEEE SA P3800 DTS (Data Trading System) WG, February 6-8, 2023

Related Links

• Joint research and development of interactive AI conducted by A&S Policy Research Institute with Deloitte and Kyoto University was featured in an article titled “Deloitte, Kyoto University and Others to Develop Interactive AI with Business Support by Legal Professionals,” in the Nikkei Online Edition, dated November 30, 2023, published by Nikkei Inc.
• A&S Policy Research Institute, together with Deloitte Tohmatsu and Kyoto University, will conduct joint research and development of interactive AI.
• Takafumi Ochiai (Partner)’s comment was quoted in an article entitled "No Objection to the Classification of Drugs Requiring Supervision Not Shifting to OTC Use," in the Nikkei Medical, dated August 10, 2023.
• Takafumi Ochiai (Partner)’s comment was quoted in an article entitled "Two 'Black Ships' Rapidly Accelerate International AI Rule-Making; Where Is Japan's Initiative Headed?" in Nikkei X Tech, dated July 10, 2023.
• The “Generative AI Governance Study Group”, in which Takafumi Ochiai participates, will begin working on the formulation of basic principles to promote the appropriate use of generative AI.
• Atsumi & Sakai was featured as one of the joint winners of the “Innovation in Adjacent Services” category of the Financial Times’ FT Innovative Lawyers Asia-Pacific Awards 2023 in an article titled “Recruit's Privacy Protection Wins Asia FT Award for the First Time," in the Nikkei Online Edition.
• Takafumi Ochiai’s comments were quoted in the articles in the Nikkei Business Daily and the Nikkei Online Edition.
• The Policy Research Institute was featured in an article titled “Policy Recommendations by Law Firms ~ The Establishment of 'Research Institutes' by Atsumi & Sakai and Nishimura Asahi," in the Nikkei newspaper, dated September 19, 2022.
• The Policy Research Institute was featured in a web article titled “Japan's Leading Rulemakers Assemble at the ‘Policy Research Institute’ to Lay Out Policies of the Future," dated June 27, 2022, published by Forbes JAPAN.