Business and Human Rights

Recent Situation

While the globalization of business continues to advance, the issues that need to be considered in international business are expanding. In addition to existing competition law, international trade regulations, and anti-bribery regulations, etc., these issues are broadening to include human rights, economic security, carbon neutrality, and cyber security/data cross-border transfer. 

 

Respect for human rights is an area in which laws are being developed in various countries from different perspectives, and there is a possibility that more extensive regulations will be developed in the future, particularly in the EU, etc. In Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has published "Guidelines on Respecting Human. Rights in Responsible Supply Chains". However, legal systems and law enforcement trends overseas are having a strong influence on corporate decision-making and the formulation of response policies.
 

Our Involvement with Human Rights

As a firm, we have developed an office-wide Sustainability Declaration and made declarations regarding respect for human rights and other values. In relation to human rights, we have made disclosures based on the Modern Slavery Act in the UK, and we recognize that law firms also play an important role in maintaining respect for human rights and other social values.

 

Contributing to the resolution of global issues by leveraging our worldwide network is an important mission of our firm. In this context, we have formed teams of experts by country and by theme, which can address human rights and other international practices, and we are further developing a system that allows these experts to collaborate with each other.

 

• For more information about our international practices click here.
• For more information about our labor and employment advice click here.
   

Lineup of Services

• Support for human rights due diligence
• Support for human rights policy formulation
• Investigation and response when human rights risks arise
• Advice on responses to laws, regulations, and economic sanctions, etc. related to human rights in various countries
• Support for establishment of internal and supply chain management systems/grievance response mechanisms
• Support for implementation of education and training on human rights

Most recent activities (partial)

Awards

• Atsumi & Sakai has received high evaluation in The Legal 500 Asia Pacific Green Guide 2024 published by Legalease.

• Atsumi & Sakai has been shortlisted for the Responsible Business category in the British Business Awards 2023 organised by the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ) for its commitment to sustainability.

• Atsumi & Sakai was chosen as ESG and Sustainability Law Firm of the Year at the Asian Legal Business (ALB) Japan Law Awards 2023.

• Atsumi & Sakai has received high evaluation in the ALB Asia Top Innovative Law Firms 2023.

Seminars

• "IBA Human Rights Conference: Climate, justice and law - challenges and opportunities," hosted by IBA Human Rights Law Committee, supported by IBA Business Human Rights Committee and supported by the IBA Business Human Rights Committee and Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA), held from April 5 to April 7, 2024
• “Unveiling the Hidden Risks: Forced Labour Regulation, Supply Chain Transparency, and HR Due Diligence – Is Your Company at Risk?,” at an event entitled “The Legal 360,” hosted by Christopher Lee Ong, November 15, 2023 (Panelist)
• “Practice and Prospects of Human Rights Due Diligence in the World,” at a seminar entitled “How to Implement Effective ESG Strategies? Global Trends and Practical Issues,” co-hosted by the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and the International Bar Association, October 2, 2023 (Moderator)
• "The importance of supply chain and human rights due diligence" at the GC Summit Japan 2023, hosted by The Legal 500, September 28, 2023 (Speaker)

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