There has been a shift in regulatory practice in Japan aimed at providing greater transparency and reducing the role of regulatory agencies in business decisions. This move to an “ex post supervisory system” means that regulated entities are now required to make their own assessment of regulatory requirements and act accordingly, with regulatory agencies assessing whether enforcement action is necessary after the fact. There has also been a significant reinforcement of consumer protection laws and regulations in recent years. As a result, it is more important than ever for businesses operating in Japan to have a thorough understanding of regulations relevant to their business. Mori Hamada & Matsumoto regularly assists clients on a broad range of regulatory requirements.