OH-EBASHI English Newsletter 2026 Summer Issue was published.

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Japan Issues First Discontinuance Recommendation under the 2017 Amended FEFTA by Tomomi Fukutomi
I. Introduction
On April 22, 2026, the Japanese Minister of Finance and the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry jointly issued a recommendation that MM Holdings LLC ("MM Holdings") discontinue its proposed acquisition of Makino Milling Machine Co., Ltd. ("Makino") (the "Discontinuance Recommendation")...(Please click here to read more.）

The TRIPP TRAPP Chair Decision: The Supreme Court's New Standard for Copyright Protection of Mass-Produced Utilitarian Goods by Kento Sumi
I. Introduction
The "TRIPP TRAPP" children's chair ("TRIPP TRAP"), which was created in Norway in 1972, is widely known as a long-selling product with cumulative global sales of 14 million units. On April 24, 2026, in a copyright infringement lawsuit litigated in Japan over this chair, the Supreme Court of Japan issued the first ruling establishing the criteria for copyrightability of mass-produced utilitarian goods. This article explains the ruling and its practical implications...(Please click here to read more.）

Japan's AI Guidelines for Business: Key Updates in Version 1.2 Thereof by Yuka Minoda
I. Introduction
In recent years, the use of AI in business operations, particularly generative AI, has expanded rapidly. While the scope of applications of AI in corporate activities continues to broaden, responding to legal and compliance related risks has also become an increasingly important issue. Against this backdrop, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry formulated and published the AI Guidelines for Business in April 2024 with the objective of promoting innovation while ensuring the safety and reliability of AI. The said AI Guidelines are considered a "living document" and are therefore subject to continuous updates....(Please click here to read more.）