Prosecutions

Cracking Down on Foreign Bribery: Japan Strengthens Laws and Prosecutions

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TOKYO, JAPAN – The Unfair Competition Prevention Act (UCPA) in Japan prohibits bribery of foreign public officials, and recent trends show that Japanese authorities are paying more attention to corruption than ever before. The UCPA considers bribery of foreign public officials punishable when it is related to an international commercial transaction. This includes activities such as international trade and cross-border investment. The bribe must be provided to foreign public officials or others, and it must be made with the intention of obtaining illicit gains in business. To establish a case of bribery, prosecutors must prove … Read more

Bar Council Chair Urges Parliament to Review Private Prosecutions After Post Office Scandal

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London, England – The chair of the Bar Council, Sam Townend KC, is calling for formal regulation of private prosecutions to prevent possible abuses of power. Townend’s suggestion comes in light of the Post Office scandal, where over 3,500 postmasters were accused of theft, fraud, and false accounting, with over 700 facing prosecution. While the Post Office saw itself as a victim in this situation, it was also able to act as a prosecutor, leading Townend to highlight the potential vested interests of those initiating private prosecutions. This push for regulation comes as the use … Read more