This paper, an edited and footnoted transcript of a presentation at a research Centre of Excellence at Hokkaido University, looks at the influence of “responsive regulation” theory on the large-scale “Australian Consumer Law” reforms enacted in 2010. It outlines some frameworks developed...

This paper provides the first-ever detailed analysis of the dispute resolution provisions contained in Japan's burgeoning international investment treaties (BITs and FTAs or EPAs). That development is also located in the context of Japan's inbound and outbound flows in foreign investment and the...

This paper offers a comparative critique of one of the few aspects of the new Australian Consumer Law (ACL) that had no counterpart in prior domestic or New Zealand law. ACL Part 3-3 Div 5 belatedly adds a new obligation on suppliers to notify regulators of certain consumer product related...

This paper addresses treaty-based investor-state arbitration (ISA) and other forms of investor-state dispute settlement. The topic has become particularly controversial for Australia, given its ongoing Free Trade Agreement negotiations with Japan – which is also considering joining...

Bilateral and regional trade and investment treaties (‘FTAs' and ‘BITs') have proliferated in the Asia-Pacific region, along with double-tax treaties (‘DTTs'). But countries like Australia have recently become more concerned about FTAs and BITs. This article examines processes that states...

Treaty-based investor-state arbitration (ISA) has gradually become a more established part of the legal landscape in the Asian region. But this development is threatened by the “Gillard Government Trade Policy Statement” announced in April 2011. One interpretation is that the Australian...

This paper outlines our collaborative research project for 2014-16, aimed at evaluating the economic and legal risks and benefits associated with the Australian Government's recent approach to investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS), and broader implications for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)...

This is the second paper in our trilogy focusing on persistent expansion in unsecured consumer lending in Japan, leading to increasing over-indebtedness and then major judicial and legislative responses particularly from 2006. The Japanese experience provides important lessons particularly in...