The Journal, inaugurated in 1996 and published twice-yearly, aims to be a truly international periodical for researchers and practitioners, focused on comparing the full range of Japanese law topics adopting a variety of formats and methodological approaches. It is jointly published by the German-Japanese Association of Jurists (DJJV) and the Max Planck Institute for Foreign Private and Private International Law (MPI) in Hamburg. The DJJV comprises around 700 members (mostly legal professionals and academics) in Germany and abroad. The MPI is a research center in comparative law. An editorial collaboration exists with the Australian Network for Japanese Law (ANJeL), comprising over 200 members in Australia, Japan, and other countries.
The Journal is made available to members of the DJJV at no cost and is not available for public sale. However, anyone who is interested in receiving the publication is welcome to become a member of the DJJV. Information about the goals of this organization and its annual dues are printed on the inside back page of this Journal. Public institutions that meet certain criteria may be eligible to receive the Journal free of charge after consultation with the DJJV.

Executive Editor
PD Dr. HARALD BAUM
Max Planck Institute for Foreign Private Law and Private International Law
Mittelweg 187
D-20148 Hamburg, Germany
Tel.: +49-(0)40-41 900-0
Fax: +49-(0)40-41 900-288
e-mail: <baum@mpipriv-hh.mpg.de>

Editorial Board
Prof. KENT ANDERSON, Canberra
Dr. MARC DERNAUER, LL.M., München
Prof. SÔICHIRÔ KOZUKA, Tokyo
Prof. Dr. YUKO NISHITANI, Sendai
Prof. Dr. LUKE R. NOTTAGE, Sydney
Prof. Dr. HIROSHI ODA, London
Prof. Dr. MATTHIAS K. SCHEER, LL.M., Hamburg
Prof. MARK D. WEST, Ann Arbor

Editorial Assistant
EVA SCHWITTEK

Editorial Secretary
GUNDULA DAU

© Deutsch-Japanische Juristenvereinigung e.V. & Max-Planck-Institut für Privatrecht

The Journal and all contributions published in it are protected by copyright. Any use that is not expressly allowed by the Copyright Act is forbidden without prior written consent from the editors.