Google, Microsoft register as foreign tech firms

U.S. tech rms Google LLC and Microso Corp. registered their head o ces in Japan at the request of the Justice Ministry, it has been learned.

Google made the registration on July 7 and Microso on July 11 under the Companies Law.

e ministry had requested the registration of a head ofce in Japan in a move to promote measures dealing with online defamation.

When a foreign company fails to register a head o ce, it can delay dealing with cases of online defamation. However, if the company is registered, the burden on victims of online slander can be reduced since court cases, such as those seeking disclosure of information on those who post slander and libel on the internet, can be completed through domestic procedures. Consequently, registration may help reduce the time and e ort required to retrieve such information.

In March, the ministry demanded that 48 companies that had applied to be telecommunications operators but failed to register their head o ces make such a registration. On June 30, the ministry said it had requested the Tokyo District Court levy nes on seven foreign tech companies for failing to properly register.

When announcing the progress on the matter, the ministry said Monday that 13 out of the 31 companies that had been requested to comply by July 22 had complied with the request. Although the names of the 13 have not been disclosed, sources said Google and Microso were among them.

Four out of the 31 have suspended operations or withdrawn from the telecommunications business.

e 14 remaining companies have not registered their head o ces. Twitter, Inc. and Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly Facebook, Inc, are said to have not registered. (July 27)