Japan promulgates the Shōhō commercial code

Background. Japan's legal system is primarily based on legal codes and statutes, with precedents playing an important role. The system is a civil law system with six legal codes, greatly influenced by Germany and to a lesser extent by France, adapted to Japanese circumstances. Major reforms occurred after the Meiji Restoration, and an earlier Commercial Code was among the legislation of 1890, preceding the 1899 code at issue here.

Model Influence. The Japanese commercial code was modeled on the German Commercial Code (Handelsgesetzbuch) of 1897, but with some French influence. European legal systems, especially German and French civil law, were primary models for the Japanese legal system, though often substantially modified before adoption. The Japanese legal system is considered a descendant of the Romano-Germanic civil law legal system.

Legal Context. Japanese civil law includes the Civil Code, the Commercial Code, and various supplemental laws. The Civil Code was created in 1896. Numerous laws were enacted to supplement the Civil Code as soon as it was adopted, including laws on the Registration of Real Property and the Law on Deposits in 1899. Japanese commercial law is characterized by a relationship with the bureaucracy.