Introduction

On November 19 2004, the Japanese parliament passed and enacted Saipangai Funsou Kaiketsu Tetsuzuki no Riyou no Sokushin ni Kansuru Houritsu [the Law Promoting the Use of Alternative Dispute Resolution] (also referred to as the "ADR Law") and it was promulgated on December 1 2004 as Law No. 151 of 2004. The ADR Law is expected to come into effect on April 1 2007.[1] However, apart from the public announcement of its promulgation, there were very few English articles introducing the contents and discussing the merits or demerits of the ADR Law.[2] Therefore, it seems to be ...