Today's topic deals with the thorny issue of going into competition with one's employer and what is, and is not allowed. Reminding readers that I am not trying to give legal advice here, if you pick up on some points here and want to know more, the best thing to do is to contact your legal advisor for the full story.

Katakana, Japan's 46 character phonetic script, used mainly for the writing of foreign words, is a source of fascination for linguists, philosophers and anthropologists. This week JIN takes a critical look at various commentaries on this linguistic phenomenon. Read Now

Demographic pressures, shifting work/life values and an increase in the number of foreigners on the labor market, have left Japan's employment landscape in a state of flux. Which direction is the market headed and what opportunities does this present? Read Terrie's Take Now

With the election of Kevin Rudd to the Australian premiership many have speculated that there will be a cooling down of bilateral relations with Japan. This week's JIN takes a long view of the dynamic between the two countries, from iron ore exports to whale hunting. Read Now