As a result of recent developments, such as the recommendation set forth in the Opinion of June 2001 of the Judicial Reform Council to expand and activate alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in Japan, at present there is heightened discussion in Japan about ADR services.
This year, we organize the 11th SOFTIC Symposium on November 15, 2002, under the theme of "Dispute Resolution Mechanism in Information Technology Age - Expectation for ADR -." Experts in Asian, U.S. and European countries will be invited and expected to exchange information on the actual situation of dispute resolutions in each country.

2.   Venue
"Providence Hall", 2nd  Floor, Tokyo Prince Hotel
3-1, Shibakoen 3-chome, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8560
Telephone. 81-3-3432-1111 Facsimile. 81-3-3432-5551

3.   Theme
Dispute Resolution Mechanism in IT Age - Expectation for ADR -
1. ADR System in Each Country
2. Particular Issues
*ADR of Intellectual Property Disputes
*ADR of Computer Software Transaction Disputes
*Electronic Commerce Transaction Disputes and Use of On-line ADR

4.   Organized by
Software Information Center (SOFTIC)
 Toto Bldg., 5-1-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
 Phone: 81-3-3437-3071   Facsimile: 81-3-3437-3398
 E-mail:   Web: http://www.softic.or.jp/

5.   Official Language
Japanese and English with simultaneous translation

Program 

  Kensuke Norichika, Executive Director, SOFTIC
  Toyohiro Nomura, Professor, Gakushuin University

9:10*Speech-1

  "ADR - from the Courts' Viewpoint"
Speaker: Toshiaki Iimura, Judge, Tokyo District Court

9:40*1. ADR Systems in other Country

*What is ADR?
  - difference between mediation and arbitration
  -comparison of litigation and arbitration, etc.
*Actual Situation
  - ADR organizations, number of cases, costs, types of disputes and resolution, etc.
*Actual Administration - Process to Resolution
  - from arbitration to mediation, from mediation to arbitration, etc.
*Relationship with the Court Procedure
  - mediation first system, referral to arbitration, referral to mediation, handling of extinctive prescription (statutory limitations), enforcement of the arbitration award, examination, etc.
*Selection and Training of Arbitrators and Mediators

10:40-11:00 Break

13:00-14:00 Lunch

14:00*Speech-2

"Expectation for ADR from the Users' Viewpoint - Cases Studies"
Speaker : Katsuro Yamaji,  General Manager, Legal and Industry Relations Group and Export Control Head Quarters, Fujitsu Limited

14:30*2. Review of Individual Issues

*ADR of Intellectual Property Disputes
*ADR of Computer Software Transaction Disputes
*Electronic Commerce Disputes and Use of On-line ADR

15:30-15:50 Break

17:30*End of all the sessions

17:35-19:00 Reception

*Allotment of time may vary.

Speakers and Panelists 

Moderators:
Masato Dogauchi,   Professor of Law, The University of Tokyo
Norihisa Ogawa,   Attorney at Law, Special Researcher,  Software Information Center
 

Panelists:
Rungao Zheng,   conciliator of Conciliation Center of China Council for the Promotion of International Trade
Robert David Allan Knutson,   Attorney at Law, Corbett & Co.
Kyung-Han Sohn,   Attorney at Law, Aram International
Alban Kang,   Attorney at Law, Alban Tay Mahtani & De Silva
George C.C.Chen,   Attorney at Law, Tsai, Lee & Chen
Philip J. McConnaughay,   Dean and Donald J. Farage Professor of Law, The Pennsylvania State University Dickinson School of Law
David A. Livdahl,   Attorney at Law, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker
Kanichi Ohishi,   Mediator, Tokyo District Court
Hiroshi Ohkawa,   Attorney at Law, Law firm Aozora
Nobuyoshi Tanaka,   Judge, Tokyo District Court
Kazuhiko Yamamoto,   Professor, Faculty of Law, Hitotsubashi University

Registration

How to register:
Please fill in the "Registration Form"(on the Web) and send a copy of receipt for the fee remittance to SOFTIC by facsimile.The charge for remitting the fee and any other bank charge shall be borne by the participant. Please make the remittance through a bank to thefollowing  account:

Bank:  Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Branch:  Honten Eigyo-bu A/C Name:  SOFTIC SYMPO A/C No. :  200-9176905 Address:  1-1-2 Yurakucho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0006, JAPAN Phone:  81-3-3501-1111

Your registration is completed when SOFTIC receives the on-line registration and the facsimile copy of receipt for the fee remittance and the payment of registration fee is confirmed.

Confirmation Letter:
When your registration is completed, SOFTIC will send you the Confirmation Letter by e-mail. Please be sure to bring the Confirmation Letter and show it at the Registration Desk.
 

Please note that the registration fee is non-refundable.If the registered participant is unable to attend, a substitute is allowed to participate in the symposium.
 
 

Location and Access

Access:
Subway:
One minute walk from Onarimon Station of Mita line
Seven minute walk from Daimon Station of Asakusa line
Ten minute walk from Kamiyacho Station of Hibiya line
JR:
Ten minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station

Accomodation

Symposium Secretariat

 Shigeki Yanagisawa
 General Manager, Research Dept.
 Software Information Center (SOFTIC)
 Toto Bldg., 5-1-4 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001, Japan
 Phone: 81-3-3437-3071
 Facsimile: 81-3-3437-3398
 E-mail:
 Web: http://www.softic.or.jp