copy the linklink copied!Japan
Japan has met all aspects of the terms of reference (ToR) for the calendar year 2018 (year in review) and no recommendations are made.
In the prior year report, Japan did not receive any recommendations.
Japan can legally issue three types of rulings within the scope of the transparency framework. In practice, Japan has issued rulings within the scope of the transparency framework as follows:
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51 past rulings;
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For the period 1 April 2016 - 31 December 2016: 12 future rulings;
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For the calendar year 2017: 14 future rulings, and
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For the year in review: 16 future rulings.
Unilateral APAs are not published, whereas written answers under the Written Reply Procedure are published on the National Tax Agency (“NTA”) website.
Peer input was received from two jurisdictions in respect of the exchanges of information on rulings received from Japan. The input was generally positive, noting that information was complete, in a correct format and received in a timely manner.
copy the linklink copied!Introduction
This peer review covers Japan’s implementation of the BEPS Action 5 transparency framework for the year 2018. The report has four parts, each relating to a key part of the ToR. Each part is discussed in turn. A summary of recommendations is included at the end of this report.
copy the linklink copied!A. The information gathering process
Japan can legally issue the three following types of rulings within the scope of the transparency framework: (i) cross-border unilateral advance pricing arrangements (APAs) and any other cross-border unilateral tax rulings (such as an advance tax ruling) covering transfer pricing or the application of transfer pricing principles; (ii) permanent establishment rulings; and (iii) related party conduit rulings.
Past rulings (ToR I.4.1.1, I.4.1.2, I.4.2.1, I.4.2.2)
For Japan, past rulings are any tax rulings within scope that are issued either: (i) on or after 1 January 2014 but before 1 April 2016; or (ii) on or after 1 January 2010 but before 1 January 2014, provided they were still in effect as at 1 January 2014.
In the prior years’ peer review reports, it was determined that Japan’s undertakings to identify past rulings and all potential exchange jurisdictions were sufficient to meet the minimum standard. Japan’s implementation in this regard remains unchanged, and therefore continues to meet the minimum standard.
Future rulings (ToR I.4.1.1, I.4.1.2, I.4.2.1)
For Japan, future rulings are any tax rulings within scope that are issued on or after 1 April 2016.
In the prior years’ peer review reports, it was determined that Japan’s undertakings to identify future rulings and all potential exchange jurisdictions was sufficient to meet the minimum standard. Japan’s implementation in this regard remains unchanged, and therefore continues to meet the minimum standard.
copy the linklink copied!B. The exchange of information
Legal basis for spontaneous exchange of information (ToR II.5.1, II.5.2)
Japan has the necessary domestic legal basis to exchange information spontaneously. Japan notes that there are no legal or practical impediments that prevent the spontaneous exchange of information on rulings as contemplated in the Action 5 minimum standard.
Japan is a party to international agreements permitting spontaneous exchange of information, including (i) the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters: Amended by the 2010 Protocol (OECD/Council of Europe, 2011) (“the Convention”) and (ii) double tax agreements in force with 71 jurisdictions.1
Completion and exchange of templates (ToR II.5.3, II.5.4, II.5.5, II.5.6, II.5.7)
In the prior year peer review report, it was determined that Japan’s completion and exchange of templates were sufficient to meet the minimum standard. Japan’s implementation in this regard remains unchanged, and therefore continues to meet the minimum standard.
For the year in review, the timeliness of exchanges is as follows:
copy the linklink copied!C. Statistics (ToR IV)
The statistics for the year in review are as follows:
copy the linklink copied!D. Matters related to intellectual property regimes (ToR I.4.1.3)
Japan does not offer an intellectual property regime for which transparency requirements under the Action 5 Report (OECD, 2015[5]) were imposed.
Note
← 1. Parties to the Convention are available here: www.oecd.org/tax/exchange-of-tax-information/convention-on-mutual-administrative-assistance-in-tax-matters.htm. Japan also has bilateral agreements in force with Armenia, Bangladesh, Belarus, Brunei Darussalam, Egypt, Fiji, Hong Kong (China), Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka, Chinese Taipei, Tajikistan, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, United States, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam and Zambia.
Metadata, Legal and Rights
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