Asia Business Law Journal – January/February 2025

Bracing for impact

Legal and economic shifts put businesses on high alert

As Asia navigates a complex web of legal, economic and political shifts in 2025, businesses and investors must brace for a rough ride. From escalating trade tensions driven by US President Donald Trump’s policies to sweeping regulatory overhauls, 2025 presents both challenges and opportunities.

Our Cover story, titled Trouble ahead, gathers expert insights on how to prepare for contingencies. Lawyers point to a growing sense of caution among multinational corporations, particularly as Trump’s tariff strategies disrupt supply chains. With increasing compliance demands in China, Japan, Vietnam and beyond, companies are relying on legal counsel to mitigate risks and identify growth opportunities.

Key Asian markets are also undergoing pivotal transitions. Japan’s revised data protection laws impose stricter compliance measures. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s anticipated government restructuring could bring significant regulatory shifts, adding another layer of complexity for investors.

Asia Business Law Journal spoke with top legal minds in the region to assess how businesses should navigate the shifting regulatory landscape. From supply chain adjustments to new compliance hurdles, the road ahead is uncertain, but strategic legal foresight can turn challenges into opportunities.

Our Intelligence report, titled Balancing K-AI, explores South Korea’s pioneering move as the world’s second jurisdiction to introduce AI-governing legislation. As the country navigates the fine line between fostering innovation and imposing necessary restrictions, we examine how this balancing act could shape the future of AI regulation.

This issue’s Asia-specific, titled Moving with the Flow, delves into the shifting dynamics of legal workplaces across Asia. A new generation of lawyers is redefining professional expectations, prioritising work-life balance and well-being over traditional career structures. This report unpacks these evolving demands and their impact on law firms in the region.

Beyond workplace transformations, this issue also includes a News feature exploring the British Virgin Islands’ push to expand its business presence in Asia. During BVI Premier Natalio Wheatley’s recent Asia-Pacific tour, he visited the office of Law.asia to outline the territory’s strategy to attract investors and reinforce its status as a global offshore hub.

We are also thrilled to present our Japan Outbound Investment Guide, featuring expert legal insights to help Japanese in-house counsel and executives navigate overseas ventures.

Additionally, we bring you our Regional guides, which cover key legal developments across multiple industries. This issue features in-depth insights into data privacy laws in Taiwan, the Philippines and India, offering expert perspectives on evolving regulations.

Our AI guide provides a multi-jurisdictional analysis of the latest trends shaping artificial intelligence governance, while the energy guide explores regulatory frameworks in the Philippines, Taiwan and South Korea, helping businesses navigate this fast-changing sector.

Our Expert briefing articles delve into two timely topics. First, we look at the growing trend of Indian-origin startups opting for a “reverse flip”. We also take a detailed look at Japan’s Economic Security Promotion Act, unpacking its implications for businesses and investors operating in the region.

We are also proud to present the Thailand Law Firm Awards 2025, our prestigious annual recognition of the country’s most outstanding legal talents. These awards, based on our rigorous assessments, celebrate excellence, innovation and leadership in Thailand’s legal industry.

Finally, our annual Taiwan A-List highlights the top 100 lawyers plus 15 Legal Icons in the country. This list is selected by the independent research team of Asia Business Law Journal, based on nominations and endorsements from domestic and international clients, as well as peers worldwide.