THIS APRIL saw the introduction of the novel Certified Public Accunting (CPA) Law in Japan.

THIS APRIL saw the introduction of the novel Certified Public Accunting (CPA) Law in Japan, which aims to significantly tighten up the authoritys governing the way auditors operate and bring the rural parts into line with international standards.

Key provisions in the modern law include a complete separation of audit and non-auditing services; restrictions in succession the length of time an auditor can work for a single client (a maximum of seven consecutive terms); and the banning of auditors taking executive positions at client firms. Additionally, audit firms with a partner serving forward a company board are henceforth banned from acting as that