The japanese investigative industry: Toward the year 2000

AbstractUnderstanding the Japanese approach to professional private investigations can provide insight into Japanese competitive intelligence, especially since the collection of business information—often related to proposed mergers and acquisitions—is a task that many investigative firms provide. The intelligence gathered also commonly focuses on intellectual property‐related matters, leaks of corporate information, industrial espionage incidents, and technical surveillance countermeasures. There is currently no Japanese law governing the private investigative industry and no legal obligation to register in order to open an agency. However, firms are expected to carry out investigations in a legal and ethical manner, and industry leaders are promoting greater professionalization. At the forefront of this effort is the Japan Investigative Services Association, which has some 2,000 member firms nationwide. About 90% of these are small and medium enterprises capitalized at less than US$100,000. Almost all have fewer than 50 employees. The Tokyo Intelligence and Research College, established in 1992, is also aiding professionalization by producing qualified investigative specialists. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.