The Reform of Japanese Contract Law and the Principle of Self-Responsibility

I. Introduction | II. Two Functions of the Principle of Self-responsibility | III. The Reform of the Japanese Civil Code | 1. Legislative Process in Japan | 2. Scope of the Reform | IV. The Rules on Formation of Contracts | 1. Codification of the General Principles | 2. “Consensualization” of “Real Contracts” | 3. The Rules on Protection of the “Weaker Party” | 4. Incorporation of Standard Contract Terms | V. The Rules on the Content of a Contract: The Law on Breach of Contract | 1. Prerequisites for Damages | 2. Liability of the Seller | VI. The Rules on Adjustment of Contracts | 1. “The Principle of Change of Circumstances”: An Unsuccessful Attempt at Codification | 2. Adjustment of Standard Contract Terms | 3. Reform of the Law of Prescription | VII. Concluding Remarks