Japan Equity Bank Launches Legal Consultation Column in Industry Magazine

Launch of Legal Consultation Column in 'Monthly Gas Station'

Japan Equity Bank Co., Ltd., a company based in Minato, Tokyo, specializing in succession guarantee services for gas station operators, has initiated a legal consultation column titled ‘Your Reliable Legal Consultation for SS Managers and Staff: Leave Gas Station Troubles to the Third-Generation Lawyer!’ in the prestigious industry magazine ‘Monthly Gas Station.’ The column, which debuted in the January 2025 issue, has recently seen its tenth installment published in the October edition.

Background and Objectives of the Column

The gas station industry is encountering profound legal risks due to intensified environmental regulations, operational challenges during energy transitions, labor management issues, and customer-related conflicts. This column aims to provide practical and comprehensible solutions to the legal issues that SS managers and staff face in their daily operations.

Recap of Previous Installments (January to October)

Throughout the series, the column has covered a range of practical themes in gas station management:

- January Issue: Addressing drivers suspected of drinking and driving.
- February Issue: Handling expensive items found during vehicle cleaning.
- March Issue: Liability considerations for incorrect fuel type instances.
- April Issue: Addressing reader-submitted legal inquiries.
- May Issue: Labor-related troubles in gas station management (recruitment focus).
- June Issue: Customer complaints and countermeasures against customer harassment.
- July Issue: Understanding the boundary between workplace romance and sexual harassment.
- August Issue: Reflections on participating in a webinar sponsored by the National Petroleum Retailers Association.
- September Issue: Identifying and mitigating antitrust law risks (cartel edition).
- October Issue: Important points regarding consumer protection laws in promotional campaigns.

Upcoming Topics (Scheduled)

Future installments will delve into interesting themes including:

- Three essential legal consultations everyone should be aware of.
- Labor-related issues in gas station management (termination focus).
- Legal risks and responses in franchise business setups.
- Key principles of inheritance to keep in mind.

About the Author | Koji Nishio, President of Japan Equity Bank

The column has been penned by Koji Nishio, the president of Japan Equity Bank and a practicing lawyer. Nishio leverages his unique understanding of the industry's specific circumstances to provide practical advice. As a ‘third-generation lawyer,’ he blends traditional legal knowledge with a modern business perspective, ensuring the content remains relatable and supportive for readers.

Profile: Born in 1983 as the son of a gas station owner in Sakai City, Osaka. After graduating from Chuo University with a degree in law, he completed his legal studies at Osaka City University. Simultaneously, he played as a key player in the top-tier American football league X League while effortlessly passing the bar exam on the first attempt. He trained under Taichiro Motohira, known for founding the legal consultation platform ‘Bengoshi.com®’ and promoting digital contracting through ‘CloudSign®’. Currently, he serves as a managing partner at Authense Law Office, overseen by Motohira, delivering tailored legal and succession support to business owners. Nishio’s strategic thinking and teamwork skills, honed through professional sports, empower clients to carve out a promising future. His commitment to aiding gas station operators ensures they can confidently take their next steps, providing diligent and accurate support throughout their journeys.

About 'Monthly Gas Station'

‘Monthly Gas Station’ is a highly regarded management magazine tailored specifically for the SS industry, offering valuable information on management strategies, marketing, legal regulations, and cutting-edge technologies essential for effective gas station operations.

Visit Monthly Gas Station

Future Developments

Japan Equity Bank is dedicated to contributing to the sound development of the SS industry and the reduction of legal risks through this ongoing column. The bank will also actively respond to individual legal inquiries and support solutions for management challenges.