Semiconductors are critical components that form the foundation of virtually all modern technologies and industries, including computers, smartphones, consumer electronics, automobiles, and medical devices. Their global importance continues to grow. This blog provides an overview of recent legal developments in the semiconductor markets of Japan and the United States.

On June 11, 2025, Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate issued a memorandum to all U.S. Department of Justice Civil Division employees outlining enforcement priorities under directives from President Trump and Attorney General Bondi. The Memorandum signals a shift in federal enforcement focus to issues such as discrimination, gender transition care, and immigration, and identifies the False Claims Act as a tool to achieve certain of the Administration’s goals.  

The Central District of California recently shut down, on preemption grounds, a group of class-action plaintiffs’ second attempt to assert claims alleging that benzoyl peroxide (BPO) in over-the-counter (OTC) acne treatments unavoidably degrades into the carcinogen benzene.