This episode feels a bit derivative, and that's probably because L&O episodes from the first 4 seasons have dealt with this kind of case before: a male victim who was a sleaze ball being seemingly murdered by a female lover/associate. The woman's defense attorney argues she was compelled to act due to abuse she endured at the hands of the Japanese victim - in this case, "battered wife syndrome" is the defense tactic of choice. It's employed by Joyce Reehling, who is here doing her second turn as proudly feminist defense attorney Mildred Kaskel; she was previously seen in the season 4 episode "Mayhem." Her client is Laura Linney, in a fine performance.
The most interesting aspects are the stuff to do with Japanese culture, including the issue of whether or not American and Japanese cultures have fundamentally different views about women: this conversation progressively inches towards racism, and the judge - an authoritative Shawn Elliott - will have none of it in his courtroom.
Still, it's territory L&O has covered before.