Housing a sizeable team of bilingual ‘skilled practitioners’, Morrison Foerster‘s Tokyo office offers domestic and international clients assistance with Japanese and US litigation matters as well as international arbitration cases. The group is particularly known for its strong sectorial expertise in electronics, computer, semiconductor and e-commerce. Recently, it has also been handling an increasing number of disputes in the automotive and life sciences sector. Co-practice head Louise Stoupe focuses on representing tech companies in multi-jurisdictional and complex commercial litigation and arbitration cases. Assisting international clients with Japanese litigation cases is co-practice head Yuka Teraguchi, who also handles IP licensing work and compliance issues. Max Olson is a key contact for patent litigation, license negotiations and trade secret disputes. Akira Irie is especially sought after to represent clients before US district courts, the US International Trade Commission and the US Patent and Trade Office.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP offers domestic and international clients representation in large high-profile cross-border litigation and arbitration cases in connection with a wide range of matters, including M&A, joint ventures and labour law. Another area of particular strength of the practice is data protection and cybersecurity, where it often assists Japanese companies and government bodies with global compliance issues. As part of its regulatory contentious offering, the team advises on white-collar crime, whistleblowing, anti-bribery and anti-corruption matters. Leading the group is Shinsuke Yakura, who is recommended for IP and dispute resolution matters. Yakura is supported by senior associate Haruka Matsumoto, who is noted for his experience in handling fraud investigations and compliance matters for foreign subsidiaries of Japanese companies.

Clifford Chance houses a team of Japanese and English law-qualified practitioners, who offers domestic and international clients from a wide range of sectors, most notably construction, energy, financial services and automotive, assistance with international disputes. Another area of particular strength of the practice is investigations and compliance matters involving bribery, money laundering, cartel and corporate misfeasance allegations. Counsel Peter Harris specialises in investor-state arbitrations, while Tess Forge and Mohsun Ali are key contacts for financial crime compliance matters.

Squire Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo Horitsu Jimusho has extensive experience in handling litigation and arbitration, with a focus on commercial matters, including licensing, distribution, technology transfer, product liability claims and contractual disputes. The group is particularly strong and sought out for its expertise in cross-border commercial disputes, especially cases before California courts, the US District Court for the Southern District of New York and the ICC. The practice is jointly led by Matthew Digby, David Miyamoto and David Yaegashi, who was promoted to partner in January 2022. Digby often handles IP, trade secrets and antitrust disputes in California and New York while Yaegashi is recommended for product liability and tort matters. Miyamoto focuses on litigation and alternative dispute resolution arising from licensing deals, M&A and joint ventures.

With a proven track record in representing Asia-based clients in investigations and enforcement actions before the US Department of Justice and other foreign regulators, Kaede Toh leads the Tokyo-based team at Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise, which works in an integrated basis with the firm’s global litigation department, covering the US, Europe and Asia. As part of its offering, the group handles disputes and compliance matters across a wide range of areas, including antitrust and competition, IP, product liability, white collar crime, and employment.