Anderson Mori & Tomotsune‘s intellectual property department contains both bengoshi and dedicated benrishi, with experience across patents, trademarks and copyright law. The team handles high value multijurisdictional matters for high-profile clients, with significant experience in both disputes and transactional matters. This includes broad sector expertise, with proficiency across the chemical, pharmaceutical, automotive and technology industries. Yasufumi Shiroyama heads the practice, co-leading the team alongside a diverse team of IP experts. These include Yoshikazu Iwase, who has litigation expertise across patent infringement and revocation suits, Akihito Nakamachi, who is dual US (New York and California) and Japan qualified, and is particularly focused on the technology sector, and Wataru Shimizu, whose broad practice includes industry-university cooperation and intellectual property management. Also co-leading are Miki Goto, who covers patents, licensing, trade secrets, and trademarks, Masayuki Yamanouchi, who specialises in the pharmaceutical sector, and Nobuto Shirane, who handles patent litigation and licensing.

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto‘s well regarded intellectual property team covers all relevant areas of intellectual property, with significant experience in infringement cases involving patents, design patents, trademarks and copyrights, invalidation trials, appeals, and employee interventions. The department represents both domestic and multinational clients, and has the depth to support these both globally and before the highest Japanese courts. Yutaka Miyoshi, who has broad disputes expertise across patent litigation, copyright litigation, and trade secret litigation, co-leads the department alongside Yoshifumi Onodera, who is experienced in both domestic and international dipute resolution and arbitration, particularly across China and other Asian countries. Also co-leading is Atsushi Okada, who covers IP infringement litigation, IP transactions and data protection. Associate Hideaki Kuwahara is also noted.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu covers both litigation and transactions, and has notable expertise in the technology sector, able to cover IP matters related to artificial intelligence, big data, and blockchain technology. The well regarded team attracts both major domestic and multinational clients. Core team members include Shunji Matsuda, who has more than 20 years’ experience in the practice area, and handles high value litigation matters for high profile clients. Former Tokyo District Court judge Kenji Tosaki is also key, and specialises in representing clients in litigation within the pharmaceutical industry. Keiji Tonomura is also noted for his experience on complex cross-border matters, and work within the TMT sector.

Nishimura & Asahi provides strategic advice on a diverse set of matters, including major transactions, corporate disputes, and large-scale IP lawsuits. The department has notable strength in media and entertainment, but has broad sector expertise which includes the technology, pharmaceutical, and life sciences industries. Clients include a range of high profile Japanese clients, including numerous names active on a global scale. Co-leading the team are Yoshiyuki Miyashita, who has significant experience working on IP matters across the TMT sectors, and Hitomi Iwase, who handles trademarks, patents, and copyrights in a wide range of sectors. Yoko Kasai is a name to note, with a practice which focuses on corporate transactions involving complex intellectual property issues. Gai Matsushita joined to firm on 1 April.

TMI Associates‘ ‘excellent team’ covers the full range of contentious and transactional IP matters, with expertise in a range of industries including media, sports, and technology. The department acts for a number of high profile clients, including Dr. Marten brand owner Airwair International. Katsuro Tanaka and Tomohiro Tohyama lead the team, which includes Mitsuko Miyagawa, who has more than 30 years’ experience handling trademarks, designs, copyrights and trade secrets, and Makoto Okada, who is an expert in patent disputes.

Atsumi & Sakai advises on domestic and cross-border contractual arrangements across all areas of IP law, including patent rights, trademark rights, design rights and copyrights. The team also has experience handling the IP elements of corporate transactions and joint ventures. Chie Kasahara is lead manager for the department, and has more than 20 years’ experience working on IP matters related to TMT and life sciences. Harukuni Ito works with Kasahara as a sub manager. Ito has broad experience which inlcudes brand protection, disputes and litigation, and transactions. Gai Matsushita has left the firm.

KUBOTA‘s well regarded patent and trademark practice is known for its strength in both contentious and non contentious matters, with significant experience across portfolio management, enforcement, customs actions, and prosecution. Founding partner Eiichiro Kubota has worked in the area for more than 20 years. Other core team members include benrishi Emiko Yano, whose particular area of expertise is the pharmaceutical industry, and Kiyoko Nakaoka, who specialises in the protection of IP, most notably patent litigation and anti-counterfeits. Associate Tomoko Honami is also noted.

Nakamura & Partners consists of both patent attorneys and lawyers, with dedicated teams which facilitate broad sector coverage. The team’s strength across patents, designs, and trademark rights has attracted a number of high profile clients, including both multinational corporations and high-net-worth individuals. Shinichiro Tanaka leads the legal section within the department, working alongside Daisaku Fujikura, who leads on trademarks, electronics head Hiroyuki Suda, mechanical team lead Yasufumi Yamamoto, chemical & biotechnology lead Kazuo Yamasaki, and head of design Hiroko Suzuki.

Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners‘ IP department operates as part of the firm’s full service offering, with expertise in transactions and licensing agreements, in addition to a significant IP dispute resolution practice. Takamitsu Shigetomi leads the team, and is active on both licensing and litigation in a broad range of sectors, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, mechanical engineering and computer software. Also key are Toshiya Furusho, who covers patent, trademark, design, copyright and unfair competition, and Takashi Hirose, who handles international IP transactions and litigations.

Hiroe & Associates provides a diverse range of IP services, including patents, trademarks, copyright, unfair competition and prosecution. Chairman and managing partner Takenori Hiroe has experience in all areas of IP, and particularly focuses on unfair competition cases and IP rights disputes. He co-leads the team with managing partner Masanori Hiroe, who handles trademark applications, appeals, cancellations, and oppositions; and Satoshi Hashimoto, who works on patent infringement suits, internet-related copyright infringement cases, and contract drafting.