The Legal 500 > Asia Pacific > Japan > Intellectual property: Independent local firms

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune's intellectual property practice is made up of attorneys (bengoshi) and patent attorneys (benrishi). The firm is experienced in patent litigation, IP licensing, and transactions, as well as providing expertise in the areas of electronics, telecoms, computing, machinery, chemicals, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals. The practice also handles trademark and copyright matters across a range of sectors. The team’s benrishi are qualified to appear before the Japan Patent Office for patent prosecution proceedings and assist in the filing of patents, utility models, designs, and trademarks. The practice is co-led by Yasufumi Shiroyama, Yoshikazu Iwase, Akihito Nakamachi, Wataru Shimizu, Miki Goto, and Masayuki Yamanouchi.

The broad practice of Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu covers IP litigation and transactional matters, including due diligence, licensing, M&A, and IP finance. The firm has particular expertise in the areas of pharma and technology. Notable in the practice are Shunji Matsuda and former IP High Court judge Ryoichi Mimura. In a recent highlight, the team successfully represented Nintendo in litigation filed with the Tokyo District Court against Maricar for the use of Nintendo characters in its business. The court ruled that the defendant must stop such activities, constituting unfair competition.

Nishimura & Asahi is known for cross-border expertise in litigation, trademark and patent issues, acting for IT platforms, as well as telecoms and entertainment companies. The firm also has experience in the life sciences and pharma industries. Yoshiyuki Miyashita leads the practice and handles transactions and dispute settlements related to IP and IT. He can call on the expertise of Hitomi Iwase, who specialises in disputes and transactions involving trademarks, patents and IP across a range of sectors.

TMI Associates advises on a range of IP prosecution, litigation and commercialisation matters, but has a particular focus on infringement disputes, invalidation trials, and licensing agreements. The firm acts for domestic and overseas clients, notably in mechanical, electrical and chemical industries. Managing partner Katsuro Tanaka leads the practice with Tomohiro Tohyama, who is known for handling both contentious and non-contentious IP mandates, particularly in the media, entertainment, and IT sectors. The team includes brand protection expert Mitsuko Miyagawa, who has expertise in trademark, design, copyright, unfair competition and trade secret, representing clients in infringement proceedings as well as IP-related business negotiations.

Mori Hamada & Matsumoto is experienced advising international entities in data protection and copyright issues. The firm has particular expertise in the pharma and IT sectors, as well as providing strong litigation and trademark prosecution practices. The practice is co-led by Yutaka Miyoshi, who handles disputes, including patent, copyright, and trade secret litigation, as well as IP-related technology transactions; Yoshifumi Onodera, who focuses on domestic and international dispute resolution, arbitration and IP licensing matters; and Atsushi Okada, who specialises in IP infringement, IP transaction, and data protection.

Nakamura & Partners provides patent attorneys as well as attorneys experienced in the enforcement of intellectual property rights. Practice head Shinichiro Tanaka leads a team that includes Koichi Tsujii.

Atsumi & Sakai handles a range of IP matters, including registration, protection, as well as use and licensing of patent, copyright, and trademark rights. The firm has particular experience in IT and new technology issues, advising multi-national corporations, know-how providers, and international law firms on data protection, privacy, and social media laws. The team is co-led by Chie Kasahara, who focuses on IP, IT, TMT, and life sciences, with particular expertise in patent, regulatory, and compliance matters; Kunihiro Sumida, who is known for litigation relating to cross-border transactions and advice on labour and IP disputes; and registered foreign attorney Ian S. Scott, who specialises in advising international sports federations, teams, athletes, and sporting organisations, as well as media and entertainment companies. Also notable is counsel Chie Tabata, who advises on IP and media-related matters.

Sonderhoff & Einsel Law and Patent Office provides expertise in IP prosecution and enforcement, as well as advising on patent valuations, drafting of employee invention rules and patent infringement cases. The firm also has tax consultants and lawyers collaborating on IP-related matters that require specialist tax knowledge. With offices in Japan, China and Europe, the practice can advise local and international clients on a range of issues. The team is co-led by Hiroshi Morita, Shogo Matsunaga, Junichi Maekawa, Rui Ueshima and Hiroyasu Ninomiya. Also notable are Felix-Reinhard Einsel, who is a member of the New York bar and a Japanese patent attorney, and Saori Maekawa, who joined from Mori Hamada & Matsumoto in 2019, specialising in trade mark matters.

The 'professional and quality conscious’ SUGIMURA & Partners is ‘second to none in technical expertise’ and provides ‘quick turn around time' in a range of IP-related matters. The ‘committed, prompt and reliable’ firm specialises in Japanese patent and trademark work, with experience in inception, prosecution, exploitation and enforcement. Kenji Sugimura is known for experience in architecture, design, trademarks and international treaties. He co-leads the practice with Koji Sugimura, whose areas of focus include, intellectual property and corporate law, trade secrets, IT and entertainment.

Hiroe & Associates is ‘particularly attuned to the needs of the client’, combining ‘high technical and legal competence and quick reactions to inquiries’, with ‘great technical expertise.’ The firm provides a range of IP expertise in relation to patents, industrial design, trademark, copyright, translation, filing, prosecution and litigation. The practice also counsels on enforcement, licensing, and commercialisation. The team is co-led by Takenori Hiroe, who specialises in textile engineering, copyright and unfair competition; Masanori Hiroe, who 'always provides accurate legal advice very quickly'; and Satoshi Hashimoto, who focuses on procedures relating to patent applications, appeals, cancellation trials, and oppositions.