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Dispute resolution: Independent local firms

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Anderson Mori & Tomotsune

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Anderson Mori & Tomotsune handles a diverse spectrum of disputes, including international arbitration, commercial litigation, shareholder conflicts, product liability issues, and cross-border trade disputes. Hiroki Wakabayashi is highly regarded for his deep expertise in dispute resolution across both domestic and international matters. He regularly advises and represents a broad clientele of Japanese and foreign corporations in disputes involving commercial transactions, IT system development, shareholder derivative claims, real estate matters, administrative actions, professional negligence, white-collar investigations, and employment-related conflicts. When it comes to complex business disputes, such as those arising from joint ventures, licensing agreements, construction projects, product liability, and financial instruments, clients frequently turn to Aoi Inoue for strategic counsel and representation. He is especially noted for his work in cases involving labour and employment matters. Masahiro Yano brings wide-ranging experience to litigation and alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and international arbitration, where he advises on multifaceted commercial disagreements involving both domestic and overseas parties.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Accolades

Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘AMT has very talented litigation lawyers who are familiar with foreign practice as well. Unlike the other traditional Japanese law firms, they understand the commercial interests of foreign firms and take action based on that. They also have strong collaboration with foreign law firms as well as Japanese academic scholars. ’

  • ‘The team at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune is distinguished by the strong strategic direction provided by its partners. This leadership allows them to effectively organise large-scale teams and establish a robust operational framework capable of managing a significant volume of cases with high efficiency.'

  • ‘‘This dispute resolution team is composed of excellent partner attorneys and many quick-moving junior attorneys. They not only inspire confidence but also swiftly deliver satisfying results.’

  • ‘Mr. Kei Akagawa skillfully leads this team with great efficiency. He keeps lines of communication open with clients and proactively designs the best operational framework for his team.’

  • ‘Hiroki Wakabayashi is a former judge and possesses deep insight into how Japanese courts evaluate cases and what strategies are effective in relation to them. He has a strong professional network among Japanese attorneys, including close collaboration with attorneys at boutique firms specialising in disputes.’

  • ‘Led by Mr.Aoi Inoue, the team has ample experience in domestic and international dispute resolution. Based on that experience, they can provide specific suggestions on how to scrutinise contract contents and avoid risks.’

  • ‘Mr. Aoi Inoue is a leading arbitration lawyer and listens to his customers' problems, explains issues and solutions from a broad perspective in an easy-to-understand way, And under him, team members, each well-experienced in their own field, solve problems satisfactorily.'

  • ‘Extensive experience in litigation. A reliable technique backed by such experience.’

Key clients

  • Zeon Corporation
  • Taiwan Semiconductor Co., Ltd. and Taiwan Semiconductor Japan Ltd.
  • Mitsuiwa Corporation
  • Google LLC
  • Shimizu Corporation
  • JVCKENWOOD Corporation
  • Dip Corporation

Work highlights

Advising Google in a high-profile litigation concerning user reviews on Google Maps—a core feature at the intersection of free speech and platform liability.
Defended Dip Corporation, a TSE-listed recruitment platform, in a landmark civil lawsuit over platform liability—following a 2024 incident in which an unknown third party used Dip’s system to target lawyers with thousands of fraudulent job applications.
Representing Suruga Bank in a wave of investor-led litigation involving allegations of misconduct related to real estate investment loans. As of January 2025, around 40 lawsuits have been filed nationwide—many raising complex legal and factual questions.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Leading partners: Bengoshi

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Leading associates

Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.

Other key lawyers

Hiroki Wakabayashi; Aoi Inoue; Masahiro Yano; Kei Akagawa

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