ABOUT US

• 1. Supporting forward-looking business through global perspective and deep expertise
  2. Our firm was established in 1983, at the dawn of rapid globalization in international business, to meet the increasingly complex and diverse needs of cross-border transactions and corporate alliances. Founded by attorneys with extensive practical experience in both the United States and Europe, the firm was later joined by lawyers well-versed in key areas of domestic corporate litigation, including intellectual property, labor, bankruptcy, and tax law. This has enabled us to build a robust framework for addressing a wide range of legal challenges, both in Japan and abroad.
  3. Since our inception, we have played a key role in cutting-edge matters within international trade, including numerous anti-dumping investigations and antitrust cases in the U.S. and Europe involving semiconductors, mobile phones, multifunction printers, and other technologies. We have earned a reputation as a trusted partner, not only for individual corporations but also for entire industry associations.
  4. In the 1990s, we provided front-line legal support for major Japanese trading houses in large-scale project finance transactions spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa—advising from international negotiations through to contract execution.
  5. From the 2000s onward, we have further deepened our expertise in intellectual property law, focusing on patent and copyright litigation between Japan and the United States, as well as the drafting and negotiation of license agreements. Our work also spans high-level M&A transactions, appointments of outside directors and auditors, and providing regulatory advice to U.S. companies under Japan’s Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act (PMD Act), demonstrating our commitment to specialized and evolving legal fields.
  6. In recent years, we have built a diverse track record in domestic and international arbitration. Our attorneys have represented clients in complex, high-stakes international arbitration matters under the rules of institutions such as the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA), the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC), and the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). We were involved in the very first arbitration under JCAA’s Interactive Arbitration Rules and have also served as arbitrators ourselves.
  7. ince 2010, we have also actively supported Japan’s national universities and national research and development agencies. By drafting model agreements for industry-academia collaboration—such as joint research agreements, material transfer agreements (MTAs), license agreements, and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs)—and by organizing training seminars, we have helped bridge the gap between academic institutions and industry.
  8. As artificial intelligence continues its rapid evolution, its use in the legal field—particularly generative AI—is drawing increasing attention. While the technology holds promise, challenges remain regarding its maturity and the risk of misinformation (so-called "hallucinations"). Though some predict the arrival of a technological singularity where AI may surpass human intelligence, our firm remains confident that reasoned judgment, grounded in ethics, rationality, and uniquely human perspective—the "variant view"—is essential to delivering high-quality legal services.
  9. Building on the knowledge, experience, and values we have cultivated over the years, we remain committed to our role as a boutique law firm, specializing in niche and high-value practice areas, and supporting the ambitions and growth of our clients both in Japan and around the world.

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