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.

Mori Hamada is a premier full-service firm with robust capabilities in handling both domestic and international disputes. The firm’s dispute resolution team is particularly strong in areas such as corporate litigation, bankruptcy, employment law, and tax-related controversies. Their expertise extends across courtroom litigation and both local and global arbitration proceedings. The team is jointly helmed by a trio of seasoned practitioners. Mugi Sekido brings extensive experience in cross-border litigation and international arbitration. Kana Manabe plays a key role in overseeing high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional disputes, while Yoshinori Tatsuno is recognised for his depth of knowledge in intellectual property conflicts and construction-related disputes. For cases involving IT system failures and real estate-related litigation, clients regularly seek the guidance of Koichiro Iida, known for his practical and technical understanding of these complex sectors. Meanwhile, Daniel Allen has been actively engaged in proceedings conducted under leading international arbitration frameworks, including UNCITRAL, SIAC, JCAA, and CAS, reinforcing the firm’s international reach and credibility.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu is widely recognised for representing major domestic and international corporations in high-stakes, complex disputes. The firm’s litigation and arbitration practice spans proceedings before Japanese courts, as well as international arbitration and mediation forums. The team brings deep expertise across a broad range of specialised areas, including commercial transactions, intellectual property, taxation, product liability, securities, and consumer protection. At the helm, Koki Yanagisawa leads the practice with a strong focus on disputes involving commercial, antitrust, and employment law. He has acted for a diverse portfolio of Japanese and global clients across multiple sectors in litigation, arbitration, and mediation. Yoshimi Ohara is a prominent figure in international arbitration, regularly acting under institutional rules such as ICSID, SIAC, ICC, AAA/ICDR, and JCAA. Her cross-border experience makes her a key adviser in globally sensitive matters. Yoshihiro Takatori brings further depth to the team with his focus on international litigation and alternative dispute resolution, reinforcing the firm’s ability to manage disputes that require multi-jurisdictional strategy and coordination.

Nishimura & Asahi boasts a highly experienced arbitration team, with particular strength in investment treaty arbitration, international commercial arbitration, and cross-border mediation. The group is adept at handling complex, high-value disputes across a variety of industries and jurisdictions. Leading the team is Hiroyuki Tezuka, a seasoned practitioner in international arbitration, litigation, and mediation. He has acted for a wide range of multinational clients, including global manufacturers, insurers, and media companies, and is well-regarded for his strategic handling of cross-border disputes. Akihiro Hironaka is known for managing large-scale, intricate disputes, particularly within the automotive and pharmaceutical sectors. He has extensive experience in international arbitration proceedings, including emergency arbitrator mechanisms, under major institutional rules such as ICC, SIAC, and JCAA. Lars Markert plays a pivotal role in advising Asian clients on German and broader European legal matters, while also assisting European companies in navigating their operations and disputes in Japan and other parts of Asia. Also notable for their growing profiles and contributions to key matters are Yutaro Kawabata and Chié Nakahara, who continue to support the firm’s reputation in both domestic and international dispute resolution.

Abe, Ikubo & Katayama is widely recognised for its strength in dispute resolution, with a particular emphasis on intellectual property litigation. The team frequently handles complex infringement cases across a wide range of technical sectors, including chemicals, biotechnology, life sciences, telecommunications, software, electronics, and mechanical engineering. The practice is jointly led by Eiji Katayama and Yasuhiko Ikubo. Katayama brings specialised expertise in both intellectual property and bankruptcy law, positioning him as a trusted adviser in high-stakes matters involving cutting-edge technologies. Ikubo, a well-experienced litigator, has significant experience in major corporate disputes, having represented clients in landmark cases involving environmental pollution, pharmaceutical liability, lender misconduct, and complex product liability litigation. Naho Ebata focuses on a broad spectrum of intellectual property rights, advising clients on patents, trademarks, copyrights, and design rights, as well as matters involving unfair competition. Her work spans both litigation and advisory roles, including legal opinions and licensing matters, with experience across sectors such as life sciences, fashion, and technology.

City-Yuwa Partners is well-regarded for its robust bankruptcy and restructuring practice, alongside strong capabilities in commercial, patent, construction, and real estate litigation. The firm brings a multidisciplinary approach to dispute resolution, advising clients across a range of complex legal issues. Shigeaki Ito leads the practice with a focus on real estate transactions, corporate governance, and shareholders’ meetings, advising clients on matters at the intersection of property and corporate operations. Yoko Maeda maintains a highly active international arbitration practice, both as counsel and arbitrator. Her work spans a wide array of industries, including construction, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, energy, intellectual property, and joint ventures, advising on issues such as distributorships, licensing, and international sales of goods. She has acted in proceedings under the rules of major arbitral institutions, including AAA/ICDR, ICC, SIAC, and VIAC.

TMI Associates has a well-rounded disputes practice, handling a broad range of matters in commercial, intellectual property, tax, and administrative law. The team represents clients in proceedings before Japanese courts, at both trial and appellate levels, as well as in arbitration settings. The group is led by Ryosuke Ito, who oversees the firm’s litigation and arbitration efforts across multiple practice areas. Makoto Okada is highly regarded for his work in intellectual property, particularly in the area of patent law. His experience spans both contentious and non-contentious IP matters, with a strong emphasis on patent infringement litigation and actions to rescind trial decisions in court. Keishiro Tashiro focuses his practice on commercial litigation and pre-dispute strategy. He has been involved in complex matters concerning director liability, shareholder rights, mergers and acquisitions, derivatives, contract interpretation, and mass tort claims.

Ushijima & Partners is active in a wide range of international litigation and arbitration matters, particularly in the areas of real estate, securities, corporate law, tax, and internet infringement. The practice is co-led by Shin Ushijima, who has deep expertise in arbitration involving international transactions, M&A, system development, anti-monopoly issues, labour law, and tax. Fellow co-leader Osamu Inoue focuses on real estate disputes, with particular experience in cases involving land contamination, building defects, and underground industrial waste. Kenji Sarukura brings significant experience in corporate litigation, especially M&A-related disputes, as well as complex construction cases involving intricate defect claims. Satoshi Yakushiji is regularly involved in matters relating to contracts, governance, and regulatory compliance.

Miura & Partners is frequently engaged in high-stakes international dispute resolution, with its legal team handling a diverse array of complex matters. Notably, the firm has been involved in a hostile takeover case involving a J-REIT and is also representing Japanese investors in a group claim under an investment treaty arbitration. The disputes practice is led by a strong team of seasoned professionals. Norika Yuasa brings deep expertise in both domestic and cross-border commercial disputes, spanning litigation and arbitration. Yoshie Midorikawa is particularly skilled in handling international arbitration cases under a variety of rules, including ICC, HKIAC, UNCITRAL, and ICSID. Tomotake Matsuda offers broad advisory support across sectors such as manufacturing, telecoms, financial services, and retail. For matters related to civil litigation, bankruptcy, and criminal proceedings, clients regularly rely on Sho Isoda’s trusted guidance and courtroom experience.

Tokyo International Law Office regularly represents high-profile clients in complex cross-border disputes, covering areas such as securities fraud, product liability, trademark enforcement, and real estate contract litigation. The firm is known for its sophisticated handling of international matters across a wide range of industries. At the helm of the team is Koki Yamada, a respected authority in cross-border litigation and mergers and acquisitions, particularly trusted by major institutional clients. Mikiharu Mori is a standout figure in the practice, advising both Japanese and multinational companies on outbound and inbound M&A transactions, infrastructure development, global compliance, and regulatory investigations. Also notable is Earl Rivera-Dolera, who represents clients in international arbitration under the rules of leading arbitral bodies, including the VIAC and JCAA.

Atsumi & Sakai is particularly well-regarded for its strengths in finance, innovation, and the renewable energy sector. The firm frequently handles complex, cross-border legal matters involving employment law, intellectual property, and antitrust issues, often advising both Japanese and international clients. The disputes team is co-led by a number of accomplished practitioners. Kohei Murakawa brings extensive experience as legal counsel in international litigation, arbitration, and investigations, particularly in sectors such as energy, shipping, IP, international trade, and competition law. Toshiaki Takahashi regularly advises a wide range of domestic and global companies, as well as investment funds, in both domestic and cross-border disputes. Teruhisa Toyama complements the team with deep expertise in securities litigation, tax-related matters, and corporate risk management.

Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners is frequently engaged in international commercial disputes, with its team advising on a broad range of matters including product liability claims, tort litigation, antitrust antimonopoly issues, and global intellectual property conflicts. The practice is co-led by several accomplished lawyers. Teppei Mogi is recognised for his comprehensive counsel on complex agreements involving distribution, licensing, joint ventures, M&A, and large-scale infrastructure projects. Yugo Komori is a key figure in product liability litigation, while Takuro Yamaguchi focuses on labour-related disputes and director & officer liability matters. Aiko Hosokawa brings significant expertise in international arbitration, frequently representing clients under the rules of major institutions such as the ICC, SIAC, AAA-ICDR, and JCAA. For clients in industries such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemicals, mechanical and electrical engineering, and software, Takamitsu Shigetomi stands out for his work in intellectual property licensing and complex IP disputes.

Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo covers a range of contentious mattes, with expertise in litigation and arbitration. The group handle financial disputes, liability cases, and issues relating to media and press law, and benefits from supplementary aptitude assisting in internal and external investigations. Kazuki Okada, a notable expert in employment law, leads the department. Akiko Yamakawa is a key name, with expertise in both litigation and arbitration. Akira Nakazawa contributes aptitude in regulatory disputes in the life sciences sector.

ZeLo, a Foreign Law Joint Enterprise offers broad contentious expertise, frequently handling litigation in the corporate and fintech sectors. The team is led by Shota Ojima, whose dispute resolution practice is supplemented by coverage of IP and non-contentious corporate matters. Yusuke Mizuno provides key support, having joined the team in 2024 from Nishimura & Asahi.