The team at Abe, Ikubo & Katayama has ‘deep knowledge and expertise’ in IP infringement litigation and procurement, benefiting from a combination of experienced litigators and patent lawyers in the chemical, biotech, software, and electronics fields. The team is jointly led by Eiji Katayama, who is well-versed in domestic and cross-border intellectual property-related matters, and Hiroshi Kobayashi, who is experienced in infringement, opinion, licensing, and opposition patent-related matters. Junichi Kitahara and Makoto Hattori focus on patent litigation and trade secret litigations, respectively, representing both domestic and international clients. Mami Hino is a name to note in relation to pharma patent protection.

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune‘s team brings a wealth of expertise in IP licensing and transactions, with strong knowledge in fields such as electronics, telecoms, machinery, and pharma. The team is led by Yasufumi Shiroyama, Yoshikazu Iwase, Wataru Shimizu, Miki Goto, and Masayuki Yamanouchi, all of whom are highly skilled in patent litigation. Shitoyama specialises in domestic and international tech transfers and medical products, while Iwase provides counsel on U.S. patent infringement matters in Japan. Shimizu is an expert in industry-university collaborations and brand management, and Yamanouchi has extensive experience in trade marks, copyright, and trade secrets. Another notable member is Akihito Nakamachi, who advises tech-driven clients.

The team at Mori Hamada & Matsumoto Tokyo Office is highly experienced in handling both domestic and cross-border IP-related infringement matters, such as patents, trade marks, and copyrights. The team is led by Yutaka Miyoshi, who has extensive experience in IP-related tech transactions, including M&A and licensing; Yoshifumi Onodera, who focuses on international dispute resolution, arbitration, and licensing with expertise in chemistry and biology; and Atsushi Okada, who is well-versed in tech law matters, such as those concerning product liability. Hideaki Kuwahara is a name to note in relation to IT-related dispute resolution matters, including complex system development disputes and sender information disclosure litigation.

The team at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu handles both IP litigation and transactional matters, including due diligence, licensing, and R&D agreements, with a focus on tech areas like AI and big data. Shunji Matsuda leverages his extensive experience with the Japanese government and public sector agencies to advise clients on IP litigation, while Kenji Tosaki is well-versed in pharma-related IP disputes. Keiji Tonomura has deep expertise in domestic and cross-border IP and IT transactions, including data security and privacy. Atsushi Yamaguchi was promoted to partner in January 2024.

Nishimura & Asahi‘s team manages multi-jurisdictional IP litigation, advising clients on emerging issues like AI and IoT, with additional expertise in the media and entertainment industry. The team is jointly led by Hitomi Iwase, who handles both disputes and transactions involving trademarks, patent, and copyright in wide range of sectors; while Yoshiyuki Miyashita, who has extensive experience in IP and IT transactions and dispute resolution, representing mass media and telecommunication companies. Naoko Omukai has strong expertise in advising on brand and design practice, including anti-counterfeiting matter. Toshihiko Hamano was promoted to partnership in January 2024.

Atsumi & Sakai‘s team advises on domestic and cross-border contractual agreements covering all types of IP, including licensing agreements for patents, trade marks, designs, copyrights, and regulations related to employee inventions. The team is jointly led by Chie Kasahara, who is highly experienced in advising corporations on protecting their IP rights related to tech, biotech, and medicine, and Harukuni Ito, who is well-versed in handling patent litigation and proceedings before the Japanese Patent Office in areas such as electronics, automotive machinery, and pharma. Ian Stanley Scott is a name to note in relation to sport and entertainment-related IP advisory.

Led by Eiichiro Kubota, the team at KUBOTA is well-versed in trade mark work, such as portfolio management and enforcement, customer actions, and internet-related matters, with particular strengths in the life science sector. The team also includes Kiyoko Nakaoka, who has a strong technical background, and Emiko Yano, who has extensive experience in domestic and cross-border life sciences-related matters. Yusuke Inui is a name to note in relation trade mark portfolio matters.

Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners‘ team has extensive experience in handling domestic and cross-border IP matters related to the licensing of copyrights, trade marks, patents, and know-how, as well as drafting and negotiating related contracts. Led by Takamitsu Shigetomi, the team assists international clients with patent lawsuits simultaneously filed overseas and trade mark invalidation litigation across Asia. Shigetomi specialises in IP licensing and litigation in pharmaceutical, engineering, and computer software fields, while Shigetoshi Hirano has extensive experience in entertainment law, a combined field of copyright, trade mark, and IP property creation. Toshiya Furusho is a key figure in trade mark and unfair competition litigation, particularly in relation to brand manufacturing.

The team at Hiroe & Associates offers comprehensive IP services in patents, utility models, industrial designs, trade marks, copyrights, and unfair competition in Japan, while also supporting clients with enforcement, licensing, and commercialisation strategies. The team is jointly led by Takenori Hiroe, who is well-versed in copyright, unfair competition, and licensing consultancy-related infringement matters; Masanori Hiroe, who focuses on trade mark applications, appeals, and opposition matters; and Satoshi Hashimoto, who has extensive experience in patent infringement matters related to the areas of electrical engineering, mechatronics, and optics. Tetsunori Yoshida is another name to note.