Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) has a strong reputation for its IP law offering in Tokyo, collaborating with the firm’s international network to advise on a wide range of multijurisdictional matters across the Asia Pacific region, including portfolio management, IP-related transactions, disputes, anti-counterfeiting, and trade secret protection. With considerable experience handling trade mark, copyright, and design issues, Kensaku Takase leads the group. Yosuke Takenaka’s practice covers copyright and domain name disputes, while Daisuke Tatsuno focuses on IP matters in the IT, telecoms, and broadcasting spaces, among others. Tsugihiro Okada, Ayako Nakano, Ayako Suga, and Megumi Santo are other key contacts, with combined expertise encompassing trade mark registration and portfolio management.

Hogan Lovells Horitsu Jimusho Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo’s practice in Tokyo advises on the full range of contentious and non-contentious IP matters, including trade marks, patents, designs, copyrights, trade secrets, and unfair competition. The group’s broad experience encompasses the life sciences, automotive, financial, infrastructure, energy, and TMT sectors, among others. With over 30 years of experience in trade marks and designs, Asia regional managing partner Lloyd Parker leads the group alongside Frederick Ch’en, who offers expertise in patent litigation, commercial IP, and licensing matters. Tomoe Takahashi is noted for her experience in trade mark enforcement and portfolio management. Hiroto Imai is active in the automotive, entertainment, electronics, and consumer goods sectors.

Morrison Foerster’s IP group in Tokyo offers a comprehensive service covering patent analysis, technology development and licensing, and litigation proceedings. The practice works with major clients operating in the semiconductor, software, IT, fintech, and pharma spaces, among others. Louise Stoupe, Yuka Teraguchi, and Masato Hayakawa, all of whom have considerable experience handling IP matters, jointly lead the practice. Litigator Max Olson is noted for his expertise in patent and trade secret disputes, and patent license negotiations. Chie Yakura plays a key role in the team, advising clients in the software, hardware, consumer electronics, and biotech sectors on IP and trade secret matters.

Jones Day has several experienced lawyers in Tokyo working on intellectual property matters, with the team particularly noted for its work in the life sciences sector. Trade mark practitioner Michiru Takahashi, who has over 30 years of experience advising major international brands, leads the team. Shogo Asaji leverages his engineering background to advise on global patent disputes involving mechanical, electrical, chemical, and biological technologies. Shunji Fukasaka plays a key role in advising on patent, trade mark, and design matters.

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP’s Tokyo office handles the full spectrum of IP work, with noted expertise in the tech and life sciences sectors. Dividing his time between the firm’s Tokyo and New York offices, Motonori Araki focuses on IP licensing, due diligence, and disputes in the life sciences and electronics spaces. He leads the team alongside Jitsuro Morishita, who offers considerable experience in IP disputes involving wireless communication, digital imaging, semiconductor, pharma, and auto technology. Mitsuyoshi Saito is a key contact for Japanese and international clients from the electronics, IT, manufacturing, and pharma sectors.

DLA Piper Tokyo Partnership Gaikokuho Kyodojigyo Horitsu Jimusho’s intellectual property team in Tokyo is noted particularly for its experience handling data privacy matters for Japanese and international companies with operations in Japan. With a varied practice covering IP licensing, trade mark/copyright, and data privacy matters, Tomomi Fujikouge leads the group. Naoto Kosuge, Shingo Okada, and Fumiya Matsumoto provide key support.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s IP practice in Tokyo continues to advise major clients on inbound and outbound contentious IP matters as well as on IP licensing and portfolio management, among other non-contentious issues. Anri Nakamoto handles patent and trade secret matters. Shinsuke Yakura  and Masao Fujino are no longer at the firm.

Paul Hastings LLP’s IP team in Tokyo collaborates with the firm’s international network to advise major Japanese and international companies, particularly those in the life sciences sector, on major international matters, including patent infringement and enforcement cases. Kyotaro Ozawa has notable experience in trade secrets litigation. Former practice head Hiroyuki Hagiwara left the firm in August 2024 to join the Tokyo office of a US-based life sciences company.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP’s Tokyo office works with the firm’s international network to advise Japanese and Asian clients in relation to IP litigation and arbitration proceedings in the US and Europe. Ryan Goldstein’s considerable business litigation experience includes patent and IP disputes. He has notable experience in cases involving cellular communications, semiconductors, encryption, and automobile technology, among others.