A market leader in the area of IP law, Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) houses a bilingual team (English and Japan) and regularly advises multinational companies on contentious and cross-border matters. With an expansive international network and prodigious expertise in trade mark law, the team is particularly well equipped to handle global trade mark and patent searches and has an established record representing some of the world’s leading brands. Kensaku Takase, a seasoned IP expert with expertise in the field of trade marks, copyrights and designs, leads the team supported by Yosuke Takenaka, whose practice focuses on IP prosecution and litigation. Rising stars in the practice include Tsugihiro Okada, who was recently promoted to counsel, and Ayako Nakano. Yuki Kondo rejoined the firm following a secondment in the US, while Kei Matsumoto left the firm in October 2022.

Situated within a globally integrated network and fielding a market leading IP team, Hogan Lovells Horitsu Jimusho Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo is one of the few firms to offer its clients multidisciplinary skills across sectors such as life sciences, automotive, infrastructure and energy. The team is co-led by Lloyd Parker, a renowned expert in trade marks, and Frederick Ch’en, who leverages his scientific training to advise on a broad range of IP matters in the life sciences sector. Hiroto Imai is an active and experienced practitioner in infringement, brand protection and enforcement, whilst Tomoe Takahashi has a broad legal skillset making her a sought-out litigator for auditing global IP portfolios. Other key members in the practice include Nicolas Hirt, Aki Koshizuka and Mikako Tsukada.

A large specialist team with a comprehensive IP offering, Morrison Foerster is well placed to handle a broad array of contentious and non-contentious IP transactions with a multi-jurisdictional element. Particular expertise in the software, fintech and medical device sectors is coupled with in-depth knowledge of the automotive and aerospace industries. The team is co-led by Louise Stoupe, Yuka Teraguchi and Masato Hayakawa, who bring their substantial expertise to advise on high-tech disputes, international arbitration and litigation, adversarial patent litigations and licensing negotiations. They are joined by Max Olson, who advises on trade mark, patent litigation and international arbitration and Chie Yakura, who strengthens the practice with her in-depth knowledge of technology transfers and antitrust law. Other practitioners of note include Yukihiro Terazawa, Seth Graham and Akira Irie.

With a broad IP practice and a focused local practice in Japan, Jones Day is well placed to advise across a range of industries with particular expertise in the life sciences and technology sector. The team is led by Michiru Takahashi, a principal expert in domestic trade marks practice in Japan. Takahashi is joined by Shogo Asaji, a bilingual practitioner, who uses his engineering background to advise on multi-jurisdictional dispute matters.

Well versed in representing domestic and international clients before Japan’s IP High Court, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP specialises in patent disputes, copyright, trade mark actions and trade secret actions. The practice is led by Shinsuke Yakura, a dual-qualified (US and Japan) IP practitioner, who is highly regarded for his cross-border experience. He is supported by senior associates Masao Fujino, who specializes in patent infringement disputes and trade secrets, and Anri Nakamoto, who is highly regarded for contentious and non-contentious IP matters.

With a broad expertise in sectors from technology and healthcare to e-commerce and data science, DLA Piper Tokyo Partnership Gaikokuho Kyodojigyo Horitsu Jimusho stands out for its depth of scientific and technical knowledge. Under the leadership of Tomomi Fujikouge, an expert on the domestic regulatory environment, the practice advises many leading brands seeking to expand into the Japanese market. Shingo Okada advises on regulatory matters and competition laws, whilst Naoto Kosuge and Eric Yao are other practitioners of note.

Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP works in both the domestic and international context on a range of matters including IP disputes and licensing matters among other transactions. The team is co-led by Motonori Araki and Jitsuro Morishita, and is widely recognized for providing global litigation support to Japanese companies along with overall global IP strategies with a particular emphasis on US patent filings. Other litigators of note include Mitsuyoshi Saito.

An experienced team headquartered in Tokyo, Paul Hastings LLP is noted for its expertise in complex patent mandates. Under the leadership of Hiroyuki Hagiwara, the practice continues to grow in the area of life sciences and pharmaceutical mandates. The team places particular emphasis on licensing and monetising client’s intellectual property. Other key practitioners include rising star Kyotaro Ozawa, who focuses on international property litigation and government investigations.

Well known for its expertise in dispute resolution, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP specialises in assisting Japanese and Asian clients involved in litigation and arbitrations in the United States and Europe. With a network of offices in the US and Germany, the firm excels in patent infringement actions. The group is led by practice head Ryan Goldstein, noted for his sector expertise in advanced technologies, software and mechanical engineering.