Abe, Ikubo & Katayama's practice is well-regarded for its strong capabilities in both IP litigation and procurement, advising clients across the telecoms, electronics, and pharma industries. The practice is co-led by Eiji Katayama whose expertise spans a wide range of corporate and international matters, with a particular emphasis on IP and bankruptcy. Alongside Katayama at the helm is Hiroshi Kobayashi who focuses on patent-related issues, including infringement, licensing and oppositions, particularly within the pharma, biotech, polymer, and agrochemical sectors. Junichi Kitahara specialises in IP-related litigation, representing clients in a variety of domestic and cross-border commercial disputes, with a focus on patent cases. Mami Hino is also a key name.

Anderson Mori & Tomotsune's practice provides targeted legal support across patent litigation, IP licensing, trade mark and copyright disputes, as well as in the range of tech-focused transactions. The team is spearheaded by Yasufumi Shiroyama, who acts for clients in a broad range of IP matters, including patent, trade mark, and copyright infringement cases, and Yoshikazu Iwase who has extensive experience handling patent infringement litigation in Japan. Akihito Nakamachi is also a key figure in the team who harnesses particular capabilities advising tech-driven clients, from start-ups to global corporates, on the range of IP matters.

Mori Hamada's team has expertise in handling IP infringement cases involving patents, design rights, trade marks and copyrights, as well as invalidation trials, appeals, and disputes over employee inventions. The team is co-headed by Yutaka Miyoshi who advises on a broad spectrum of contentious IP issues, including patent, copyright, and trade secret litigation, as well as IP-related tech; Yoshifumi Onodera who concentrates on both domestic and cross-border IP dispute resolution, arbitration, and licensing, covering patents, trade marks, and copyrights; and Atsushi Okada whose focus lies in IP litigation, tech-relates cases, and product liability disputes. Also of note is Hideaki Kuwahara who plays a key role in managing IP litigation and disputes.

Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu’s team handles both contentious and non-contentious matters. Its expertise spans IP litigation, due diligence, licensing, and research and development-related agreements. The group is also active in advanced tech and TMT-related issues, including cases involving AI, big data, standard essential patents, and 5G. The practice is headed up by 'leader in the field' Shunji Matsuda who has worked closely with Japanese government bodies and public sector agencies on the breadth of IP matters. Another key figure is Keiji Tonomura who advises domestic and international clients on IP and IT transactions, particularly in relation to data security and privacy. Tonomura’s work often focuses on the TMT sector and emerging tech-driven industries, such as the sharing economy, fintech, IoT and AI.

Nishimura & Asahi‘s offering provides end-to-end IP support to its clientele. Its workload ranges from prosecution and enforcement, to infringement and anti-counterfeiting matters. The practice is co-led by Hitomi Iwase who works on both contentious and transactional matters involving patents, copyrights, trade marks, trade secrets, and other IP issues across sectors such as IT, energy, financial services, and e-commerce. Alongside Iwase at the helm is Yoshiyuki Miyashita who has deep expertise in IP transactions and dispute resolution across industries including software, telecoms, film, and digital distribution. Another key practitioner is Yoko Kasai, who frequently acts for domestic and international life sciences and tech companies in the development and commercialisation of pharma, biologics, vaccines, diagnostics, medical devices and digital health products. Gai Matsushita is a noteworthy name also.

Atsumi & Sakai‘s group advises on both domestic and international contractual matters across the full spectrum of IP, including licensing agreements for patents, trade marks, designs, and copyrights, as well as employee invention regulations. The practice is co-headed by Chie Kasahara, an IP, TMT, and life sciences specialist with extensive experience in patent, regulatory and compliance matters, particularly within the life sciences and tech sectors; and Harukuni Ito who is highly experienced in patent litigation before Japanese courts and proceedings before the JPO, with expertise spanning electronics, automotive, machinery and pharma.

KUBOTA's team handles patent litigation in Japan as part of its workload, with expertise therein spanning all areas of tech. The team also undertakes the variety of trade mark-related work, covering prosecution, portfolio management, enforcement, Customs actions, online brand protection and transactional matters. The team is led by Eiichiro Kubota whose practice centres on IP litigation, covering both patents and trade marks, alongside licensing and strategic IP advisory work. Also notable is Kiyoko Nakaoka who is recognised for her strong technical expertise and complex patent disputes work. Other key names to note are Emiko Yano and Tomoko Honami for their work on life sciences and trade marks, anti-counterfeiting, customs seizures and unfair competition.

Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners‘ team provides strategic support to clients across the full lifecycle of IP matters, from contract planning and execution, to litigation defence and prosecution. The group is also experienced in drafting and negotiating agreements for the licensing of copyrights, trade marks, patents and other IP rights. The practice is headed by Takamitsu Shigetomi who specialises in IP licensing and litigation across diverse technical fields, including pharma, biotech, chemistry, mechanical and electrical engineering, and software. Ayaka Sugino handles both domestic and international IP disputes and transactions, with experience spanning trade marks, copyrights, design patents, trade secrets, and unfair competition.

The practice at TMI Associates is co-headed by Katsuro Tanaka and Tomohiro Tohyama who bring deep expertise in tech and IP-related transactions, such as licensing and tech transfer. Key practitioner Seiro Hatano has a wealth of experience in both contentious and non-contentious IP work, with a strong emphasis on trade mark and unfair competition matters. Seiro Hatano concentrates on sector spanning patent litigation and pre-litigation matters, as well as trials before the JPO. Makoto Okada harnesses a particular strength in patent disputes, including infringement cases, court actions seeking to overturn trial decisions, patent invalidation proceedings before the JPO, and import suspension matters. Hiroshi Nemoto is a key practitioner also.

Hiroe & Associates‘ team’s workload covers matters relating to patents, utility models, industrial designs, trade marks, copyrights, translations, searches, filings, prosecution and litigation, including matters of unfair competition. Takenori Hiroe‘s expertise lies in textile engineering, copyright, and unfair competition cases. Masanori Hiroe specialises in trade mark matters such as applications, appeals, cancellation trials and oppositions. Satoshi Hashimoto‘s focus areas include electrical engineering, magnetics, sensors, computers, software, mechatronics, optics, semiconductors, and materials. The three co-lead the practice.

Shusaku Yamamoto Patent Law Offices' team handles a broad spectrum of work, including appellate and Supreme Court litigation, IP due diligence, licensing and tech transactions, patent litigation and invalidations, unfair competition, as well as copyright and entertainment matters. The practice is headed by Kensaku Yamamoto who specialises in building strategic patent and trade mark portfolios, managing tech licensing, conducting risk assessments through clearance surveys, non-infringement and invalidity analyses, and enforcing patent and trade mark rights.

Miura & Partners‘ offering harnesses expertise across patent, design rights, trade mark, copyrights, trade secrets and unfair competition matters, as well as in the provision of support for newly established businesses. The team is headed by Satoshi Ikemura who has extensive experience handling matters in publishing, broadcasting, music, video, fine arts, photography, theatre, and IT, and has acted as legal counsel for leading publishing houses, television networks and other industry bodies. He is joined at the head of the practice by Yoshihiro Nishikawa whose practice centres on IP strategy and dispute resolution, and Seiji Matsuda who has broad IP experience.