The boutique law firm Hiratsuka & Co specialises in international shipping and insurance, with deep expertise in handling collisions, fires, other marine incidents, and a wide range of cargo claims. The team has extensive experience managing complex litigation and arbitration cases in Japan, particularly representing non-Japanese clients. Led by Makoto Hiratsuka, who has been described by clients as ‘the top shipping lawyer in Japan’, other key names within the team include the ‘attentive‘ Shinichiro Yamashita and Yuji Miyazaki, who have deep knowledge of both maritime and shipping law.

Nishimura & Asahi‘s shipping team advises the maritime industry on all aspects of domestic and cross-border ship chartering matters, marine container leasing, and financing transactions, including ship purchases, chartering, and debt financing. The team is led by Katsu Sengoku, who specialises in ship leasing, financing, and trading. Kosuke Shibukawa brings extensive experience in asset finance transactions involving vessels, marine containers, and aircraft, while Nobuhiko Harada offers expertise in vessel financing, chartering, and sales and purchases of vessels and marine containers. Key figures also include Adrian Joyce, who advises sponsors and financiers on complex cross-border projects and asset finance in the shipping, offshore, and LNG sectors, and Kentaro Miyagi, who specialises in asset finance and provides counsel on ship leasing, financing, and trading transactions.

The team at TMI Associates offers comprehensive legal services covering all aspects of shipping and maritime law, including shipping finance, and both dry and wet shipping matters. Led by Jumpei Osada, who is highly experienced in maritime litigation and shipping finance, the team also features Masaaki Sasaki, who specialises in resolving shipping disputes, including those related to charter parties, bills of lading, insurance, and shipbuilding contracts. Takuto Kobayashi, promoted to partner in January 2024, is an experienced litigator with expertise in international disputes and maritime arbitration.

City-Yuwa Partners‘ maritime team is well versed in handling cross-border maritime finance transactions, addressing legal and commercial issues, coordination, negotiations, and the tax and accounting aspects thereof. Led by Reiko Yoshida, who is also admitted to practice in the Marshall Islands, the team has extensive experience advising on the financial and corporate aspects of ship-related transactions in the maritime sector. The team's expertise extends beyond Japan and the Marshall Islands, providing legal advice across all major offshore jurisdictions.

Boutique firm Max Law Office has extensive experience in shipping matters, especially in acting for foreign PI clubs and shipping companies. Led by Takayuki Matsui, the team deals with a range of matters, from casualty to shipping litigation. Matsui has particular expertise in cross-border shipping litigation. Another name to note is Rie Akiba, who is well-versed in shipping finance.