Mori Hamada & Matsumoto continues to handle the full spectrum of TMT-related matters. The group displays vast experience in multinational restructuring, high-value transactions, regulatory matters, and IP litigation. The exceptional team is co-led by partners Koichiro Iida, Atsushi Okada, and Hiromi Hayashi. Iida advises a number of banks and tech companies on regulatory issues concerning data protection, Okada is well placed to handle mandates involving autonomous vehicles, drones, and digital health regulation, and Hayashi is known for advising on license requirements under the Radio Wave Act. For matters on cybersecurity, IT, and data protection, Daisuke Tsuta comes highly recommended. Norihito Sato has broad expertise in the automotive sector.

Hailed by clients as a 'beacon of legal excellence', the team at Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu maintains its stellar reputation for advising clients on M&A and corporate transactions within the tech industry, and is particularly skilled at handling space-related matters involving cross-border business collaborations, satellite services, space tourism, and space resource mining. The team is co-led by Soichiro Fujiwara and Keiji Tonomura, whose collective experience spans the full range of TMT related issues, having both advised international and domestic clients on matters concerning software, online gaming, metaverse, robotics, and healthtech. Ryo Okubois well known for his deep experience of the telecommunication, IT, and space industries.

Spearheaded by partners Asa Shinkawa and Yoshinobu Fujimoto, Nishimura & Asahi houses an excellent team of TMT experts. The firm handles a wide variety of matters for fintech and automotive industry clients, and has experience advising on a range of matters from litigation and joint ventures, to data protection, privacy, and regulatory concerns. Takahiko Date is recommended for his deep expertise in handling M&A and corporate restructuring transactions, while Kojiro Fujii has in-depth knowledge of the public policies and regulations governing the TMT sector. Other key members of the team include Hiroshi Uchima and Gai Matsushita.

In addition to leveraging its strong international network, Anderson Mori & Tomotsune recently established its own data privacy and digital practice group which is dedicated to advising on all matters concerning data privacy, data protection, and cybersecurity. The team has vast experience in advising its varied client base of domestic and international TMT companies on regulatory matters, M&A, and crisis management. Miki Goto, who is known for his 'special' expertise and 'profound' knowledge of data protection and IP, advises numerous large electronic companies. Takashi Nakazaki is recommended for his expertise in advising on software development, platform services, and digital forensics related mandates. Kensuke Inoue and Hitoshi Ishihara are key names of note within the team.

Chie Kasahara and Harukuni Ito co-lead the TMT team at Atsumi & Sakai, alongside Fumiaki Matsuoka and Osamu Fujiwara, who head the data, privacy, and cybersecurity team. The firm assists clients with a wide variety of matters, including cyber-attacks, IP disputes, and compliance with the Personal Information Protection Act. Takufumi Ochiai sits within the firm’s fintech team, and represents both Japanese and foreign clients. Kasahara and Ito primarily act for pharma clients in IP and data protection related matters, Matsuoka focuses on cyber security issues, and Fujiwara is noted for his broad corporate expertise.

Specialising in matters related to IT and intellectual property rights within the TMT sector, TMI Associates is led by Atsushi Igarashi, who has extensive experience advising on data protection and privacy issues for companies within the areas of technology, telecommunication, media, and entertainment. Partner Mihoko Shintani is recommended for matters relating to robotics, AI, satellite data, and food tech. Other exceptional members of the team include partners Takuya Yamago for his skill within the telecom industry, and Tetsuya OI for his experience with cloud services, internet infrastructure, and ad technology.

Southgate with its ‘unique ability to bridge international gaps’ is a go-to firm for global investors looking for an experienced team to handle M&A and venture capital matters within the technology sector. Co-led by partners Eric Marcks, Takeshi Iitani, and Gaku Yoneyama, the firm regularly represents startups in Japan as well as across the world. Other key members of the team include associates Takahito Fujii and Akira Kawashiro.

Ushijima & Partners have experience in providing support to businesses on new information & communication technology; the firm also regularly advises on cybersecurity and data protection matters from various jurisdictions, including U.S., China, and the EU. The TMT team is headed by partner Hiroyasu Kageshima, who handles a variety of matters, including data leakage, internet service, personal data, and IT system development. Partner Kohei Tsuji is an expert in data privacy and has experience with complex cross-border personal information transfers in over numerous jurisdictions.

The practice at City-Yuwa Partners is jointly led by Arata Nomoto and Yumiko Aoi. Nomoto primarily assists digital entertainment clients on IP transactions and advertising, while Aoi maintains a tech focused practice, having deep knowledge of corporate matters and employment disputes. The team is particularly experienced with representing game developers and publishers in matters concerning copyright infringement, e-commerce, online events, and licensing.

Shusaku Yamamoto Patent Law Offices is well-placed to advise a diverse range of clients within the TMT sector on cryptocurrency, data infrastructure technology, and blockchains. The team, led by managing partner Kensaku Yamamoto, regularly acts for clients in multi-jurisdictional infringement litigation cases, patent term extensions, and regulatory matters. The team is particularly skilled at handling matters within the life sciences and pharmaceutical industries.