Service
Corporate & Commercial Transactions
Strategic Contract Support Based on Japanese Law
We provide end-to-end legal support for the commercial contracts that form the foundation of your business activities – from drafting and review to negotiation support and the design of contract operation rules. We actively assist not only domestic clients but also overseas companies and Japanese subsidiaries engaging in transactions governed by Japanese law.
Focus on Business Viability
In complex transaction schemes, such as business alliances, joint development projects, and licensing agreements, we go beyond merely identifying legal risks. We prioritize structuring realistic contractual terms that align with your specific business objectives and operational realities, ensuring that the deal works in practice, not just on paper.
Cross-Border & English Contract Support
For English-language contracts, we carefully examine practical risks and implications under Japanese law, providing robust support throughout the negotiation phase to bridge legal and cultural gaps.
Preventive Systems & Governance
To prevent disputes after an agreement is signed, we also advise on establishing contract management systems and internal regulations tailored to cross-border transactions. Our goal is to provide continuous support that stabilizes and strengthens your global business operations.
Labor & Employment
Comprehensive Employment Law Support under Japanese Law
We provide comprehensive legal support for employment relationships governed by Japanese law, ranging from preventive measures to dispute resolution. Our services are tailored not only for domestic companies but also for foreign companies with Japanese subsidiaries and Japanese firms operating overseas.
Employee Management & Harassment Prevention
Navigating Japan’s strict labor laws requires a careful balance of legal precision and practical application. We provide strategic advice on:
- Managing difficult employees (disciplinary actions, termination, and reassignment).
- Harassment prevention and response, including power harassment, sexual harassment, and abusive behavior by customers (commonly referred to as customer harassment).
We ensure that your actions are legally sound while minimizing disruption to business operations.
Building a Resilient & Diverse Organization
We support the development of a resilient organizational framework. This includes drafting and reviewing codes of conduct, workplace rules, and HR policies to accommodate employees from diverse backgrounds.
Training & Ongoing Advisory Support
To foster a healthy workplace culture, we provide customized training for HR professionals and executives. From day-to-day consultations to complex labor disputes, we remain committed to supporting stable, compliant, and sustainable organizational management.
Antitrust & Competition Law
Navigating Complex Market Regulations in Japan
We provide focused support on compliance with Japan’s Antimonopoly Act (AMA) and the Subcontract Act. Our services are designed for domestic firms, foreign companies operating in the Japanese market, and overseas subsidiaries of Japanese companies. Through detailed investigation and analysis of your actual transaction flows, we identify and mitigate potential legal risks.
Building Practical Compliance Frameworks
We prioritize the development of effective compliance systems that function in practice. Our support includes:
- Drafting internal rules and compliance manuals
- Establishing internal reporting and consultation mechanisms
- Conducting customized training for officers and employees to enhance awareness
Specialized Support for the Subcontract Act
The Subcontract Act and related fair trade regulations in Japan are subject to frequent amendments and strict enforcement. We provide advice that takes into account the entire supply chain across your corporate group.
Representation in Regulatory Investigations
In the event of an investigation by the Japan Fair Trade Commission or other authorities, we provide comprehensive support—from the critical initial response through to final resolution—ensuring that your rights and interests are fully protected.
Litigation & Dispute Resolution
Strategic Conflict Management
We provide robust representation in negotiations and litigation for disputes with business partners and employees, grounded in Japanese law. Our practice covers not only domestic conflicts but also cross-border cases where Japanese jurisdiction or laws apply to commercial or employment relationships.
Rapid Analysis & Strategic Planning
When a dispute arises, speed is critical. We swiftly analyze the facts and secure necessary evidence to determine the optimal course of action. We carefully evaluate whether to pursue a negotiated settlement or to proceed with litigation, guiding you toward the most advantageous path.
Business-Centric Solutions
We view disputes not merely as legal confrontations but as critical management challenges that impact business continuity and commercial relationships. Our goal is to achieve realistic resolutions that minimize corporate loss and administrative burden. We strive to solve problems in a way that protects your bottom line and allows you to return to business as usual as quickly as possible.
Digital Risk Management, Personal Data & Privacy
Protecting Your Brand and Reputation Across Borders
Online information travels instantly across borders, directly impacting your company’s credit and global valuation. We provide specialized support under Japanese law to combat reputational damage, addressing harmful content originating from both within Japan and overseas.
Combating Defamation & Online Attacks
We take swift legal action against defamation found on social media platforms, review sites, and search engine results. Utilizing legal mechanisms such as deletion requests and requests for disclosure of sender information (legal procedures to identify anonymous posters), we aim to contain the spread of damage and achieve a rapid resolution.
Crisis Response for Data Leaks
In cases of suspected information leakage or misappropriation of trade secrets, we guide you through fact-finding investigations and internal crisis response protocols. Our practical advice is focused on controlling the situation and minimizing reputational risk, ensuring your business remains resilient in the face of digital crises.
Corporate Governance
Ensuring Compliance & Strategic Decision-Making
We provide comprehensive support for Shareholders’ Meetings and Board Meetings in compliance with Japan’s Companies Act. We assist domestic companies, firms with international shareholders, and Japanese subsidiaries of foreign entities in navigating Japanese procedural requirements and corporate governance standards.
Procedural Precision & Governance Support
We meticulously guide you through every statutory requirement, including:
- Notice and convocation procedures
- Drafting agendas and resolutions
- Managing meeting proceedings
- Drafting and finalizing minutes
Beyond mere compliance, we also advise on establishing decision-making processes designed to withstand scrutiny and prevent future disputes.
Resolving Corporate Control Disputes
In the event of shareholder conflicts or struggles for corporate control, we provide end-to-end support ranging from strategic negotiation to litigation, protecting the integrity of corporate management.
Intellectual Property
Protecting Your IP Assets and Managing Risks
We provide comprehensive support for intellectual property issues centered on Japanese law. Serving domestic companies, foreign firms, and Japanese subsidiaries abroad, we handle the protection of trademarks, copyrighted works, and designs, as well as the drafting and review of licensing agreements and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs).
Cross-Border IP Strategy
In cases involving international transactions, navigating the intersection of Japanese IP law and global business can be complex. We clarify the legal rights and potential risks under Japanese jurisdiction, aiming for practical solutions that facilitate smooth business operations.
Dispute Resolution & Enforcement
Should a dispute arise, we take decisive action to protect your intellectual property and business foundation. Our representation includes seeking injunctions (to stop infringing activities) and claiming damages for copyright infringement or unauthorized use of IP.
M&A
Seamless Support for Growth and Reorganization
We provide comprehensive legal support for M&A and business reorganization, covering the entire process from legal due diligence and contract drafting/negotiation to final execution (closing). We handle both domestic transactions between Japanese entities and cross-border deals governed by Japanese law.
Optimal Deal Structuring
We advise on the most effective schemes—including share transfers, business transfers (asset deals), company splits, and mergers—tailored to your specific business objectives and group structure. We meticulously identify and mitigate legal risks associated with each method to ensure the best possible outcome.
Safe & Smooth Execution
Our goal is to facilitate your company’s growth or reorganization safely and efficiently. We provide practical, hands-on legal assistance to ensure the transaction proceeds smoothly from start to finish, minimizing disruption to your business.