The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2012

Award Recipients

Hiroki Wakabayashi
HirokiWakabayashi
Tokyo
Partner
Wakabayashi Hiroki
Tokyo
Partner
Hiroki Wakabayashi is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, primarily representing both Japanese and non-Japanese financial institutions, audit corporations and business corporations in transaction disputes, professional responsibility disputes, labor relation disputes and other types of disputes, based on his experience as a lawyer as well as a judge. In addition to these corporate related disputes, he also practices in the areas of inheritance and domestic relations.
Hiroki Wakabayashi is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, primarily representing both Japanese and non-Japanese financial institutions, audit corporations and business corporations in transaction disputes, professional responsibility disputes, labor relation disputes and other types of disputes, based on his experience as a lawyer as well as a judge. In addition to these corporate related disputes, he also practices in the areas of inheritance and domestic relations.
Tatsu Katayama
TatsuKatayama
Tokyo
Of Counsel/Advisor
Katayama Tatsu
Tokyo
Of Counsel/Advisor
Tatsu Katayama is a partner whose areas of expertise are international banking, finance and securities matters on behalf of foreign clients. Mr. Katayama has been individually named as a leading lawyer in Japan in banking and finance and capital markets matters as well as real estate transactions in legal periodicals such as Chambers International and Euromoney. He often works together with overseas legal counsel on these matters and is well accustomed to meeting the needs of overseas clients as well as foreign-subsidiary domestic clients. Mr. Katayama served as the international director of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations. He has expertise in cross border legal practices, anti-money laundering and other international aspects of bar issues.
Tatsu Katayama is a partner whose areas of expertise are international banking, finance and securities matters on behalf of foreign clients. Mr. Katayama has been individually named as a leading lawyer in Japan in banking and finance and capital markets matters as well as real estate transactions in legal periodicals such as Chambers International and Euromoney. He often works together with overseas legal counsel on these matters and is well accustomed to meeting the needs of overseas clients as well as foreign-subsidiary domestic clients. Mr. Katayama served as the international director of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations. He has expertise in cross border legal practices, anti-money laundering and other international aspects of bar issues.
Yasufumi Shiroyama
YasufumiShiroyama
Tokyo
Partner
Shiroyama Yasufumi
Tokyo
Partner
Yasufumi Shiroyama is a partner who heads all aspects of the firm's intellectual property group practice, including: ・Drafting and arguing complaints, motions, answers and other pleadings for patent, trademark, copyright and know-how infringement litigation in district and appellate courts in Japan, on behalf of both Japanese and foreign companies; ・Drafting and arguing complaints, motions, answers and other pleadings for litigation arising in relation to technology transfer agreements, compensation for employee's invention, and allegedly defective products, etc. in district and appellate courts in Japan, on behalf of both Japanese and foreign companies; ・Drafting and negotiating various technology transfer agreements on behalf of both Japanese and foreign companies; ・Managing written discovery in cooperation with U.S. counsel for a Japanese client in patent license related litigation in U.S. federal court; ・Managing appellate litigation matters seeking nullification of decisions of the Japanese Patent Office; ・Drafting and arguing complaints, motions, answers and other pleadings in invalidation trial and opposition procedures before the Japanese Patent Office; and ・Advising on regulatory matters for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, chemical products, and personal data etc.
Yasufumi Shiroyama is a partner who heads all aspects of the firm's intellectual property group practice, including: ・Drafting and arguing complaints, motions, answers and other pleadings for patent, trademark, copyright and know-how infringement litigation in district and appellate courts in Japan, on behalf of both Japanese and foreign companies; ・Drafting and arguing complaints, motions, answers and other pleadings for litigation arising in relation to technology transfer agreements, compensation for employee's invention, and allegedly defective products, etc. in district and appellate courts in Japan, on behalf of both Japanese and foreign companies; ・Drafting and negotiating various technology transfer agreements on behalf of both Japanese and foreign companies; ・Managing written discovery in cooperation with U.S. counsel for a Japanese client in patent license related litigation in U.S. federal court; ・Managing appellate litigation matters seeking nullification of decisions of the Japanese Patent Office; ・Drafting and arguing complaints, motions, answers and other pleadings in invalidation trial and opposition procedures before the Japanese Patent Office; and ・Advising on regulatory matters for pharmaceutical products, medical devices, chemical products, and personal data etc.
Masaakira Kitazawa
MasaakiraKitazawa
Tokyo
Of Counsel/Advisor
Kitazawa Masaakira
Tokyo
Of Counsel/Advisor
Masaakira Kitazawa is an of counsel at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune and specializes in banking, securities, general corporate and commercial law. He advises domestic and foreign clients on financial regulatory matters, including corporate governance and compliance as well as transactional work, acquisition and restructuring of corporate group entities, M&A, tender offers, private equity investments and securitization. Mr. Kitazawa was also involved in many public offerings, including IPOs and listings on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Among others, his projects and transactions include the following: Acting as chief legal advisor to a temporarily nationalized Japanese bank, which was subsequently privatized; providing ongoing advice to the subsequent entity in connection with all aspects of its business, including government relations, banking, commercial transactions, acquisitions and general advice to management. Acting as chief legal advisor to a major Japanese bank targeted by Japan’s first hostile (later non-hostile) tender offer initiated by a Japanese financial group. Advising a UK investment bank following its failure to abide by regulations in connection with Asian futures transactions. The work involved intense negotiations with Japanese financial authorities, the stock exchange and courts. Advising a major US financial institution on all aspects of its operations in Japan, including its consumer finance subsidiaries, acquisitions of other companies and issues related to compliance with stringent Japanese regulatory requirements. Advising a major UK based venture capital and private entity in connection with its establishment and subsequent investment activities in Japan. Securitization of real property and other assets owned by solvent and insolvent insurance companies on behalf of funds managed and administered by a major US investment bank. Advising the UK Government, issuers and/or underwriters on secondary offerings in privatization initiatives undertaken with respect to the electricity, gas and water sectors in the UK.
Masaakira Kitazawa is an of counsel at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune and specializes in banking, securities, general corporate and commercial law. He advises domestic and foreign clients on financial regulatory matters, including corporate governance and compliance as well as transactional work, acquisition and restructuring of corporate group entities, M&A, tender offers, private equity investments and securitization. Mr. Kitazawa was also involved in many public offerings, including IPOs and listings on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Among others, his projects and transactions include the following: Acting as chief legal advisor to a temporarily nationalized Japanese bank, which was subsequently privatized; providing ongoing advice to the subsequent entity in connection with all aspects of its business, including government relations, banking, commercial transactions, acquisitions and general advice to management. Acting as chief legal advisor to a major Japanese bank targeted by Japan’s first hostile (later non-hostile) tender offer initiated by a Japanese financial group. Advising a UK investment bank following its failure to abide by regulations in connection with Asian futures transactions. The work involved intense negotiations with Japanese financial authorities, the stock exchange and courts. Advising a major US financial institution on all aspects of its operations in Japan, including its consumer finance subsidiaries, acquisitions of other companies and issues related to compliance with stringent Japanese regulatory requirements. Advising a major UK based venture capital and private entity in connection with its establishment and subsequent investment activities in Japan. Securitization of real property and other assets owned by solvent and insolvent insurance companies on behalf of funds managed and administered by a major US investment bank. Advising the UK Government, issuers and/or underwriters on secondary offerings in privatization initiatives undertaken with respect to the electricity, gas and water sectors in the UK.
Shigeyoshi Ezaki
ShigeyoshiEzaki
Tokyo
Partner
Ezaki Shigeyoshi
Tokyo
Partner
Shigeyoshi Ezaki is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune and has a general corporate practice, which includes advising and assisting Japanese and foreign clients with respect to antimonopoly law, corporate law, trade regulations and intellectual property law. In addition to his professional experience at the firm, Mr. Ezaki worked for the New York firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges as a foreign attorney (1998 to 1999).
Shigeyoshi Ezaki is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune and has a general corporate practice, which includes advising and assisting Japanese and foreign clients with respect to antimonopoly law, corporate law, trade regulations and intellectual property law. In addition to his professional experience at the firm, Mr. Ezaki worked for the New York firm of Weil, Gotshal & Manges as a foreign attorney (1998 to 1999).
Takashi Akahane
TakashiAkahane
Tokyo
Partner
Akahane Takashi
Tokyo
Partner
Takashi Akahane is a partner, whose practice includes Project Finance, Private Finance Initiatives and various financial transactions. Mr. Akahane also advises various Japanese ministries, municipalities, and multinationals regarding PPP (public private partnership) and social and economic infrastructure projects.
Takashi Akahane is a partner, whose practice includes Project Finance, Private Finance Initiatives and various financial transactions. Mr. Akahane also advises various Japanese ministries, municipalities, and multinationals regarding PPP (public private partnership) and social and economic infrastructure projects.
Isao Shindo
IsaoShindo
Tokyo
Partner
Shindo Isao
Tokyo
Partner
Isao Shindo is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, who has been involved principally in the fields of banking, securities transactions, asset management, insurance, trust and structured finance, as well as M&A projects involving financial institutions and insurance companies. Mr. Shindo has long experience representing a large number of Japanese and foreign financial firms with respect to various aspects of their businesses in Japan, including regulatory issues. Mr. Shindo is a pioneer in the area of advising financial institutions regarding global multi-currency loan facilities. Mr. Shindo has also acted as Japan counsel in relation to the merger of major global financial companies.
Isao Shindo is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, who has been involved principally in the fields of banking, securities transactions, asset management, insurance, trust and structured finance, as well as M&A projects involving financial institutions and insurance companies. Mr. Shindo has long experience representing a large number of Japanese and foreign financial firms with respect to various aspects of their businesses in Japan, including regulatory issues. Mr. Shindo is a pioneer in the area of advising financial institutions regarding global multi-currency loan facilities. Mr. Shindo has also acted as Japan counsel in relation to the merger of major global financial companies.
Eiichiro Nakatani
EiichiroNakatani
Tokyo
Partner
Nakatani Eiichiro
Tokyo
Partner
Eiichiro Nakatani is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, and advises and assists various domestic and cross border contracts and transactions, with an emphasis on international taxation matters. Ranked as the leading global tax lawyer by the Tax Directors Handbook for many years. Ranked in Band 1 of the Leading Individuals, Tax, Japan of "Chambers Asia" for many years.
Eiichiro Nakatani is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune, and advises and assists various domestic and cross border contracts and transactions, with an emphasis on international taxation matters. Ranked as the leading global tax lawyer by the Tax Directors Handbook for many years. Ranked in Band 1 of the Leading Individuals, Tax, Japan of "Chambers Asia" for many years.
Tsutomu Miyano
TsutomuMiyano
Tokyo
Partner
Miyano Tsutomu
Tokyo
Partner
Mr. Miyano's practice, through over 35 years of his professional carrier, covers really a wide range of areas, including general corporate, commercial transactions, M&A, labor issues and international finance (including securities issuance). He also handles litigations and other dispute solutions and crisis management for corporate clients. So, he is the real "general corporate" lawyer himself. Amongst his wide coverage of practice areas, he has been acting as a regular counsel for several medical device and pharmaceutical companies in Japan and also involved in many transactions relating to them (such as M&A, establishment of joint venture, etc.). He also represents many clients in the telecommunication business sector. He is also knowledgeable regarding restructuring of defaulted bonds (including sovereign bonds), the conducting of related bondholders' meetings.
Mr. Miyano's practice, through over 35 years of his professional carrier, covers really a wide range of areas, including general corporate, commercial transactions, M&A, labor issues and international finance (including securities issuance). He also handles litigations and other dispute solutions and crisis management for corporate clients. So, he is the real "general corporate" lawyer himself. Amongst his wide coverage of practice areas, he has been acting as a regular counsel for several medical device and pharmaceutical companies in Japan and also involved in many transactions relating to them (such as M&A, establishment of joint venture, etc.). He also represents many clients in the telecommunication business sector. He is also knowledgeable regarding restructuring of defaulted bonds (including sovereign bonds), the conducting of related bondholders' meetings.
Hironori Shibata
HironoriShibata
Tokyo
Partner
Shibata Hironori
Tokyo
Partner
Hironori Shibata is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune and is engaged principally in the fields of general corporate matters, international finance and cross-border M&A transactions, with an emphasis on international capital market, public offering and other transactions involving restructuring of financial business.
Hironori Shibata is a partner at Anderson Mori & Tomotsune and is engaged principally in the fields of general corporate matters, international finance and cross-border M&A transactions, with an emphasis on international capital market, public offering and other transactions involving restructuring of financial business.
Yoshikazu Iwase
YoshikazuIwase
Tokyo
Partner
Iwase Yoshikazu
Tokyo
Partner
Yoshikazu Iwase joined Anderson Mori & Tomotsune after working with an intellectual property firm in Tokyo for three years. His litigation experience involves a number of patent infringement trials and revocation suits against the trial decisions of the Japanese Patent Office concerning patentability/validity of patents over various technologies. He has also been involved with a wide range of trademark/trade dress and copyright infringement suits, licensing and IP assets transfer transactions, and dispute resolution. Mr. Iwase has provided a wide range of advice regarding U.S. patent infringement issues in Japan. His experience also includes drafting and negotiating licensing, patent and various intellectual property transfer agreements, transactions and due diligence of intellectual property in the course of M&A deals.
Yoshikazu Iwase joined Anderson Mori & Tomotsune after working with an intellectual property firm in Tokyo for three years. His litigation experience involves a number of patent infringement trials and revocation suits against the trial decisions of the Japanese Patent Office concerning patentability/validity of patents over various technologies. He has also been involved with a wide range of trademark/trade dress and copyright infringement suits, licensing and IP assets transfer transactions, and dispute resolution. Mr. Iwase has provided a wide range of advice regarding U.S. patent infringement issues in Japan. His experience also includes drafting and negotiating licensing, patent and various intellectual property transfer agreements, transactions and due diligence of intellectual property in the course of M&A deals.
Satoshi Inoue
SatoshiInoue
Tokyo
Partner
Inoue Satoshi
Tokyo
Partner
Mr. Inoue is a partner of Anderson Mori & Tomotsune who has been involved primarily and has extensive experience in the field of leveraged finance, private equity, and structured finance. He has also been involved in turnaround transactions and debt restructuring for insolvent enterprises.
Mr. Inoue is a partner of Anderson Mori & Tomotsune who has been involved primarily and has extensive experience in the field of leveraged finance, private equity, and structured finance. He has also been involved in turnaround transactions and debt restructuring for insolvent enterprises.
Akiko Kimura
AkikoKimura
Tokyo
Of Counsel/Advisor
Kimura Akiko
Tokyo
Of Counsel/Advisor
Akiko Kimura is an of counsel principally handling international finance matters, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate affairs. She has been involved in a wide range of public offerings and private placements of shares, bonds and other securities by Japanese companies overseas, and by supranational organizations, foreign governments and foreign private entities in Japan. She has also acted as legal advisor in connection with the privatization of foreign and Japanese governmental institutions, as well as initial public offerings by foreign and Japanese companies. She has been involved in the demutualization of a Japanese life insurance company and in the acquisition by a Japanese company of a foreign company through exchange of shares, each of which was the first of transaction of its kind in Japan. She also handles a wide variety of corporate transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures and licensing arrangements.
Akiko Kimura is an of counsel principally handling international finance matters, mergers and acquisitions, and general corporate affairs. She has been involved in a wide range of public offerings and private placements of shares, bonds and other securities by Japanese companies overseas, and by supranational organizations, foreign governments and foreign private entities in Japan. She has also acted as legal advisor in connection with the privatization of foreign and Japanese governmental institutions, as well as initial public offerings by foreign and Japanese companies. She has been involved in the demutualization of a Japanese life insurance company and in the acquisition by a Japanese company of a foreign company through exchange of shares, each of which was the first of transaction of its kind in Japan. She also handles a wide variety of corporate transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, joint ventures and licensing arrangements.