The team at Abe, Ikubo & Katayama has ‘deep knowledge and expertise’ in IP infringement litigation and procurement, benefiting from a combination of experienced litigators and patent lawyers in the chemical, biotech, software, and electronics fields. The team is jointly led by Eiji Katayama, who is well-versed in domestic and cross-border intellectual property-related matters, and Hiroshi Kobayashi, who is experienced in infringement, opinion, licensing, and opposition patent-related matters. Junichi Kitahara and Makoto Hattori focus on patent litigation and trade secret litigations, respectively, representing both domestic and international clients. Mami Hino is a name to note in relation to pharma patent protection.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They are very responsive and great to work with. They have a very deep knowledge and expertise and know how to get difficult cases granted.’

  • ‘Abe, Ikubo & Katayama stands out in the Japanese IP market due to its very responsive approach and accurate analysis. We greatly value their ability to quickly address inquiries and provide clear, precise legal guidance for IP matters. Their commitment to responsiveness and meticulous attention to detail make them a trusted partner for legal matters in Japan. For these reasons, we are always happy to collaborate with them on a wide spectrum of IP issues.’

Key clients

  • Apple
  • Novartis
  • Eli Lilly
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Sharp
  • Dow Chemical
  • Suntory
  • Takeda
  • Astellas
  • Komatsu

Lawyers

Leading partners: Bengoshi
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading partners: Benrishi
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Eiji Katayama, Hiroshi Kobayashi

Other key lawyers

Junichi Kitahara, Makoto Hattori, Mami Hino