With a broad IP practice and a focused local practice in Japan, Jones Day is well placed to advise across a range of industries with particular expertise in the life sciences and technology sector. The team is led by Michiru Takahashi, a principal expert in domestic trade marks practice in Japan. Takahashi is joined by Shogo Asaji, a bilingual practitioner, who uses his engineering background to advise on multi-jurisdictional dispute matters.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The Japanese team is well versed in representing US clients and works as an integrated partnership with the US and European teams. It is very convenient to work with a team that has that level of global coordination and that also understands the US mentality. Jones Day has a coordinated billing approach so that one main partner reviews all the bills globally to ensure that the team is consistent.'
  • 'I have worked closely with Shogo Asaji for many years on projects ranging from IP advice, PTE prosecution, pre-litigation analysis and other areas. He is attentive to detail, very responsive, understands how to present to US companies, and is a tremendous liaison between US companies and Japanese counsel.'

Key clients

  • Dell Inc.
  • Educational Testing Service
  • Kaken Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.
  • Kiss Nail Products, Inc.
  • NGM Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
  • Ricoh USA, Inc.
  • Sunkist Growers, Inc.
  • The Noco Company
  • Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd
  • Wikimedia Foundation Inc.

Work highlights

  • Advises Dell in connection with trade mark matters in Japan, including trade mark application, prosecution, clearance, counselling and dispute matters.
  • Advised Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. with drafting and negotiating a license agreement with Nogra Pharma Ltd. with regard to the pharmaceuticals for the treatment of acne in Japan.
  • Defended Ricoh USA, Inc. in a series of patent infringement suits filed by a non-practicing entity, Midwest Athletics and Sports Alliance in the United States.

Lawyers

Leading individuals: Bengoshi
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.

Michiru Takahashi

Other key lawyers

Shogo Asaji