Jones Day

Languages

• Chinese
• Dutch
• English
• French
• German
• Japanese
• Mandarin
• Spanish
• Taiwanese

Law Firm Overview

Jones Day opened its Tokyo Office in 1989 to provide legal services to companies doing business in Japanese and international markets. In January 2002, Jones Day merged with the Japanese firm Showa Law Office and became one of the major firms with substantial local law capability in the Tokyo market. Since the merger, Jones Day Tokyo has steadily grown both in size and scope of practice and is currently a full-service office with approximately 60 lawyers.

Jones Day Tokyo's M&A and finance lawyers advise Japanese and international businesses on domestic and cross-border transactions in a variety of industries, including life sciences, consumer products, electrical equipment, automotive, and telecom. The diverse legal needs of our clients in Japan also are served by the deep knowledge and experience of lawyers in our commercial and IP litigation, antitrust, government regulation, and tax practices.

Our lawyers in Tokyo work as integrated members of Jones Day’s worldwide network, collaborating closely with lawyers in Jones Day’s other offices to serve Firm clients whose headquarters are located outside Japan. We also act as a local portal to the Firm’s international offices for our local clients, among which are many Japanese-listed companies.

Jones Day Tokyo attorneys are involved in the activities of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations and local bar associations.  As part of their pro bono activities, our lawyers serve as state-appointed counsel in criminal cases and offer low cost legal advice to those who need it. Some Tokyo attorneys serve on committees of public organizations, such as the American Chamber of Commerce in Japan, and give seminars and lead workshops.  The Tokyo Office is a member, and supports the activities, of the Japan Chapter of the Asian Society of International Law. Our lawyers also contribute to the knowledge of international law in Japan by lecturing at educational institutions and publishing in newspapers, journals, and law reviews.

Areas of Practice

• Antitrust & Competition Law
• Antitrust & Intellectual Property
• Antitrust Civil Investigations & Litigation
• Antitrust Criminal Investigations
• Antitrust in Asia
• Antitrust Mergers & Joint Ventures
• Banking & Finance
• Borrower / Workouts / Chapter 11 Debtor Representations
• Business Restructuring & Reorganization
• Buyouts
• Climate Change
• Construction
• Consumer Products & Retail
• Corporate Governance
• Corporate Real Estate Services
• Creditors Committee / Ad Hoc Committee Representations
• Cross-Border Restructuring Matters
• Distressed Company Litigation
• Distressed M&A Representations
• Energy
• Energy Finance
• Energy Transactions
• Environmental, Health & Safety
• Financial Institutions Regulation
• Financial Services
• Franchising & Distribution
• Fund Structuring & Fund Services
• Government Regulation
• Hospitality
• Intellectual Property
• International Litigation & Arbitration
• International Public Law
• International Taxation
• International Trade Disputes & Proceedings
• IP in Asia
• Joint Ventures & Strategic Alliances
• Labor & Employment
• Licensing & Technology Transactions
• Life Sciences
• M&A Transactions
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Mergers & Acquisitions Taxation
• Patent Litigation
• Privacy & Data Security
• Private Equity
• Private Equity / Real Estate Taxation
• Product Liability & Tort Litigation
• Product Recall & Accident Response Team
• Real Estate
• Real Estate & Property Companies
• Real Estate Capital Markets
• Real Estate Finance
• Real Estate Funds
• Securitization
• Tax
• Trademarks, Unfair Competition & Copyrights
• Trial Practice
• Venture Capital & Private Investment

Published Works

• Global Stock Plans Update, 2011
• Asian Capital Markets, 2011
• Asia-Pacific Competition Law, 2011
• Asia Practice, 2011
• Antitrust Alert: Japan Fair Trade Commission Proposes Revised Merger Regulation and Guidelines, 2011
• Tokyo Office, 2010
• The U.S. Supreme Court Bilski Decision Finding Business Methods Unpatentable as Abstruct Ideas, Intellectual Property Management, Japan Intellectual Property Association, 1879, 719, Vol. 60, No.11, 2010
• Antitrust Alert: JFTC Issues Draft Guidelines on the Prohibition of Abuse of a Superior Bargaining Position Under the Japan Anti-Monopoly Act, 2010
• High-Yield Debt Practice - Asia, 2010
• Asia Pacific Executive Compensation & Employee Benefits, 2010
• Asian Dispute Resolution, 2010
• Asian Mergers & Acquisitions, 2010
• Seeking relief under law on Recognition and Releaf of Foreign Proceedings, coauthor, International Law Office Newsletter, 2010
• Have-made rights under the U.S. cases, 721, Vol. 63, No.7, Patent 92, 2010
• Cross-border insolvency and recognition of foreign proceedings, coauthor, International Law Office Newsletter, 2010
• Antitrust Alert: Japan Proposes to Reform JFTC Hearing Procedure for Antitrust Violations, 2010
• United States Court of Appeals, For the Sixth Circuit Decision ruling that a merger resulting from internal corporate reorganization would conflict with non-transferability of license, 571, Vol. 38, No.1, IBL Journal of the Japanese Institute of International Business Law 13, 2010
• Antitrust Alert: Japan Challenges "Essential" Patent Licenses Under Anti-Monopoly Act, 2009
• Antitrust Alert: Japan Passes Amendments to the Anti-Monopoly Act to Strengthen Cartel Enforcement and Expand the Scope of Single-Firm Conduct Subject to Fines, 2009
• Recent Developments in the United States, EU and Asia at the Intersection of Antitrust and Patent Law, GCP Magazine, 2009
• Recent Developments in Takeover Defense Discussions in Japan, 2008
• The Pitfalls of Failing to "Reasonably" Compensate Employee Inventors in Japan - IP Perspectives, 2008
• Japan's Intellectual Property High Court Recognizes Mini Maglite® Product Shape as 3-D Trademark, 2007
• Key Considerations for Cross-border REITs, Japan Real Estate Investment Trusts (J-REITs), 2007
• How to avoid inventor disputes with employees, coauthor, 170 Managing Intellectual Property 55, 2007
• Confidence is key: China's highest IP court and the new IP court in Japan get stuck in, coauthor, 179 Patent World 16, 2006
• Personal Information Protection Law in Japan, 2005
• Protection of Corporate Intranet Communication from Discovery - Comparison with Japanese Practice, 3rd place in the 2003 Virginia Law Student Writing Competition/ Corporate Counsel Section of the Virginia State Bar, 2004
• International Commercial Arbitration in Asia, 2004
• The Prospects for LNG in Asia in the 21st Century, 2004
• Standard Terms for Asia Oilfield Services Contracts, PetroMin, 2003
• The Antitrust Review of the Japan Airlines and Japan Air System Merger, The Transportation Antitrust Update, Issue 9, 2002
• Tokyo Disputes Resolution, 2001

Representative Cases

• Abbott Labs acquires BASF Pharma , (2009)
• adidas Japan KK receives tender offer from Salomon
• Adidas-Salomon S.A. and Adidas Japan K.K. file claim against Descente relating to a distribution agreement
• Aegis Group acquires stake in Chusen Media
• Affymetrix negotiates commercial agreements in Japan , (2009)
• ALM involved in arbitration proceedings in connection with dispute with Kirschner Medical Corp. , (2009)
• Ambac Assurance issues $278 million of Secured Floating Rate Notes in a Rule 144A and Regulation S offering by Hanareum International Funding Limited
• Ambac Assurance serves as credit enhancer in $475 million securitization of Korea Deposit Insurance Corporation leases and loans , (2009)
• American Airlines secures alliance with Japan Airlines , (2009)
• AnGes MG enters into collaborative agreement and invests $22.6 million in Vical , (2009)
• Avon completes $90 million sale of ownership interest in Avon Japan business to TPG Capital affiliate , (2011)
• Axcelis Technologies sells interest in joint venture SEN Corporation to Sumitomo Heavy Industries , (2009)
• Bayer AG forms strategic alliance with Schering-Plough , (2009)
• BOT Lease Co. finances Minami Towada wind power project in Japan , (2009)
• Bridgestone acquires Bandag for $1 billion , (2009)
• Cabot to divest its Supermetals business for $400 million , (2011)
• Canon Sales sells remaining 50% interest in Canon Staar to joint venture partner STAAR Surgical Company , (2010)
• Compagnie de Fives-Lille acquires Sandvik Sorting Systems , (2009)
• Construction company and customer in dispute concerning breach of contract and unjustifiable enrichment , (2009)
• Daiichi Pharmaceutical merges with Sankyo Co. , (2009)
• Daiichi Sankyo acquires generic-drug maker Ranbaxy Laboratories for $4.6 billion , (2009)
• Daiwa Corporate Investment completes $127 million sale via tender of controlling interest in GABA Corporation to Nichii Gakkan
• Daiwa SMBC Capital sells interests in Mazda Car Rental , (2009)
• Dell pursues trademark protection and enforcement in Japan , (2009)
• Dell settles favorably in dispute over unauthorized name use , (2009)
• Diamond Lease purchases trust beneficial interest of real estate bonds , (2009)
• Diebold acquires TASC Security
• Discover Financial Services, Diners Club International and PULSE Network involved in global rollout of ATM card acceptance arrangements , (2009)
• Diversified products and services company obtains loan backed by lease receivables
• Dow Corning Corp acquires Silicone Division of Nippon Unicar Company
• Eco Asset participates in CDM (Clean Development Mechanism) projects in China , (2010)
• EDS sells business unit of A.T. Kearney
• European car manufacturer signs long-term lease of a factory and equipment in Chiba-Prefecture, Japan , (2009)
• European financial firm acquires fund management company managing alternative energy, water and other funds , (2010)
• European financial firm forms joint venture with a major Japanese trading company to provide IT consulting services , (2010)
• European financial firm involved in the restructuring and recapitalization of its Japan auto parts maker subsidiary , (2010)
• Financial institution enters into ¥41 billion term loan facility
• Financial institution finances construction of commercial building
• Financial institution obtains advice concerning early termination of ISDA Master Agreement
• Financial institution obtains advice on effectiveness of prime broker arrangement
• Financial institution provides financing for property acquisition
• Financial institution refinances CMBS and RMBS , (2009)
• Financial institution seeks Jones Day's advice concerning currency overlay scheme and credit default swap
• France-based oil and gas company structures joint venture in compliance with Japanese antitrust law , (2009)
• Fresenius Medical Care favorably settles Japanese patent infringement case involving membranes used in dialyzers , (2009)
• Fursa successfully pursues appraisal rights in Japan
• Fursa targets Nortiz on dividends , (2008)
• Future Venture Capital places shares with Total Network Holdings and MBK Co. , (2010)
• Galileo Funds and Arcadis Capital acquire twenty-one property portfolio , (2009)
• Global alternative investment firm completes sale of Wellife Co. to Create SD Holdings , (2011)
• Harman International Industries acquires QNX software systems
• Harmonic Communications places additional shares with Dentsu , (2009)
• Harry Winston obtains $60 million credit facility
• Honda Motor Co. forms joint venture with British American Tobacco
• Idemitsu Kosan Co. forms Nghi Son Refinery & Petrochemical Limited Liability Company , (2009)
• Industrial corporation serves as financial lessor in whole business securitization of carrier , (2009)
• Infoserve Technology Corp forms alliance with SingTel
• International Herald Tribune establishes joint venture with Asahi Shimbun
• J.F. Lehman acquires Drew Marine Business unit from Ashland , (2009)
• Japanese bank files complaint against an individual on the grounds of breach of contract and repayment of borrowed money , (2009)
• Japanese company defends against import suspension motions related to digital recording devices , (2011)
• Japanese company files a complaint against a U.S. company on the grounds of breach of contract and tort , (2009)
• Japanese company files complaint against a former director on the grounds of breach of fiduciary duties , (2009)
• Japanese company negotiates biofuel development agreements with major U.S. and European chemical companies , (2010)
• Japanese conglomerate with gold and silver mining interests in western U.S. responds to EPA and state environmental agency inquiries , (2010)
• Japanese electrical equipment company contemplates trade regulations with respect to transaction with Indian company
• Japanese engineering company reviews export control regulations related to Myanmar , (2009)
• Japanese multi-level marketing company complies with Japan's METI regulations , (2009)
• Japanese outboard engine company involved in arbitration in connection with a supply agreement
• LaSalle Asia acquires Torius Shopping Mall and master lessee , (2009)
• LaSalle Asia Recovery Fund acquires and develops a shopping center in Funabashi, Chiba, Japan , (2009)
• Lender acquires 13-hotel portfolio
• LSI Logic sells Japanese semiconductor manufacturing facility to ROHM Co.
• Mag Instrument builds and protects flashlight trademark portfolio in Japan , (2009)
• Mag Instrument files action to protect distinctive design of Mag flashlights in Japan , (2009)
• Mag Instrument is first to obtain 3-D trademark registration in Japan in landmark Intellectual Property High Court decision , (2009)
• Mag Instrument settles favorably trade dress infringement suit involving flashlight shape , (2009)
• Mag Instruments resolves trade dress infringement suit involving flashlight shape , (2009)
• Major Japanese company bids (subsequently terminated) for a U.S. power company out of a Chapter 11 proceeding , (2010)
• Major Japanese electric utility undertakes countermeasures against foreign investor's attempt to increase stake in company , (2009)
• Major Japanese energy company invests in solar energy business in U.S. , (2010)
• Major Japanese energy company negotiates specialty chemicals supply agreement with a U.S. maker including consideration of future joint venture arrangements , (2010)
• Major Japanese private equity firm performs due diligence in connection with prospective acquisition of Japanese electronics manufacturer , (2010)
• Major Japanese transport machine manufacturer complies with trade regulations involving export to China , (2009)
• Midway Games negotiates exclusive distributorship agreement with Aruze for video games , (2009)
• Mitsubishi sells 3.4% interest in Strand Minerals (Indonesia) to Pacific Metals , (2011)
• Mitsukoshi forms joint venture with Fortnum & Mason
• Mizuho provides financing for ship purchase
• Morgan Stanley and its TMK purchase nine residential buildings
• Mortgage company enters into servicing agreement
• Nidec acquires motors and controls business of Emerson Electric , (2010)
• NIF SMBC Ventures sells majority equity interest in CDS , (2009)
• NIF Ventures acquires Gakken Credit in MBO
• NineSigma invests in subsidiary , (2009)
• Nissin Food acquires 33.5% stake in Russia's Angleside , (2009)
• NJK Corp. involved in tender offer by NTT Data Corporation to acquire a majority of shares of NJK and form a business alliance agreement , (2010)
• NTT Data acquires controlling interest in The Revere Group
• Offshore oil and gas industry contractor sells 49% interest in PT Arah Prana to Blue Sky Energy and Power, Inc. , (2011)
• Otsuka Pharmaceutical forms research collaboration with global research organization , (2010)
• Pfizer sells consumer healthcare business to Johnson & Johnson for $16.6 billion , (2009)
• Phillip Estate acquires Maison de Ville Azabudai , (2009)
• Pohjola Bank purchases 40% interest in Access Capital Partners Group and completes sale of Pohjola Private Equity Funds
• Procter & Gamble acquired Ambi Pur, the air care business of Sara Lee, for $470 million , (2009)
• Procter & Gamble secures regulatory approvals worldwide for Gillette acquisition , (2009)
• Provider of credit and risk management solutions completes purchase of sales receivables , (2009)
• R.R. Donnelley corporate real estate services representation , (2009)
• RHJ International sells its 77.9% ownership of Niles Co. to Valeo for ¥15.4 billion (€135 million) , (2011)
• Riverside acquires Maos , (2009)
• Riverside acquires Naka and Co. , (2010)
• Riverside acquires Shinsouki Co.
• Riverside completes sale of GTI Diagnostics to Gen-Probe , (2011)
• SAP wins antitrust approvals worldwide for acquisition of Business Objects , (2009)
• SCHOTT acquires majority share in Japan-based Moritex, expanding fiber optic operations into Asia , (2009)
• Shinsei Bank Limited acquires 35% interest in Jih Sun Financial for $382 million , (2009)
• Sinochem prevails in U.S. Supreme Court in dispute involving jurisdictional rules that apply in U.S. federal courts , (2009)
• Societe BIC S.A. purchases distributor of BIC products in Japan
• Sojitz acquires Cymetech
• Spansion Japan represented as cross-border debtor and also as largest creditor in chapter 11 case of parent , (2010)
• Spansion Japan settles claims against former parent , (2010)
• Stallergenes licenses allergy medicine for house dust mites immunotherapy to Shionogi , (2010)
• Stallergenes licenses allergy medicine for Japanese cedar immunotherapy to Shionogi , (2010)
• Starbucks pursues counterfeit products and trademark infringement in Japan , (2009)
• State of Wisconsin Investment Board acquires Kofuku Bank
• Strategic Value Partners acquires Tanaka Value Investments
• Sumitomo acquires a 35% stake in Hachette Fujingaho , (2010)
• Sumitomo Chemical acquires MMA sheet business of Jiuh Mei Enterprise , (2010)
• Sumitomo Chemical forms joint venture with Lyondell Chemical Corporation , (2009)
• Sumitomo Chemical to acquire 20% of NuFarm for $622 million , (2010)
• Sumitomo merges with Dainippon Pharmaceutical , (2009)
• Takasago acquires Nippon Fläkt
• The Deutsch Group completes sale to WENDEL Investissement , (2009)
• The Norinchukin Bank acquires interest in Mizuho Securities Co.
• The Timken Company finances Torrington acquisition
• Timken Company acquires Torrington Division of Ingersoll-Rand Company , (2009)
• Toray Industries and TonenGeneral Sekiyu K. K. form joint venture
• U.S. electric appliance manufacturer complies with Japanese product safety requirements , (2009)
• Vestey Holdings sells Classic Fine Foods Holdings to EQT Greater China and management
• Yamaha defends nationwide litigation of product liability cases and claims involving the Rhino side-by-side ("SxS") vehicle , (2009)
• Yamaha obtains permanent injunction against Yamoto and U.S. distributor Patriot , (2009)

West Practice Categories

Alcoholic Beverages, Antitrust & Trade Regulation, Antitrust Law, Apparel, Asbestos, Banking & Finance Law, Bankruptcy Law, Bankruptcy Litigation, Business & Commercial Law, Business & Trade, Business Organizations, Business Successions, Chemicals & Cosmetics, Class Actions, Clean Air Practice, Cleanup & Superfund, Closely Held Businesses, Collections & Repossessions, Collections & Repossessions, Collective Bargaining, Commercial Bankruptcy, Commercial Banks, Commercial Leasing, Commercial Leasing, Commercial Real Estate, Complex Litigation, Condemnation, Condominiums & Cooperatives, Consumer Bankruptcy, Conveyancing, Copyrights, Corporate Governance, Corporate Taxation, Credit Unions, Creditors' Rights, Debt Discharge, Debtor/Creditor, Deceptive Trade Practices, Directors' & Officers' Liability, Dissolution, Eminent Domain, Environmental Law, Estate & Gift Taxation, Excise Taxes, Federal Appellate Practice, Federal Claims Court, Federal Trial Practice, Firearms, Food & Agricultural Products, Food & Drug Administration, Foreclosures, Formation & Business Planning, Franchising, Garnishment, Government Agencies & Programs, Hazardous Waste, Housing & Urban Development, Income Taxation, Intellectual Property Law, International Antitrust, International Banking, International Intellectual Property, International Law, International Taxation, International Taxation, International Trade Litigation, International Transactions, Joint Ventures, Labor Arbitration, Labor Disputes, Labor Law, Labor Legislation, Labor Relations Boards & Proceedings, Land Use & Zoning, Landlord/Tenant, Law Enforcement Agencies, Lending & Secured Transactions, Limited Liability Companies, Litigation & Appeals, Loan Workouts, Machinery & Tools, Medical Products & Devices, Medicare & Medicaid, Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures, Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures, Mergers, Acquisitions & Divestitures, Military & Veterans Appeals, Mortgages & Foreclosures, Mortgages & Foreclosures, Motor Vehicle Defects, Multidistrict Litigation, Non-profit & Tax-exempt Organizations, Partnerships, Patent Litigation, Patents, Payroll Taxes, Permits, Pharmaceutical Products, Products Liability Law, Property (Ad Valorem) Taxes, Public Finance, Real Estate Law, Recreational Products, Regulatory Compliance & Auditing, Reorganizations, Reorganizations & Restructuring, Residential Real Estate, RICO Act, RICO Act, Sales & Use Taxes, Savings & Thrifts, Shareholders' Rights, Social Security -- Disability, Social Security -- Retirement & Survivors Benefits, Solid Waste, State & Local Agencies, State & Municipal Bonds & Financing, State Appellate Practice, State Trial Practice, Tax Litigation, Taxation Law, Technology Licensing, Title Insurance, Tobacco, Trade Associations, Trade Dress, Trade Regulation, Trade Regulation, Trade Secrets, Trademarks, Unfair Competition, Unfair Labor Practices, Unions, US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, US Supreme Court, Venture Capital, Veterans' Affairs, Wage & Hour Laws, Water Pollution, Welfare, Wetlands & Wild Lands, Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, Workouts