ABOUT OUR OFFICEABOUT OUR OFFICE
Takagicho Law Office was established in March 2018 in the neighborhood formerly known as Aoyama Takagicho.
Since then, we have been expanding with like-minded colleagues, and in May 2023, we moved to a new office near Aoyama 1-chome Station.
The firm focuses on legal services related to intellectual property rights, including copyrights, trademarks, and patents, and is dedicated to resolving legal issues and disputes to meet the diverse needs of our clients. We are also skilled in handling patent and trademark application procedures.
The modern business environment is changing daily, and legal issues are becoming more and more complex. We strive to constantly improve our knowledge and quickly adapt to these changes. We also value communication with our clients, striving to provide them with easy-to-understand, friendly responses. In addition, we are actively involved in sharing legal and practical knowledge through contributing articles and giving lectures at educational institutions and industry organizations. Some of the members serve as members of the council convened by government organizations that have jurisdiction over intellectual property law.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
KEY PRACTICE AREASKEY PRACTICE AREAS
Entertainment & Intellectual Property
The firm has lawyers with expertise in intellectual property, particularly in the media, entertainment and art sectors, advising domestic and international clients.
Our Clientele includes a wide range of institutional clients in the entertainment industry, including publishing including manga, audio visual (motion pictures, TV programs, animation and games), music, advertising, live events, sports, fine arts, photography, fashion, character business, licensing and merchandising, as well as individual clients in these industries such as creators, artists, musicians celebrities, models, athletes and others.
We also handle litigation and other dispute resolution, represent clients in negotiations and give general advice related to intellectual property rights, including copyright, trademark, patent and unfair competition law.
In addition, we have a patent attorney who can handle patent, utility model, and trademark applications.
Corporate Legal Affairs
Our firm handles many corporate legal matters in a variety of industries. We have attorneys admitted to the New York State Bar with extensive experience in cross-border transactions, and we regularly handle contracts in the English language.
In addition to intellectual property matters, we also deal on a regular basis with the data privacy, risk management, and labor and employment issues that arise while doing business in Japan. We also have attorneys with experience as outside directors of listed companies and in-house counsel, and we strive to provide advice from a management perspective.
Dispute Resolution
We have extensive experience in resolving disputes involving patents, copyrights and other intellectual property rights, as well as a wide range of commercial disputes. We also handle a variety of Internet-related issues, such as requests for disclosure of sender information in cases of online copyright infringement, slander and libel.
In addition to representing clients in litigation, we also represent clients in license negotiations and other out-of-court negotiations.
We also handle other general civil cases, such as torts and domestic matters.
TEAMTEAM
Mami KARATSU
Attorney admitted in Japan (1996) / New York (2000)
Education
Waseda University (LL.B.)
Harvard Law School (LL.M.)
Professional Experiences
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, associate (1999-2004)
Kotto Dori Law Office, partner (2005-2018)
Takagicho Law Office, founding partner (2018-)
ULS Group,Inc., external auditor (2006-2021), external director (2021-)
Kobe University, Graduate School of Law, lecturer (2017-)
Central Security Patrols Co., Ltd., external director (2021-)
Council for Cultural Affairs Committee on Copyright, Agency for Cultural Affairs, expert advisor (2021-)
Japanese Society for Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers (JASRAC), Copyright Academy lecturer (2024-)
Takahiro ARASE
Attorney admitted in Japan (2006)
Education
Chuo University (LL.B.)
Professional Experiences
Sakura Kyodo Law Offices, associate (2006-2010)
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government Labor Relations Commission (2010-2012)
Sakura Kyodo Law Offices, associate (2012-2015), partner (2015-2024)
Takagicho Law Office, partner (2024-)
Toshiaki KOBAYASHI
Attorney admitted in Japan (2007) / New York (2014)
Education
University of Tokyo (LL.B.)
Keio University Law School (J.D.)
New York University School of Law (LL.M.)
Professional Experiences
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu, associate (2007-2014)
Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP, law clerk (2013-2014)
Kotto Dori Law Office, associate (2014-2017), partner (2017-2022)
Takagicho Law Office, partner (2022-)
Kobe University, Graduate School of Law, lecturer (2017-)
Tokyo University of the Arts, lecturer (2018-)
Chuo University, Fuculty of Global Informatices, lecturer (2021-)
International Basketball Federation, Certified Agent (2018-2023)
Japan Basketball Association, registered agent
Ikki MAEHARA
Attorney admitted in Japan (2012)
Education
University of Tokyo (LL.B.)
Yamanashi Gakuin University Law School (J.D.)
Professional Experiences
Kojimachi Partners, associate (2012-2023)
Takagicho Law Office, partner (2023-)
Japan Graphic Design Association Inc. (JAGDA), lecturer (2022-)
Masashi SAWADA
Attorney admitted in Japan (2012)
Education
Waseda University (LL.B.)
Waseda University Law School (J.D.)
Professional Experiences
Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu, associate (2012-2019)
Copyright Division, Agency for Cultural Affairs, copyright researcher (2016-2019)
Mimura Komatsu Law Firm, associate (2020-2023)
Takagicho Law Office, partner (2023-)
Council for Cultural Affairs Committee on Copyright, Agency for Cultural Affairs, expert advisor (2021-)
Yuta IBA
Attorney admitted in Japan (2015)
Education
Keiko University (LL.B.)
Meiji University Law School (J.D.)
Professional Experiences
Hibiya Station Law Offices, associate (2015-2017)
Sakura Kyodo Law Offices, associate (2017-2022)
Takagicho Law Office, partner (2023-)
Tokyo Bar Association, ordinary councilor (2022-)
Japan Federation of Baw Associations, delegate (2022-)
Shigeru HASHIDATE
Patent attorney admitted in Japan (2006)
Education
Nagaoka University of Technology (B. Eng.)
Nagaoka University Graduate School of Engineering (M. Eng.)
Professional Experiences
Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd., member (1997-1998)
Amagai Patent Office, member (1998-2002)
TMI Associates, member (2002-2010)
Mutsuki Partners, IP Firm, founding partner (2010-)
Takagicho Law Office, council (2018-)
Nagaoka University of Technology, lecturer (2021-)
AccessAccess
■ MAP
From Aoyama-itchome Station (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, Ginza Line, or Toei Oedo Line), it’s about a 4-minute walk.
① Exit from the North Exit 4 (North), cross the Akasaka Post Office intersection, and walk along Route 246 toward Akasaka-Mitsuke, passing by Akasaka Post Office. Turn right at the next corner, then turn right again at th end of the street. You’ll find it on your right.
② Exit from the South Exit 4 (South), cross the pedstrian crossing on your right, and enter the street behind Akasaka Post Office. Turn right at the first intersection, then turn right again at the end of the street. It will be on your right.
From Nogizaka Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line), it’s about a 7-minute walk.
Exit from Exit 1 or 3, head toward Aoyama-itchome, and after passing the 7-Eleven on your right, turn right at the end of the building (Sumitomo Fudosan Aoyama Building South Tower). Turn left at the first corner, and you’ll see it straight ahead.
CONTACTCONTACT
TAKAGICHO LAW OFFICE
Terrace Hill Aoyama 5F, 8-5-8 Akasaka
Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0052 Japan
TEL：(81)3-6434-9677 / FAX：(81)3-6434-9678
[email protected]