Partners of Firm
Associates
Of Counsel
Advisors on Foreign
Law
Foreign Counsel
Staff

Partners of Firm

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TETSU TANAKA
Education ： Kyushu University, 1953; Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (Diploma, 1957).
Admitted ： 1957, Japan.
Member ： Daini Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
E-mail ： tanaka@blakemore.gr.jp
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YASUO SHIDA
Education ： The University of Tokyo (LL.B., 1968).
Admitted ： 2000, Japan, in accordance with a special treatment set forth in Article 5, Item 2 of the Lawyers’Law of Japan (Law No. 205 of 1949, as amended).
Professional
Experience		 ： Ministry of Finance/Cabinet Legislation Bureau of Japan (1968-1997); Counselor of the Cabinet Legislation Bureau of Japan (in charge of tax law etc.) (1984-1989); Regional Commissioner of Hiroshima Taxation Bureau (1992-1994); Director General of the Mint Bureau of the Ministry of Finance (1996-1997); Director and Deputy President of The Resolution and Collection Corporation (2000−2006); Director and Acting President of The Resolution and Collection Corporation (2006−).
Member ： Daini Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
Practice Areas ： Tax Problems in General; Administrative Suit; Business Reconstruction; Credit Collection; Consumers' Problems.
E-mail ： shida@blakemore.gr.jp
Publications ： "Accounting and Tax Problems Accompanied by Business Reconstruction," Business Reconstruction and Credit Control (January 2006), Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc.

"How to Cope with Tax Officials' Arbitrary Tax Assessment," The Lawyers (October 2007), ILS Publishing Company

"Business Reconstruction and Collection Cases by RCC," Business Reconstruction and Credit Control (January 2009), Kinzai Institute for Financial Affairs, Inc.
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HIDEYUKI KOBAYASHI
Education ： The University of Tokyo (LL.B., 1974); Legal
Training and Research Institute of the Supreme
Court of Japan (Diploma, 1976).
Admitted ： 1980, Japan.
Professional Experience ： Assistant Professor at The University of Tokyo
(1976-1979); Associate Professor of Law at
Sophia University (1980); Visiting Scholar at
Yale Law School (1982-1983); Visiting Scholar
at Michigan Law School (1983); Professor of Law
at Sophia University (1989-2004); Professor of Law at Sophia University, Graduate School of Law (2004); Professor at Hitotsubashi University Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy (2004-Present).
Mr. Kobayashi was a Government Social Policy Council Member when the product liability law was legislated and is currently a member of the Finance Council, the Ministry of Finance.
Member ： Daini Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
Practice Areas ： Litigation; Arbitration; M&A; Securitization; Product Liability.
E-mail ： hideyuki.kobayashi@blakemore.gr.jp
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RYO OKUYAMA
Education ： Rikkyo University (LL.B., 1974); Left without graduating, Graduate School of Rikkyo University (LL.M. Candidate, 1974-1977); Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (Diploma, 1979); Graduated, University of Virginia Law School (LL.M., 1984).
Admitted ： 1979, Japan.
Member ： The Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
E-mail ： okuyama@blakemore.gr.jp
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TAKAKI TOKUOKA
Education ： The University of Tokyo (LL.B., 1977; LL.M., 1979); Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (Diploma, 1981); Harvard Law School (LL.M., 1985).
Admitted ： 1981, Japan.
Member ： Daini Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
E-mail ： tokuoka@blakemore.gr.jp
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AKIMITSU KAMORI
Education ： The University of Tokyo (LL.B., Private Law, 1978;
LL.B., Public Law, 1980); Legal Training and
Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan
(Diploma, 1982); Yale University (Diploma, American
Law, 1986); Cornell Law Scholl (LL.M., 1987).
Admitted ： 1982, Japan; 1988, New York.
Professional
Experience		 ： Associate, Dewey Ballantine LLP (currently
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP), New York (1988-1994).
Member ： The Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association; American Bar
Association; New York State Bar Association; The Association of the Bar of the City of New York; A.I.P.P.I.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
Practice Areas ： M&A; Structured Finance; Complex Litigation; Intellectual Property.
E-mail ： a-kamori@blakemore.gr.jp
Publications ： Author: NASDAQ Listing Guide, Chuo Keizai Sha, 1995. Co-Author/Co-Editor: International Layers' Business Data Files, Chuo Keizai Sha, 2000. Co-Author: Martindale-Hubbell International Law Digest, Japan Law Digest, Martindale-Hubbell, 1999―; New Bankruptcy Law, Shin Nihon Hoki, 2005; Q&A Gist of New Company Law, Shin Nihon Hoki, 2005; Company Law-Related Ministry of Justice Ordinances Detailed Commentary, Seibun Sha, 2006. Author: "Protective Measures against Unfriendly Takeovers in Japan," Compliance Letter (Daiichi Hoki), vol. 8 (Oct., 2005), 12-16; "Affirmative Assertions for Protective Measures against Unfriendly Takeovers," The Lawyers (ILS Shuppan), Oct., 2006―Mar., 2009; "Dowa Model Threatens Shareholder Rights," The IFLR Guide to Japan 2007 (IFLR), 39-41 (2007); "Triangle Mergers," Junkan Keiri Joho (Chuo Keizai Sha), vol. 1141 (Feb., 2007), 7-19; "Triangle Mergers in Japan," The American Lawyer-Global 100 (The American Lawyer), Oct., 2007; "Stipulation of provisions for restricting business combinations in articles of incorporation of Japanese corporation," ALM Guide to Global Mergers & Acquisitions 2008, Jan., 2008; "The best line of defense," IFLR, The 2008 Guide to Japan, Jan., 2008; "Bull-Dog Sauce's Rights Plan Held by the Supreme Court of Japan to Be Held Valid," US Foreign Direct Investment (The American Lawyer), May, 2008; "Facilitating Reliability and Efficiency of Board - Outside Director vs. Independent Director," US Foreign Direct Investment: A Global Guide (The American Lawyer), Oct., 2008; "Go-shop Clause," The Lawyers (ILS Shuppan), May, 2009―July, 2009.
In the Press ： Interview article entitled "Imperative to have highly-sophisticated English-speaking attorneys who would be able to make aggressive discussions in English," in the Oct., 2005 edition of The Lawyers (ILS Shuppan); and
Comments set forth in an article, entitled "Is a US agent a PE?―Clarify the nature of foreign facilities," of the Nikkei Business Daily, dated November 7, 1994, at 28.
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KEIICHIRO SUE
Education ： The University of Tokyo (LL.B., 1982); Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (Diploma, 1984); Leuven Catholic University, Belgium (LL.M., 1992); Columbia University (LL.M., 1994); Hitotsubashi University (JSD, 2009).
Admitted ： 1984, Japan; 1995, New York.
Professional
Experience		 ： Allen & Overy, Brussels (1992-1993); Loeff Claeys Verbeke, Brussels (1993); Mayer, Brown & Plat, Chicago (1994-1995); Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (1999-2001); Lecturer, Hitotsubashi University Law School (Practical International Economy Law) (2005-Present); Conciliation Committee Member, Tokyo Summary Court (2006-Present); Lecturer, Meiji Gakuin University Law School (2007-Present); Member, International Deregulation Committee of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (2008-Present); Statutory Auditor, Nippon Signal Co., Ltd.
Member ： Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association; New York Bar.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
Practice Areas ： Labor and employment; Trade disputes; Litigation.
E-mail ： sue@blakemore.gr.jp
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TAKASHI HIRANO
Education ： Chuo University (LL.B., 1980); Legal Training and
Research Institute of the Supreme Court of
Japan (Diploma, 1985).
Admitted ： 1985, Japan.
Professional
Experience		 ： Yasi & Ushijima (1985-1988); Masuda, Funai,
Eifert & Mitchell (1988-1990); Blakemore &
Mitsuki (1990-2000); Head of Law and Corporate
Affairs, Microsoft Asia Limited (2000-2003);
Executive Officer/Law and Corporate Affairs,
Microsoft Co., Ltd (2003-2006); Blakemore & Mitsuki (2006-Present); Director of Computer Software Association Japan (2006-Present); Councilman of Software Information Center (2006-Present); Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry, Head of Working Group regarding contract and business practices for secured information systems (2007); Ministry of Trade, Economy and Industry, Chairperson of Steering Committee of Consortium for highly developed business practices for information systems and software (2008); Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communication, Member of study group for activation of data counters in crowd computing era (2009); Managing Director of Japan Life Style Counselors' Association (2009-Present); Member of Copyright Law Association Japan, Intellectual Law Association Japan, Antitrust Law Association Japan.
Member ： Daini Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
E-mail ： hirano@blakemore.gr.jp
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EIJI YAMAHARA
Education ： Waseda University, Faculty of Law (LL.B., 1987);
University of London (LL.M., 1996); William
S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawai'i
(LL.M. 2008); Legal Training and Research Institute
of the Supreme Court of Japan (Diploma, 1992).
Admitted ： 1992, Japan.
Professional
Experience		 ： After being in a domestic law firm, joined Blakemore
& Mitsuki (1992-1994), as an associate, mainly
covering financial laws. Joined Atsumi & Usui
(1994-1999). Trained Clifford Chance’s Securitization Team in London, in 1997.
Managing Director, Legal Department of IBJ-Nomura Financial Products plc., Tokyo branch (1999-2000).
Vice President/Senior Legal Counsel, Legal Department, Goldman Sachs, Tokyo (2000-2007).
Registered at Kokusho Law Office (2007-2011); trained at Carlsmith Ball LLP, Honolulu, Hawaii (2008); then seconded to the 4th Division of Legal Department, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (2008-2011), covering investments in natural resources, foods, medical care, infrastructure and other businesses in the Asia and Pacific regions, and maritime matters (trading and shipping finance).
Joined Blakemore & Mitsuki, as a partner (2011- present).
Vice Chairman of the International Committee of Tokyo Bar Association (2004, 2011). The coordinator of the seminar “Attorney-Client Privilege” jointly conducted by the three bar associations in Tokyo, on October 15, 2004.
Member ： Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
Practice Areas ： Maritime and trading matters, insurance, overseas investments in particular Asia/Pacific regions, investment and immigration in Hawaii, laws related to financial businesses such as syndicated loans, ship-finance, structured finance, derivatives, securitization and trusts, corporate laws in general, including education of and support to in-house counsel.
E-mail ： yamahara@blakemore.gr.jp
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TAKETO NASU
Education ： Sophia University (LL.B., 1991); Legal Training and
Research Institute of the Supreme Court of
Japan (Diploma, 1996); The University of Texas
School of Law (LL.M., 2000).
Admitted ： 1996, Japan; 2001, New York.
Professional
Experience		 ： Yuasa & Hara, Tokyo, Japan (1996-1999,
2002-2009); Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur,
Columbus, Ohio (2001-2002); Lecturer, Japan
Patent Attorneys Association (2005-Present);
Visiting Lecturer, Toin University of Yokohama Law School, Yokohama, Japan (2006-Present).
Member ： Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association; New York State Bar Association; American Bar Association; Bankruptcy Law Study Group of the All-around Legal Research Institute of Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association; Vice Chair, Corporate Law Study Group of the All-around Legal Research Institute of Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
Practice Areas ： Intellectual Property Law; Corporate Law.
E-mail ： nasu@blakemore.gr.jp
Publications ： "Litigation and Preliminary Injunction," "Consideration of ADR, e.g., Arbitration," Q&A Practices in Prevention of and Response to Troubles with Intellectual Property, Shin-Nihon Hoki, 2006; "Patent Infringement and Scope of Injunction," Precedents in Corporate Legal Practice Case Study 300 (Vol. of Business Transaction and Intellectual Property), Kinzai, 2007; co-author and editor, "Essence of Legal Practice for Corporate Officers," Seibunsha, 2007; "Introduction to the U.S. Intellectual Property Cases - MedImmune, Inc. v. Genentech, Inc., et. al.," Journal of the Japanese Institute of International Business Law, Vol. 35, No. 8, 2007; "Introduction to the U.S. Intellectual Property Cases - Benitec Australia, Ltd. v. Nucleonics, Inc.," Journal of the Japanese Institute of International Business Law, Vol. 36, No. 7, 2008; "Introduction to the U.S. Intellectual Property Cases - Akira Akazawa, et. al. v. Link New Technology Int'l, Inc.," Journal of the Japanese Institute of International Business Law, Vol. 37, No. 3, 2009; etc.
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YOICHI NAMEKATA
Education ： Sophia University (LL.B., 1992); Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (Diploma, 1996).
Admitted ： 1996, Japan.
Professional
Experience		 ： Merrill Lynch Japan Securities Co., Ltd. (1999-2003); Financial Services Agency, The Japanese Government (2003-2006); Baker & McKenzie GJBJ Tokyo Aoyama Aoki Koma Law Office (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) (2008-2009); Member, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Internal Control PT of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (Present); Member, Dai-ni Tokyo Bar Association Support Center for Victims of Antisocial Forces (Present).
Member ： Dai-ni Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
Practice Areas ： Compliance; Internal control; Legal practice on the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law, the Banking Law, etc.; CSR; Corporate defense against antisocial forces.
E-mail ： namekata@blakemore.gr.jp
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MADOKA HASHIMOTO
Education ： The University of Tokyo (LL.B., 1998); Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (Diploma, 2000); The University of Tokyo (JSD, 2009).
Admitted ： 2000, Japan.
Professional
Experience		 ： Atsumi & Partners (2000-2007); Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP (2007-2009).
Member ： Daiichi Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
Practice Areas ： Banking and Finance; Capital Markets; Corporate Governance; Financial Institutions Advisory & Financial Regulatory; Investment Funds; Securities Litigation; Structured Finance & Securitization; Transactional Tax.
E-mail ： madoka.hashimoto@blakemore.gr.jp
Publications ： "Discussion of Argument of Ineffectiveness of Insurance Contract Due to Nonpayment of Insurance Premium-Sapporo High Court, Sept. 28, 2006" (in Japanese), Jurist, June 1, 2008 (No. 1357);
"Sale of EB and Tort Relating to Those Having No Experience in Stock Investment-Nagoya District Court, Aug. 10, 2005" (in Japanese), Jurist, Mar. 15, 2008 (No. 1352);
"Repayment and the Delivery of Receipt 7 to 10 days after Repayment-2nd Petty Bench, July 9, 2004" (in Japanese), Jurist, Sept. 1, 2007 (No. 1340);
"Insurance Benefits of Group Term Life Insurance Returned to Company that was Both Party to Insurance Contract and Recipient of Insurance Benefits" (in Japanese), Hougaku Kyoukai Zasshi, vol. 125, no. 4;
"Applications of Mortgages Held by Guarantee Companies (Part 3)" (in Japanese), Lexis Kigyou Houmu, April 2006;
"Applications of Mortgages Held by Guarantee Companies (Part 2)" (in Japanese), Lexis Kigyou Houmu, March 2006;
"Applications of Mortgages Held by Guarantee Companies (Part 1)" (in Japanese), Lexis Kigyou Houmu, February 2006;
"The Futures Market in Japan", IFLR The 2005 Guide to Structured Finance, Euromoney Publications;
"Necessary Laws and Regulations for Rating Agencies in Japan" (in Japanese), 2009 dissertation.
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TAKAHISA KOBAYASHI
Education ： Doshisha University (LL.B.), 1996); Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (Diploma, 2002).
Admitted ： 2002, Japan.
Member ： Daini Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
E-mail ： kobayashi@blakemore.gr.jp
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KATSUNORI URA
Education ： Hitotsubashi University (LL.B., 2002); Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan (Diploma, 2003).
Admitted ： 2003, Japan.
Member ： Daini Tokyo Bar Association.
Languages ： Japanese and English.
E-mail ： ura@blakemore.gr.jp
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