Dispute Resolution: Domestic
Global Guide 2024 : Japan
Band 1
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+81 3 6250 6200About
Provided by Nishimura & Asahi
The firm is a go-to law firm in Japan for disputes having international and cross-border aspects.
We are known for our competence in cross-border and domestic litigation, covering various corporate activities. We pride ourselves on our team work in advising clients in disputes. With dispute lawyers taking the lead, lawyers from our Corporate, Finance, IP, Tax, Crisis Management, Labour and Insolvency & Restructuring practices collaborate to serve clients with invaluable professional insights and knowledge on the industry, law, and most importantly, their businesses. With this in mind, we compose teams that are ideally suited to assist our clients on their particular disputes.
With over 30 years of experience, we are the leading Japanese law firm for international arbitration work. The team and many of its partners have won accolades and recognition for their handling of large complex arbitrations. International arbitration, be it in the area of commercial or investment disputes, is the key area of growth for the disputes practice.
The dispute resolution department is composed of partners Hiroyuki Tezuka (practice head), Akihiro Hironaka, Masako Yajima, Yutaro Kawabata, Chie Nakahara, foreign law partner Lars Markert, all in the Tokyo office, as well as Shintaro Uno in the Singapore office. Next to Lars Markert, the international arbitration team comprises three additional foreign lawyers from various jurisdictions, underscoring the international outlook and capacity of the team.
Chambers Review
Nishimura & Asahi is widely renowned for its prowess in complex cross-border litigation and international arbitration, and is active in cases heard before the courts as well as arbitrations in the ICC, SIAC, HKIAC and CIETAC. The firm is frequently instructed by renowned domestic and foreign companies from various sectors such as financial, automotive and pharmaceuticals. It is experienced in a range of disputes, with noteworthy expertise in breach of duty claims and matters concerning product liability and tax litigation. Key clients include Marubeni, Panasonic and AIG General Insurance.
Work Highlights
- Nishimura & Asahi defended a German automotive supplier from claims by a Japanese automotive supplier in a large product liability action before the Yokohama District Court and Tokyo High Court.
Strengths
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"They have quick responses and offer solutions promptly. They understand our business very well and we are very satisfied. They led us to win the case with a very good outcome and thus we are very satisfied with the cost performance."
"I am very satisfied with their work. They offer quick responses and pay attention to our internal concerns; they even think a step further than us."
"They have quick responses and offer solutions promptly. They understand our business very well and we are very satisfied. They led us to win the case with a very good outcome and thus we are very satisfied with the cost performance."
"I am very satisfied with their work. They offer quick responses and pay attention to our internal concerns; they even think a step further than us."
Notable Practitioners
Hiroyuki Tezuka has a distinguished reputation in the arbitration sphere. He offers over three decades of experience advising clients on large-scale arbitrations arising out of projects and commercial agreements.
Akihiro Hironaka's broad expertise involves representing clients in cross-border disputes, including arbitrations, in connection with joint venture, product liability, tax and antitrust matters.
"Hironaka-sensei in particular was definitely top-notch. He is practical and polite, and provides effective explanations. He has a client-first mindset with good responsiveness."
"Hironaka is a very trustable adviser. He is a former judge with many valuable insights. He helped to navigate and bridge cultural gaps, and to give advice on the Japanese courts, judges and legal system."
Lars Markert has a growing reputation in the market, and is especially noted for his expertise handling cross-border arbitration cases related to M&A, investment, construction contracts and product liability issues, often for EU clients.
"Lars has a very good understanding of arbitration and is strong at formulating persuasive arguments and quick at providing solutions."
Chie Nakahara is a respected arbitration counsel who is in high demand by Japanese corporates and is often mandated to handle cross-border manufacturing and trade-related disputes.
"At Japanese law firms there are not many people as talented as Chie Nakahara."
"She is a diligent and hard-working lawyer who is good at English."
Yutaro Kawabata is noted for his extensive experience in arbitration, regularly representing clients from a range of sectors in disputes arising out of breaches and termination of contracts and commercial agreements, as well as uncompleted projects.
"He is very experienced in international arbitration and has high English proficiency; I can't spot any weaknesses."
"He provides quite high-level service in international arbitration. He has a good commercial mind and handles the case to bring us maximum profit."
"Kawabata always responded quickly. He provided advice with a business vision which I found very reliable."
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