Employment
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Japan
Band 1
Contact number
+813 6868 0410About
Provided by Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo
Employment
Our employment team has deep and extensive knowledge in the areas of labour and employment law that are unique in Japan and can provide you with practical and strategic advice on how to deal with issues that arise “only in Japan”.
A Full Service Practice
Our practice focuses primarily on providing Japanese labour and employment law advice to global companies with operations in Japan. We regularly deal with in-house counsel and HR professionals based in various jurisdictions, including the US, the UK, continental Europe, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo. We advise our global clients on all aspects of employment related issues. We understand the needs of global clients and focus on providing proactive advice and creative ideas, rather than just pointing out the risks under Japanese law.
The key types of work we engage in are:
– Representing clients in Japanese courts in relation to various employment disputes;
– Providing advice in relation to the management of poor performers;
– Providing advice on overtime issues;
– Internal investigations and advice relating to workplace harassment such as power harassment and sexual harassment;
– Providing advice on redundancies; and
– Providing advice on how to deal with union issues and representing clients in collective bargaining with unions.
Globally-Recognised Awards
Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year 2022, 2021, 2019
- ALB Japan Law Awards, presented by Asian Legal Business (ALB) -
Chambers Review
Vanguard Lawyers offers a dedicated employment boutique singled out for the depth of its expertise in employment issues. The firm is frequently retained by major foreign corporations including financial institutions and media companies. The team is active on overtime issues as well as on dismissal of employees for poor performance and misconduct. It is additionally notable for its expertise in handling internal investigations relating to harassment, discrimination, expense abuse, fraud and regulatory breaches. The firm is also equipped to advise on collective bargaining matters.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Vanguard are excellent in terms of accuracy, speed and understanding of the local legal system."
"They are very practical and understand a multinational company's cultural nuances."
"Vanguard provide excellent employment law knowledge and advice, and they are great at taking a very practical approach to navigating complex and highly sensitive matters."
"Vanguard are excellent in terms of accuracy, speed and understanding of the local legal system."
"They are very practical and understand a multinational company's cultural nuances."
"Vanguard provide excellent employment law knowledge and advice, and they are great at taking a very practical approach to navigating complex and highly sensitive matters."
Notable Practitioners
Kazuki Okada is a widely recognised lawyer in the field of employment law in Japan, regularly advising on union and employee issues for a global clientele. He leverages longstanding litigation experience to represent high-profile organisations in their disputes with unions and employees.
"Okada Sensei is so practical, reliable and helpful."
"Kazuki Okada's negotiation skills are extremely strong. He is always calm and logical and has the skill to not make the counterparty emotional."
"Kazuki is the fiercest courtroom lawyer I ever met. He never gives up and always finds a way to win."
Akiko Yamakawa is very experienced in advising foreign entities on internal investigations and contentious employment matters involving non-compete clauses and terminations.
"Akiko Yamakawa sees the whole picture and takes appropriate leadership toward solutions."
"Akiko Sensei is the best lawyer that I have ever worked with. We can't solve labour law problems without her."
"Akiko has excellent communication skills and can explain very complicated issues in plain words, which I always appreciate, in particular when reporting to senior leadership."
Ranked Lawyers at
Vanguard Lawyers Tokyo
Japan