2026 Edition
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Highly recommended
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Notable
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Highly recommended
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Highly recommended
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Highly recommended
Recommended
Notable
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Highly recommended
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Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
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Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
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Highly recommended
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Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
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Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
Notable
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Highly recommended
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Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
Notable
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Outstanding
Highly recommended
Recommended
Notable
Atsumi & Sakai is a leading full-service law firm offering a range of counsel services pertaining to most financial and corporate law matters. The firm has an excellent reputation for assisting startups and financial institutions on fintech-related matters. It offers additional strength in the energy, infrastructure and real-estate sectors. The firm is also known for its expertise in securitisation, covered bonds and similar structured finance transactions. Go Fujimoto and Yusuke Miura are key contacts. All matters submitted by the firm remain confidential.
Client feedback
"They proactively research information that we have not provided ourselves and incorporate it into the legal services they deliver." – Banking and finance
"They have a deep understanding of our bank's business style and my team's approach, enabling them to swiftly develop high-quality financing structures and effectively support contract negotiations." – Banking and finance
"The lawyer we hire also has extensive knowledge about the system reforms initiated by the Japanese Bankers Association. They review legal documents from the client's perspective and give really thorough explanations." – Banking and finance
"Counsels of Atsumi & Sakai advise us clearly with appropriate references to laws and regulations and show examples of how companies address the same issues in the same sector." – Banking and finance
"Very professional advice provided in a timely manner." – Competition/antitrust
"The Atsumi & Sakai competition team provides very high-quality service. It functions as a well-integrated team of lawyers with the highest levels of service at all levels of seniority." – Competition/antitrust
"The size of the law firm is so large that, if the regulators open an investigation against us, they can handle all the tasks which require large human resources." – Competition/antitrust
"The lawyers seconded to our company have an exceptionally accurate understanding of our actual business operations, enabling them to provide legal advice that is perfectly tailored to our needs. In addition to general transactional guidance on client relationships, one of the firm's strengths is the numerous insights we receive from both domestic and international competition-law perspectives." – Competition/antitrust
"Their legal advice was precise and clear, enabling us to easily understand our situation. Their communication with regulatory authorities was effective, allowing us to understand the authorities' views and the actions we needed to take. Their advice and support in representing us effectively supported our business." – Competition/antitrust
"They are very thorough, super timely and a very good firm." – Competition/antitrust
"In our experience they are adept at handling cross-border coordination on antitrust matters to promote and protect client interests. They demonstrate substantial depth of sectoral knowledge and a wide range of experience with antitrust issues." – Competition/antitrust
"They provided practical advice based on their experiences." – Construction
"They provided prompt and highly professional advice, including highlighting key considerations tailored to our position as a subsidiary of an insurance company." – Corporate and M&A
"Strong expertise in cross-border transactions and shipping-related matters. The team provides practical, business-oriented advice with clear communication and timely responses. They demonstrate a good understanding of complex structures and work efficiently in coordinating with multiple stakeholders." – Corporate and M&A
"They are extremely attentive to detail and respond in a very timely manner." – Corporate and M&A
"Detailed, client-tailored advice and drafting aligned with the client's intentions." – Corporate and M&A
"Reasonable fee, quick response." – Dispute resolution
"Reliable advice. Good value for money." – Dispute resolution
"Atsumi & Sakai provides objective, insightful perspectives that enhance decision-making accuracy. Playing a crucial role as a trusted advisor, the firm consistently achieves solid outcomes." – Dispute resolution
"Atsumi & Sakai is a highly reliable Japanese law firm with strong technical expertise, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure and related transactional matters. The firm is responsive, pragmatic and commercially aware. They understand how to work effectively alongside international counsel and provide clear, practical advice on Japanese law issues. Their work product is thorough, well-judged and client-focused." – Energy
"Possesses extensive experience and expertise in life sciences contract negotiations." – Intellectual property
"They fully grasp the situation and give us detailed, realistic advice." – Intellectual property
"By utilizing their expertise and extensive network, Atsumi & Sakai enabled us to communicate with a wide range of professionals in a short period of time and efficiently advance the project. They also functioned as a communication hub, ensuring that our needs and intentions were clearly conveyed and understood by overseas specialists." – Labour and employment
"Specific knowledge of the major sporting events sector." – Media and entertainment
"Prompt response is highly appreciated." – Real estate
"They deeply understand our business and give us professional advice." – Shipping
Bonnie Dixon
"Very good communication; excellent ability to translate Japanese law concepts for Westerners; always keen to find a solution."
Saori Hanada
"Hanada-sensei is an exceptionally bright lawyer. She is first among her peers, very knowledgeable, smart, proactive and hands-on. She is the kind of lawyer you turn to for the trickiest of matters."
"Her willingness to meet deadlines."
"She is amazingly thorough and relentless in getting the job done."
"Saori is extremely thorough and insightful in handling files, reflective of her substantial experience in the full range of antitrust law practice."
Mayumi Hongo
"Mayumi provides prompt and courteous responses. She is highly empathetic and dedicated to us."
"She provided practical advice."
Harukuni Ito
"Extensive experience and expertise in life sciences contract negotiations."
"Provides flexible feedback."
Daniel Jarrett
"Very responsive and always available when needed."
Chie Kasahara
"She responds quickly and has excellent comprehension skills. She is able to adapt flexibly to any situation."
Akimoto Kawamura
"He always listens to our inquiries to deeply understand what we request and gives extremely clear legal opinions. There is always cost transparency and he considers our budget and gives us the best advice within it."
"He delivered comprehensive, timely, and easy-to-understand outputs."
Atsushi Kawamura
"Advice that reflects and aligns with the client's intentions."
Shuji Koyama
"Koyama-sensei's advice is precise and consistently reliable. In particular, we greatly value his practical, market-aligned guidance. Additionally, his prompt responsiveness is extremely helpful in advancing our transactions."
Yutaka Sakai
"Yutaka provides consistently high-quality, practical and business-oriented advice. He has a strong understanding of complex cross-border transactions and communicates clearly and efficiently. His responsiveness and attention to detail are particularly valuable."
Ian Scott
"Specialist in major sports events. Detailed, knowledgeable and thorough."
Akira Shimazaki
"He deeply understands our business and has professional knowledge of shipping finance."
Toshiaki Takahashi
"As a trusted advisor and partner at Atsumi & Sakai, Toshiaki provides objective, insightful perspectives that enhance our decision-making."
Kenichi Tanizaki
"Finance and drafting."
"They have a deep understanding of our bank's business style and my team's approach, enabling them to swiftly develop high-quality financing structures and effectively support contract negotiations."
"Good communication."
Emiko Uchida
"Communication skills."
Tatsuo Yamashima
"They possess exceptional knowledge and experience, supported by an international network."
"His advice is precise and practical, and based on a deep understanding of the practices of the regulatory authority."
"Responsiveness and understanding of our needs."
"He took the lead on our project, overseeing communications and handling Q&A with law firms in each country. This was precisely what we had expected from him."
Setsuko Yufu
"Total dedication."
Client feedback
"They proactively research information that we have not provided ourselves and incorporate it into the legal services they deliver." – Banking and finance
"They have a deep understanding of our bank's business style and my team's approach, enabling them to swiftly develop high-quality financing structures and effectively support contract negotiations." – Banking and finance
"The lawyer we hire also has extensive knowledge about the system reforms initiated by the Japanese Bankers Association. They review legal documents from the client's perspective and give really thorough explanations." – Banking and finance
"Counsels of Atsumi & Sakai advise us clearly with appropriate references to laws and regulations and show examples of how companies address the same issues in the same sector." – Banking and finance
"Very professional advice provided in a timely manner." – Competition/antitrust
"The Atsumi & Sakai competition team provides very high-quality service. It functions as a well-integrated team of lawyers with the highest levels of service at all levels of seniority." – Competition/antitrust
"The size of the law firm is so large that, if the regulators open an investigation against us, they can handle all the tasks which require large human resources." – Competition/antitrust
"The lawyers seconded to our company have an exceptionally accurate understanding of our actual business operations, enabling them to provide legal advice that is perfectly tailored to our needs. In addition to general transactional guidance on client relationships, one of the firm's strengths is the numerous insights we receive from both domestic and international competition-law perspectives." – Competition/antitrust
"Their legal advice was precise and clear, enabling us to easily understand our situation. Their communication with regulatory authorities was effective, allowing us to understand the authorities' views and the actions we needed to take. Their advice and support in representing us effectively supported our business." – Competition/antitrust
"They are very thorough, super timely and a very good firm." – Competition/antitrust
"In our experience they are adept at handling cross-border coordination on antitrust matters to promote and protect client interests. They demonstrate substantial depth of sectoral knowledge and a wide range of experience with antitrust issues." – Competition/antitrust
"They provided practical advice based on their experiences." – Construction
"They provided prompt and highly professional advice, including highlighting key considerations tailored to our position as a subsidiary of an insurance company." – Corporate and M&A
"Strong expertise in cross-border transactions and shipping-related matters. The team provides practical, business-oriented advice with clear communication and timely responses. They demonstrate a good understanding of complex structures and work efficiently in coordinating with multiple stakeholders." – Corporate and M&A
"They are extremely attentive to detail and respond in a very timely manner." – Corporate and M&A
"Detailed, client-tailored advice and drafting aligned with the client's intentions." – Corporate and M&A
"Reasonable fee, quick response." – Dispute resolution
"Reliable advice. Good value for money." – Dispute resolution
"Atsumi & Sakai provides objective, insightful perspectives that enhance decision-making accuracy. Playing a crucial role as a trusted advisor, the firm consistently achieves solid outcomes." – Dispute resolution
"Atsumi & Sakai is a highly reliable Japanese law firm with strong technical expertise, particularly in renewable energy, infrastructure and related transactional matters. The firm is responsive, pragmatic and commercially aware. They understand how to work effectively alongside international counsel and provide clear, practical advice on Japanese law issues. Their work product is thorough, well-judged and client-focused." – Energy
"Possesses extensive experience and expertise in life sciences contract negotiations." – Intellectual property
"They fully grasp the situation and give us detailed, realistic advice." – Intellectual property
"By utilizing their expertise and extensive network, Atsumi & Sakai enabled us to communicate with a wide range of professionals in a short period of time and efficiently advance the project. They also functioned as a communication hub, ensuring that our needs and intentions were clearly conveyed and understood by overseas specialists." – Labour and employment
"Specific knowledge of the major sporting events sector." – Media and entertainment
"Prompt response is highly appreciated." – Real estate
"They deeply understand our business and give us professional advice." – Shipping
Bonnie Dixon
"Very good communication; excellent ability to translate Japanese law concepts for Westerners; always keen to find a solution."
Saori Hanada
"Hanada-sensei is an exceptionally bright lawyer. She is first among her peers, very knowledgeable, smart, proactive and hands-on. She is the kind of lawyer you turn to for the trickiest of matters."
"Her willingness to meet deadlines."
"She is amazingly thorough and relentless in getting the job done."
"Saori is extremely thorough and insightful in handling files, reflective of her substantial experience in the full range of antitrust law practice."
Mayumi Hongo
"Mayumi provides prompt and courteous responses. She is highly empathetic and dedicated to us."
"She provided practical advice."
Harukuni Ito
"Extensive experience and expertise in life sciences contract negotiations."
"Provides flexible feedback."
Daniel Jarrett
"Very responsive and always available when needed."
Chie Kasahara
"She responds quickly and has excellent comprehension skills. She is able to adapt flexibly to any situation."
Akimoto Kawamura
"He always listens to our inquiries to deeply understand what we request and gives extremely clear legal opinions. There is always cost transparency and he considers our budget and gives us the best advice within it."
"He delivered comprehensive, timely, and easy-to-understand outputs."
Atsushi Kawamura
"Advice that reflects and aligns with the client's intentions."
Shuji Koyama
"Koyama-sensei's advice is precise and consistently reliable. In particular, we greatly value his practical, market-aligned guidance. Additionally, his prompt responsiveness is extremely helpful in advancing our transactions."
Yutaka Sakai
"Yutaka provides consistently high-quality, practical and business-oriented advice. He has a strong understanding of complex cross-border transactions and communicates clearly and efficiently. His responsiveness and attention to detail are particularly valuable."
Ian Scott
"Specialist in major sports events. Detailed, knowledgeable and thorough."
Akira Shimazaki
"He deeply understands our business and has professional knowledge of shipping finance."
Toshiaki Takahashi
"As a trusted advisor and partner at Atsumi & Sakai, Toshiaki provides objective, insightful perspectives that enhance our decision-making."
Kenichi Tanizaki
"Finance and drafting."
"They have a deep understanding of our bank's business style and my team's approach, enabling them to swiftly develop high-quality financing structures and effectively support contract negotiations."
"Good communication."
Emiko Uchida
"Communication skills."
Tatsuo Yamashima
"They possess exceptional knowledge and experience, supported by an international network."
"His advice is precise and practical, and based on a deep understanding of the practices of the regulatory authority."
"Responsiveness and understanding of our needs."
"He took the lead on our project, overseeing communications and handling Q&A with law firms in each country. This was precisely what we had expected from him."
Setsuko Yufu
"Total dedication."
Miura & Partners offers a one-stop legal solution for clients. Founded in 2019, the firm practises in sectors including corporate and M&A, finance, competition law and intellectual property. With the philosophy of “providing comprehensive legal advice and assisting clients in achieving their business goals”, the firm retains its presence both domestically and internationally. Masayuki Atsumi, Tomotake Matsuda, and Kazuo Itazaki are the key figures. Over the past 12 months, the firm has strengthened its dispute resolution practice significantly through five partner-level lateral hires. Junko Shiokawa and Takahiro Nakayama both joined in April 2025, from Conyers Dill & Pearman and Oh-Ebashi LPC & Partners respectively. Ryo Sakamoto followed in July 2025 from PwC Legal Japan, and Atsushi Takase joined in August 2025 from Yanagida & Partners. Most recently, Miwako Shirai joined in January 2026 from Nishimura & Asahi, and Akira Higuchi joined in February 2026, having most recently served as President and CEO of CogSmart, bringing expertise across M&A, finance, and corporate governance. On departures, Sho Isoda left in December 2025 to establish his own practice.
Client feedback
"We are satisfied with the current level of service and support, and there are no specific improvements that we would suggest at this time." – Banking and finance
"Miura & Partners' key strengths are their agility and ability to provide sound advice." – Construction
"Vast knowledge and great global network for referrals." – Corporate and M&A
"Deep legal technical knowledge, responsiveness, accessibility to senior lawyers, value for money." – Corporate and M&A
"Miura's strengths include a deal team of experienced lawyers with strong specialties in M&A, capital markets and structured finance; hard-working team members who respond to requests quickly; and reasonable advisory fees." – Corporate and M&A
"Business-oriented. Quick response." – Corporate and M&A
"Corporate governance, compliance." – Corporate and M&A
"They always get the job done properly." – Corporate and M&A
"We were supported by a team of experienced professionals. In addition, the speed with which they carried out the work we requested was extremely high." – Corporate and M&A
"Their strength lies in their ability to handle a wide range of legal matters, including corporate law and M&A." – Corporate and M&A
"Quick response and strong ability to understand and anticipate client needs." – Corporate and M&A
"Speed and cost efficiency." – Corporate and M&A
"Miura & Partners seamlessly combines elite, top-tier legal expertise equivalent to Japan's 'Big Four' law firms with exceptional commercial agility and flexibility. In the PJ Sonic transaction, they stood out for their practical, solution-oriented approach under a very tight schedule. Their partners are highly hands-on and responsive, directly aligning with our executive management team without the rigid administrative friction often found in traditional major firms. They excel at converting complex legal or regulatory risks into clear, actionable business options." – Corporate and M&A
"Miura & Partners demonstrated strong professionalism, responsiveness, and a practical understanding of cross-border disputes. Throughout our cooperation, their team communicated clearly and efficiently, ensuring that all relevant developments in the Japanese proceedings were promptly shared with us. They were highly collaborative and worked seamlessly with external counsel across jurisdictions, which was particularly valuable in coordinating the Japanese litigation and the related Shanghai arbitration. Their advice was commercially minded, well-reasoned, and focused on achieving practical solutions for the client. I was also impressed by their commitment to client service, attention to detail, and ability to manage complex matters involving multiple legal systems and stakeholders." – Dispute resolution
"By proactively addressing administrative and procedural challenges, they have consistently secured a more favorable position for our company. Their ability to hold the proceedings to the highest standards of accuracy has directly contributed to creating a more advantageous environment for our legal strategy." – Dispute resolution
"Great market knowledge and client handling." – Dispute resolution
"Outstanding legal skills and hugely impressive understanding of English, including business language." – Dispute resolution
"Speed and personalized support." – Dispute resolution
"Miura & Partners' strengths are their expertise in international contracts and their practical, business-oriented advice. They are particularly skilled at identifying key issues in complex agreements, such as master franchise agreements with overseas franchisors, and supporting us in a way that reflects our company's position and interests." – Intellectual property
"This firm's positive attributes include strong strategic thinking and a deep understanding of clients' business objectives." – Intellectual property
"The firm has been providing high-quality support and consultation." – Labour and employment
"Their greatest strengths are their exceptional responsiveness and highly pragmatic approach. Instead of merely presenting dry legal theories, they deliver actionable, business-oriented advice. This allows our legal team to support internal business units smoothly without any delay, making them an invaluable partner for our operations." – Labour and employment
"We can be introduced to the right lawyer for each legal field and receive prompt, accurate advice." – Labour and employment
"Provided decent professional advice on time." – Labour and employment
"Speedy response; we can be referred to specialists in each field." – Labour and employment
"Unlike at large law firms, where multiple attorneys are involved, a single attorney handles cases quickly on their own." – Private equity
"What stands out is that every lawyer demonstrates a genuine willingness to listen carefully to clients' needs and provide responses that are aligned with those needs." – Restructuring and insolvency
Masayuki Atsumi
"Creates positive solutions with an understanding of business needs."
Yuko Kato
"Kato always provides prompt and accurate advice."
Mihiro Koeda
"Not only is his legal expertise exceptional, but he also provides advice drawing upon his extensive experience in conducting ICC arbitration, alongside strategic guidance on negotiations. As he manages matters with a thoroughly client-focused approach, we can entrust cases to him with complete peace of mind."
"Incredibly user-friendly and practical."
"He is inquisitive, a good listener, thorough and has excellent legal and language skills."
Yurika Maeda
"Her extensive legal expertise, prompt responsiveness, and, above all, her ability to anticipate our needs and proactively prepare what is required are particularly impressive. Furthermore, the team's collective strength is outstanding. In particular, the thoughtful guidance and support provided by her supervising partner, Mr. Kentaro Minegishi, complement her work exceptionally well and contribute significantly to the team's overall effectiveness."
Yoshie Midorikawa
"Speed and personalized support."
Haruka Miura
"Depth of legal technical knowledge and responsiveness."
Ryota Miura
"He quickly grasps our questions and presents solutions in a clear and easy-to-understand manner."
Haruka Murata
"Leveraging her profound legal expertise, she consistently delivers optimal solutions. Her exceptional drafting skills enable her to swiftly prepare and review contracts."
"Knowledgeable, thinks ahead of the client to list potential solutions and risks."
"She works thoroughly."
"The speed of her response, her adherence to deadlines, and the accuracy of her judgment."
"Not only does she have a high level of legal expertise, but she is also exceptionally quick to respond."
"Haruka provides exceptionally quick responses and always offers highly accurate and practical legal advice."
"Speed and cost efficiency."
"Ms. Haruka Murata is a standout corporate and M&A partner who combines top-tier legal expertise with remarkable deal management and commercial pragmatism. Throughout PJ Sonic, she personally led the transaction team with incredible efficiency. What makes her exceptional is her ability to understand complex business dynamics and seamlessly translate intricate legal risks into clear, actionable, and solution-oriented options for management. She possesses a rare combination of elite legal acumen and high flexibility, making her far more agile and responsive than counterparts at traditional major law firms. Her direct and seamless communication with our executive team was pivotal to the success of the transaction."
"Haruka's strengths lie in her ability to clearly organize complex contractual terms and legal issues, and to provide practical advice that takes our business context and position into account. In particular, in relation to contracts with overseas franchisors, she is excellent at identifying key issues not only from a legal risk perspective, but also from the viewpoints of future business operations and negotiation strategy. Her explanations are clear and thoughtful, which makes it easier for us to make internal decisions and share information with relevant stakeholders."
"Her sincerity, attentiveness and strong understanding of client needs."
"Provided decent professional advice on time."
"She provides timely and accurate responses to our inquiries."
Yuhei Sakao
"Deep knowledge of compliance and fraud prevention."
Hisashi Shibata
"Mr. Shibata has excelled at organizing and leading Miura's team members, giving the right advice with a deep understanding of our goals, and handling the documentation of financing."
Hiroto Sugahara
"Knowledge in his area of expertise, strong skills in effective and persuasive documentation, and proper case management."
"Exceptional responsiveness: always provides timely feedback, even on urgent and complex matters. Pragmatic approach: delivers practical, solution-oriented advice rather than just theoretical legal interpretations. Strategic crisis management: excels in handling sensitive disputes, such as harassment cases, with deep tactical insight and empathy."
Hiroto Sugawara
"He is a professional on labor issues."
Norika Yuasa
"Norika is highly professional, responsive, and easy to work with. During our cooperation on a cross-border dispute, she demonstrated strong project management skills and ensured smooth communication among the various parties involved. She has a practical and client-focused approach, providing clear and commercially sensible advice while maintaining a high level of attention to detail. I was particularly impressed by her ability to coordinate effectively with counsel in other jurisdictions and to keep the client team well informed of important developments. In addition to her legal expertise, Norika is collaborative, reliable, and proactive in addressing issues as they arise, making her a trusted advisor for complex cross-border matters."
Client feedback
"We are satisfied with the current level of service and support, and there are no specific improvements that we would suggest at this time." – Banking and finance
"Miura & Partners' key strengths are their agility and ability to provide sound advice." – Construction
"Vast knowledge and great global network for referrals." – Corporate and M&A
"Deep legal technical knowledge, responsiveness, accessibility to senior lawyers, value for money." – Corporate and M&A
"Miura's strengths include a deal team of experienced lawyers with strong specialties in M&A, capital markets and structured finance; hard-working team members who respond to requests quickly; and reasonable advisory fees." – Corporate and M&A
"Business-oriented. Quick response." – Corporate and M&A
"Corporate governance, compliance." – Corporate and M&A
"They always get the job done properly." – Corporate and M&A
"We were supported by a team of experienced professionals. In addition, the speed with which they carried out the work we requested was extremely high." – Corporate and M&A
"Their strength lies in their ability to handle a wide range of legal matters, including corporate law and M&A." – Corporate and M&A
"Quick response and strong ability to understand and anticipate client needs." – Corporate and M&A
"Speed and cost efficiency." – Corporate and M&A
"Miura & Partners seamlessly combines elite, top-tier legal expertise equivalent to Japan's 'Big Four' law firms with exceptional commercial agility and flexibility. In the PJ Sonic transaction, they stood out for their practical, solution-oriented approach under a very tight schedule. Their partners are highly hands-on and responsive, directly aligning with our executive management team without the rigid administrative friction often found in traditional major firms. They excel at converting complex legal or regulatory risks into clear, actionable business options." – Corporate and M&A
"Miura & Partners demonstrated strong professionalism, responsiveness, and a practical understanding of cross-border disputes. Throughout our cooperation, their team communicated clearly and efficiently, ensuring that all relevant developments in the Japanese proceedings were promptly shared with us. They were highly collaborative and worked seamlessly with external counsel across jurisdictions, which was particularly valuable in coordinating the Japanese litigation and the related Shanghai arbitration. Their advice was commercially minded, well-reasoned, and focused on achieving practical solutions for the client. I was also impressed by their commitment to client service, attention to detail, and ability to manage complex matters involving multiple legal systems and stakeholders." – Dispute resolution
"By proactively addressing administrative and procedural challenges, they have consistently secured a more favorable position for our company. Their ability to hold the proceedings to the highest standards of accuracy has directly contributed to creating a more advantageous environment for our legal strategy." – Dispute resolution
"Great market knowledge and client handling." – Dispute resolution
"Outstanding legal skills and hugely impressive understanding of English, including business language." – Dispute resolution
"Speed and personalized support." – Dispute resolution
"Miura & Partners' strengths are their expertise in international contracts and their practical, business-oriented advice. They are particularly skilled at identifying key issues in complex agreements, such as master franchise agreements with overseas franchisors, and supporting us in a way that reflects our company's position and interests." – Intellectual property
"This firm's positive attributes include strong strategic thinking and a deep understanding of clients' business objectives." – Intellectual property
"The firm has been providing high-quality support and consultation." – Labour and employment
"Their greatest strengths are their exceptional responsiveness and highly pragmatic approach. Instead of merely presenting dry legal theories, they deliver actionable, business-oriented advice. This allows our legal team to support internal business units smoothly without any delay, making them an invaluable partner for our operations." – Labour and employment
"We can be introduced to the right lawyer for each legal field and receive prompt, accurate advice." – Labour and employment
"Provided decent professional advice on time." – Labour and employment
"Speedy response; we can be referred to specialists in each field." – Labour and employment
"Unlike at large law firms, where multiple attorneys are involved, a single attorney handles cases quickly on their own." – Private equity
"What stands out is that every lawyer demonstrates a genuine willingness to listen carefully to clients' needs and provide responses that are aligned with those needs." – Restructuring and insolvency
Masayuki Atsumi
"Creates positive solutions with an understanding of business needs."
Yuko Kato
"Kato always provides prompt and accurate advice."
Mihiro Koeda
"Not only is his legal expertise exceptional, but he also provides advice drawing upon his extensive experience in conducting ICC arbitration, alongside strategic guidance on negotiations. As he manages matters with a thoroughly client-focused approach, we can entrust cases to him with complete peace of mind."
"Incredibly user-friendly and practical."
"He is inquisitive, a good listener, thorough and has excellent legal and language skills."
Yurika Maeda
"Her extensive legal expertise, prompt responsiveness, and, above all, her ability to anticipate our needs and proactively prepare what is required are particularly impressive. Furthermore, the team's collective strength is outstanding. In particular, the thoughtful guidance and support provided by her supervising partner, Mr. Kentaro Minegishi, complement her work exceptionally well and contribute significantly to the team's overall effectiveness."
Yoshie Midorikawa
"Speed and personalized support."
Haruka Miura
"Depth of legal technical knowledge and responsiveness."
Ryota Miura
"He quickly grasps our questions and presents solutions in a clear and easy-to-understand manner."
Haruka Murata
"Leveraging her profound legal expertise, she consistently delivers optimal solutions. Her exceptional drafting skills enable her to swiftly prepare and review contracts."
"Knowledgeable, thinks ahead of the client to list potential solutions and risks."
"She works thoroughly."
"The speed of her response, her adherence to deadlines, and the accuracy of her judgment."
"Not only does she have a high level of legal expertise, but she is also exceptionally quick to respond."
"Haruka provides exceptionally quick responses and always offers highly accurate and practical legal advice."
"Speed and cost efficiency."
"Ms. Haruka Murata is a standout corporate and M&A partner who combines top-tier legal expertise with remarkable deal management and commercial pragmatism. Throughout PJ Sonic, she personally led the transaction team with incredible efficiency. What makes her exceptional is her ability to understand complex business dynamics and seamlessly translate intricate legal risks into clear, actionable, and solution-oriented options for management. She possesses a rare combination of elite legal acumen and high flexibility, making her far more agile and responsive than counterparts at traditional major law firms. Her direct and seamless communication with our executive team was pivotal to the success of the transaction."
"Haruka's strengths lie in her ability to clearly organize complex contractual terms and legal issues, and to provide practical advice that takes our business context and position into account. In particular, in relation to contracts with overseas franchisors, she is excellent at identifying key issues not only from a legal risk perspective, but also from the viewpoints of future business operations and negotiation strategy. Her explanations are clear and thoughtful, which makes it easier for us to make internal decisions and share information with relevant stakeholders."
"Her sincerity, attentiveness and strong understanding of client needs."
"Provided decent professional advice on time."
"She provides timely and accurate responses to our inquiries."
Yuhei Sakao
"Deep knowledge of compliance and fraud prevention."
Hisashi Shibata
"Mr. Shibata has excelled at organizing and leading Miura's team members, giving the right advice with a deep understanding of our goals, and handling the documentation of financing."
Hiroto Sugahara
"Knowledge in his area of expertise, strong skills in effective and persuasive documentation, and proper case management."
"Exceptional responsiveness: always provides timely feedback, even on urgent and complex matters. Pragmatic approach: delivers practical, solution-oriented advice rather than just theoretical legal interpretations. Strategic crisis management: excels in handling sensitive disputes, such as harassment cases, with deep tactical insight and empathy."
Hiroto Sugawara
"He is a professional on labor issues."
Norika Yuasa
"Norika is highly professional, responsive, and easy to work with. During our cooperation on a cross-border dispute, she demonstrated strong project management skills and ensured smooth communication among the various parties involved. She has a practical and client-focused approach, providing clear and commercially sensible advice while maintaining a high level of attention to detail. I was particularly impressed by her ability to coordinate effectively with counsel in other jurisdictions and to keep the client team well informed of important developments. In addition to her legal expertise, Norika is collaborative, reliable, and proactive in addressing issues as they arise, making her a trusted advisor for complex cross-border matters."
Mori Hamada is highly regarded in the market for its expertise in most practice areas and sectors. It maintains an excellent reputation for undertaking sophisticated domestic and cross-border transactions as well as contentious matters. As one of the largest full-service Japanese law firms, with more than 550 lawyers, the firm is counsel of choice for some major Japanese corporations and foreign multinationals, assisting clients from a broad range of sectors including financial services, energy, manufacturing and real estate. Key figures include banking and finance practitioner Masanori Sato, capital markets-focused Katsumasa Suzuki, M&A and private equity expert Gaku Ishiwata, investment funds lawyer Ken Miura, and restructuring and insolvency specialist Soichiro Fujiwara.
Nakamura & Partners is a long-established Japanese intellectual property firm with origins dating to 1914, offering a full range of IP services across patent, trademark, design, and legal practice areas. The firm fields approximately 60 patent attorneys and 20 attorneys-at-law working across dedicated patent, trademark, and legal sections, providing integrated services spanning IP acquisition and prosecution, oppositions and appeals, licensing, infringement litigation, and related corporate legal matters, both domestically and internationally. One of the firm's distinguishing features is the close and seamless cooperation between its patent attorneys and attorneys-at-law, enabling the firm to deliver comprehensive, multi-disciplinary IP counsel under one roof. The firm is led by representative partners Kazuhiko Yoshida, Hiroyuki Suda, and Kazuo Yamasaki, with managing partners Yuriko Sagara, Yasufumi Yamamoto, and Takeo Nasu also playing central roles in firm management.