About the Firm

<Tokyo office>
Nakamura Law Offices
Portal Point 1003, 4-17, Sakuragaokacho,
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0031 Japan

<New York office>
Nakamura Law PLLC
401 Park Avenue South, 10th Floor,
New York, NY 10016

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Managing Partner
Yuki Nakamura

Associates
Akira Kaneko
Yuta Machida
Shun Oki
Kota Hirakawa
Shinya Hasegawa
Kanaru Yamazaki

Special Counsel
Hisao Sasaki

Of Counsel
Hiroki Terahigashi
Ayaka Kudo

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Managing Partner
Yuki Nakamura

 

Biography

Yuki Nakamura is a founding partner of Nakamura Law Offices based in Tokyo since October 2018.  Before starting his own practice, Mr. Nakamura worked for Yabuki Law offices, a prominent antitrust boutique firm in Tokyo. During the term, he was also seconded to Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP San Francisco office as a visiting attorney from 2014 until 2015.  

At Yabuki, Mr. Nakamura represented clients in compliance and litigation practices including international cartel cases, corruption investigations, multijurisdictional merger control and proxy fights.  He also managed and conducted internal investigations for Japanese and foreign listed companies in the industries of consumer electronics, automobile parts, insurance and pharmaceuticals.

Mr. Nakamura widely handles a variety of corporate cases, including cross-border transactions, M&A (due diligence and SPA drafting), inbound/outbound business expansions, collection of claims, employment law, dispute resolutions and new business regulations.  His clients range from high-tech startups to public companies in the industries of digital advertising, health care, IT (medical information platform, software, VR, etc.), manufacturing, real estate, and entertainment businesses.

Mr. Nakamura routinely provides corporate entities with consulting services for global business expansions including import/export regulations, incorporation of subsidiary and various business transactions. He also supports individuals in their wealth management: offshore investment, real estate management, probate, immigration visas and collection of claims from fraudulent transactions.

Recent representation cases include:

・Advised a Chinese renewable energy company with legal due diligence of its Japanese subsidiaries
・Advised Japanese individuals with probate procedures in the US
・Advised foreign individuals with legal procedures for purchase of Japanese companies and real estate
・Represented a Japanese payment service provider to negotiate claims against Hong Kong acquirer
・Advised a Spanish apparel company in organizing internal rules for Japanese subsidiary
・Advised a Japanese manufacturer in its stock transfer to a US manufacturer
・Advised a Japanese web advertisement agency in its investment to Singapore IT company
・Represented a Japanese major IT platformer on its negotiations with the Japanese Fair Trade Commission to complete its merger transactions
・Acted for a Japanese sushi restaurant on its demonstration events with event planning companies in Manhattan, New York
・Advised a Japanese shipbuilder on its compliance issues occurred in South America
・Advised a Japanese real estate company on its business alliance with an Indonesian company
・Represented a Spanish company in its collection of claims from a Japanese company
・Represented an Asian hotel operator in its dispute negotiations with a Japanese supplier

Areas of Practice
・Corporate/ M&A
・Cross-border transactions
・Dispute negotiations
・Compliance/ Antitrust
・Estate planning/ International inheritance

Seminars (2021~recent)

・“International contracts” “M&A in Japan”（WILL Istanbul Conference 2023、September 2023） ・“Blind spots in international businesses” (e-good heart, nonprofit organization, April 2023)
・“US real estate inheritance” (Gentosha, December 2022)
・“First Steps in international legal practice – How to work with foreign law firms” (Japanese bar association, October 2022)
・“Keys for overseas expansion” (Glocal Solutions Japan, September 2022)
・“Legal issues in EPC” (Japanese manufacturer company, March 2022)
・“Business expansion from zero” (Work Styling of Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd., January 2021)
・“Collection of claims against foreign entities” (Glocal Solutions Japan, July 2021)
・“Business alliance with foreign entities” (Glocal Solutions Japan, April 2021)
・“6 things to know in purchasing US real property” (Open House Co., Ltd., February 2021)
・“Global business expansion” (Glocal Solutions Japan, February 2021)
・“Gun-jumping regulations in M&A” (Japanese manufacturer company, January 2021)

Publication
・“International inheritance” (Gentosha Gold Online, 2021~)
・“Top 50 lawyers in business successions and M&A” (Nikkei newspaper, 2019)
・“Flow & Check Legal Compliance Issues for Corporations” (co-author, published by Shinnippon-Hoki Publishing co., ltd., 2018 edition)
・“Criminal Antitrust And Competition Law Update” (a chapter on the Japan section, published by Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, 2015)

Professional Associations
・Board member and President of Asia Pacific region, Worldwide Independent Lawyer’s League（WILL）　
・Outside company auditor, Sakura Insurance Inc.
・Theme expert (overseas expansion) ,Work Styling of Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.
・Advisor, Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation
・Certified Expert, Glocal Solutions Japan
・Overseas expansion support member for small and medium-sized enterprises, Japan Federation of Bar Associations (JFBA)
・Registered agent, Japan Basketball Association
・Delegate, Josuikai, Hitotsubashi University alumni organization
・Kellogg Club of Japan
・Japan Audit & Supervisory Board Members Association

Bar Admissions
・Japan, 2009
・New York, 2015

Education
・LL.M., Northwestern University School of Law, 2014
・J.D., Hitotsubashi University Law School, 2007
・Bachelor of Law, Hitotsubashi University, 2005

Language
・Japanese
・English

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Associate
Akira Kaneko

Experience
・2021 Nov.- Nakamura Law Offices
・2021 Feb.-Oct. Ernst & Young ShinNihon LLC
・2017-2020 King & Wood Mallesons Tokyo (Foreign Law Joint Enterprise)
・2016-2017 GMO Pepabo, Inc.
・2015-2016 MediBang Inc.
Bar Admissions
・Japan, 2015 (Tokyo Bar Association)
Education
・J.D., Keio University Law School, 2013
・Bachelor of Law, Keio University, 2011

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Associate
Yuta Machida

Experience
・2021.Sep. – Nakamura Law Offices
・2021 Law Firm
・2017-2020 Japanese company
Bar Admissions
・Japan, 2017 (Tokyo Bar Association)
Education
・J.D., Omiya Law School, 2014
・Bachelor of Economics, Hosei University, 2009

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Associate
Shun Oki

Experience
・2022 Apr.- Nakamura Law Offices
・2020 Apr.-2022 Mar. Assistant Judge, Tokyo District Court
・2017 Jan.-2020 Mar. Assistant Judge, Sapporo District Court
Bar Admissions
・Japan, 2022 (Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association)
Education
・J.D, Waseda University Law School, 2015
・Bachelor of Law, Sophia University, 2012

Associate
Kota Hirakawa

Experience
・2017-2024 Sep. Law firm in Osaka
・2023 Aug.-2024 Aug. Visiting Scholar at UC Berkeley
・2024 Sep.- Nakamura Law Offices
Bar Admissions
・Japan,
　2017 Osaka Bar Association
　2024 Tokyo Bar Association
Education
・J.D. Chuo Law School
・Bachelor of Law, Keio University
Areas of Practice
・Corporate
・Cross-border transactions
Language
・Japanese
・English

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Associate
Shinya Hasegawa

Experience
・2022- Nakamura Law Offices
・2019 Persol Career Co., Ltd.
Bar Admissions
・Japan, 2022 (Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association)
Education
・ J.D. Waseda University Law School, 2018
・Green River College, USA, 2016-2017
・Bachelor of Law, Waseda University, 2015

 

Associate
Kanaru Yamazaki

Experience
・2023- Nakamura Law Offices
Bar Admissions
・Japan, 2023（Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association）
Education
・J.D., Hitotsubashi University Law School, 2019
・Bachelor of Law, Hokkaido University, 2015

 

Special Counsel
Hisao Sasaki 

Hisao Sasaki is a special counsel at Nakamura Law Offices since January 2023. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Sasaki has a successful track record in the business world. In 1977, right after graduating from the University of Tokyo with BS in Mathematics, he joined Hitachi, Ltd. as a product design engineer and worked as a software developer and, after a few years, as a microprocessor developer. During this period, he acquired the highest Japanese national certificate for IT engineers at that time. 

After 15years of work as an engineer, he went to Yale School of Management (MPPM/MBA) and switched his career to management. He returned to Hitachi and helped convert its Information Systems Group from product oriented business to service oriented business. In conjunction with this challenge, he also materialized several business developments and alliances with a major US IT enterprise as well as a few technology ventures through 8 years of work as a business representative of Hitachi (co-worked with a US law firm).

After a stint as a management advisor to the founder of a start-up company, Mr. Sasaki joined Ricoh Group and oversaw business development of one of its group companies as a managing director. Also at Ricoh Company Ltd., the head of Ricoh Group, during his 9 years of tenure, Mr. Sasaki managed and achieved several acquisitions and post merger integrations as a business representative of Ricoh. The acquisition targets included a printer division from a major US IT enterprise, medium US, Canadian and Korean software firms (co-worked with US, Canadian and Korean law firms). He also worked in divestiture of unprofitable segments.

With his 41years of experience in business, Mr. Sasaki wanted to give back through energizing business and society at the cross road of economy and law. In 2017, he decided to retire from Ricoh and went to the University of Tokyo Law School (JD), and was admitted to the Bar of Japan.

Bar Admissions
・Japan, 2022
Experience
・2023～　 Nakamura Law Offices
・2008～2017 Ricoh Company Ltd., Production Printing Business Group
・2005～2008 Ricoh Printing Systems Co, Ltd., managing director et al.
・2001～2005 Start-up Company, management advisor to the founder
・1977～2000 Hitachi, Ltd., Information Systems Group
Education
・JD, The University of Tokyo Law School, 2021
・MPPM/MBA,Yale University School of Management, 1992
・MS (Electrical Engineering), Yale University Graduate School, Dept. of Engineering and Applied Science, 1984
・BS (Mathematics), The University of Tokyo,  1977

Language
・Japanese
・English

Of Counsel
Hiroki Terahigashi

Areas of Practice
・Finance
・Blockchain, Crypto Assets, Token Financing
・Special Equity Fund, Structured bonds Documentation
・Startup Support

Experience
・2019-　　Nakamura Law Offices
・2018-　　CERES INC.　General Manager of Corporate Planning Office
・2016-2018 Nomura Holdings, Inc. Financial Innovation Office
・2010-2016　Nomura Securities Co., Ltd.　Transaction Legal Department
・2010　　 Mamiya Law Offices
・2000-2008　ORIX Corporation　Legal Affairs Department
・1998-2000　ESLEAD CORPORATION　General Affairs Department
・1997-1998　ELECOM CO., LTD. General Affairs Department

Activities
・2019-   Outside Auditor at JOLLY GOOD Inc.
・2018-   Director at Mercury INC.
・2018-   Outside Director at IT Realize Co., Ltd.
・2010-   Member of Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association Law Research Institute (Financial Instruments and Exchange Act Section)

Bar Admissions
・Japan, 2009 (Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association)

Education
・J.D., Toin University of Yokohama Law School, 2009
・J.D., Waseda University Law School, 2006
・Bachelor of Law, Kobe University,1997

Of Counsel
Ayaka Kudo Jones

Ayaka is an attorney with significant experience advising clients with their needs in immigration law, family law, and probate and estate matters. She regularly advises businesses and individuals on these and other issues. Ayaka began her work at the then-Law Offices of Ryutaro Hirota in June of 2011 as a law clerk. Before joining the office, she gained experience in immigration law, business transactions, and human rights issues through various internships. After becoming an associate attorney in December of 2012, she has provided legal services to our clients for the past 10+ years. During law school, Ayaka interned with an immigration law firm where she handled issues related to humanitarian parole and waiver of inadmissibility, and prepared various immigrant and non-immigrant visa applications. Ayaka also worked with foster children and human rights organizations to draft a foster care guideline for the Karnataka state government during her internship in Bangalore, India.

Experience
・2012- Law Offices of Hirota and Kudo, PC.
Bar Admissions
・California, 2012
Education
・J.D., University of San Francisco School of Law, 2012
・B.A., University of Notre Dame, 2009
Language
・Japanese
・English