About
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About Us
Overview of Kitahama Partners, our philosophy and core values.
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Message from the Representative Partner
A message from the Representative Partner, Toru Watanabe: “We aim to be a truly ‘versatile’ law firm.”
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History of Kitahama Partners
Founded in 1973, we have established a tradition of providing superior legal services and client satisfaction that have been our core values since Kitahama Partners’ establishment.
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Attorney and Specialist Profiles
We provide a broad range of services in virtually every area of law required to meet the needs of clients in Japan and overseas. Here are profiles of our attorneys and other specialists, all of whom have a high level of specialized expertise.
Special Contents
Special Movie
Special videos featuring our Partner attorneys who are always standing beside their clients whenever they make important decisions.
News
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Tomakomai Shinkin Bank: Investigation by the Liability Investigation Committee
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The Privatization of ITOCHU-SHOKUHIN Co., Ltd. by ITOCHU Corporation
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Absorption-type Merger of DAITEC Holding Co., Ltd. by Fukui Computer Holdings, Inc.
Seminars
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Masafumi Kodama
Spoke at “New ICC Arbitration Rules Forum” jointly organized by ICC Japan and ICC DRS North Asia Office during Japan International Arbitration Week in Tokyo.
International Practice International Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
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Masafumi Kodama
Spoke at a panel discussion titled “Highly Expedited Arbitration Provisions and Expansion of Expedited Procedure” during a seminar “2026 ICC Arbitration Rules – Amendments and Developments” organized by ICC Philippines Arbitration and ADR Commission, held in Taguig, Philippines.
International Practice International Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
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Takuya Tome
What are Unsolicited Takeover Bids? – The Findings of the Recent Sessions of the Fair Acquisition Study Group of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)
Mergers and Acquisitions Corporate Finance
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Jun Kawanami Mr. Gerald Thomas (Attorney-at-Law admitted in British Columbia, not licensed in Japan)
Practical Negotiation Techniques and Strategies for In-house Counsels and International Lawyers (Basic Course): Dealing with Tough Counterparties—Harvard Negotiation Techniques and the Essence of Relationship Building
International Practice International Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
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Takuya Tome
Privatization and Unsolicited Takeover Bids: Key Points and Considerations
Mergers and Acquisitions Corporate Finance
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Jun Kawanami
“Understanding International Dispute Resolution: Practices and Procedures from Drafting Contract Clauses to Mediation and Arbitration”, Co-hosted with the Kansai Economic Federation
International Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
Publications
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Jun Kawanami
Translation of IBA Guidelines on Conflict of Interest in International Arbitration
International Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation) International Practice
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Masafumi Kodama
JCA Journal VOL.72No.10 “Role Expected to Arbitral Tribunal for Effective Arbitration”
International Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
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Masafumi Kodama
Japan Commercial Arbitration Journal VOL.6［2025］Know-how regarding the logistics of international arbitration hearings
International Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
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Shintaro Hino Yoshimasa Kakudo
Practical Measures for Cross-border Receiving Agent Services – Analysis of the “Report of the Payment and Settlement Systems by the Working Group of the Financial System Council” – Kinyu Homu Jijo No. 2257 (May 10, 2025)
Finance
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Masafumi Kodama
Know-How on Logistics of Arbitration Hearings– Based on the Experiences at JIDRC –
International Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
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Masafumi Kodama
Law and Practice of Real Estate in Four Jurisdictions in South-East Asia
International Dispute Resolution (Arbitration and Mediation)
Offices
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Osaka Office
Osaka Securities Exchange Bldg.
1-8-16 Kitahama, Chuo-ku
Osaka 541-0041, Japan
Phone: (81)-6-6202-1088
Fax: (81)-6-6202-1080, (81)-6-6202-9550 -
Tokyo Office
Sapia Tower,
1-7-12 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku
Tokyo 100-0005, Japan
Phone: (81)-3-5219-5151
Fax: (81)-3-5219-5155 -
Fukuoka Office
Canal City Business Center Bldg. 4F
1-2-25 Sumiyoshi, Hakata-ku
Fukuoka 812-0018, Japan
Phone: (81)-92-263-9990
Fax: (81)-92-263-9991