Post-War Recovery

Post -War Recovery

World War II resulted in devastation and profound crisis in the Japanese economy, the “zaibatsu” conglomerates such as Mitsui and Mitsubishi were broken up, and leaders in the financial and other sectors were dismissed. In such conditions, Dr. Iwata’s office also saw reduced business, including fewer lawsuits and requests for legal opinions. Immediately after the war, Dr Iwata served as Minister of Justice, and began to devote most of his time and energy to political activity. As a result, he suspended his own practice, and the firm was effectively managed by the lawyers he had trained.

Owing to the steady hard work of these attorneys, the firm recovered, keeping pace with the recovery of Japanese economy. The number of mandates for lawsuits, legal opinions and other services significantly increased, and by the early 1950s, the de facto managing attorneys began to hire junior lawyers again. In 1962, we moved to the former Marunouchi Building as a result of the tremendous reconstruction and redevelopment in the Marunouchi area, including the demolition of the red brick Mitsubishi Village in which the office was previously located. The new office at the time had 14 lawyers, and consisted of 5 practice groups.

History of the Firm