International Practices

International Practice

Iwata Godo, aiming at further expansion of its international practice, has established personnel capability and structure through which we can appropriately respond to international cases. Efforts made by Iwata Godo for this purpose include the sending of member attorneys abroad for study, admission to the bar in various countries, experience in working at foreign law firms, cooperation with a leading corporate law firm in China (Jin Mao P.R.C. Lawyers in Shanghai), participation by a partner of this Chinese law firm in our office, participation by an attorney practicing French law who had long worked as a partner in a major foreign law firm, consultation with a US consultant who is experienced in US legal practice, and cooperation with a leading law firm in France (DS Avocats) with a growing international network in Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Our international practice related to the US and European countries in which we have been traditionally involved has expanded and now we offer such services as (i) writing opinion letters on Japanese legislation and legal practice upon request from foreign law firms, (ii) legal advice on filing for a leniency program in connection with an international cartel case that involved Japanese, US and European companies and (iii) conducting due diligence for acquisitions in US and European countries in cooperation with local foreign law firms.

In recent years, we have also expanded our international practice related to Asian countries which have gained importance as markets and we offer legal services regarding the establishment of offices and industrial facilities in Asia, business cooperation with local corporations and acquisitions, in cooperation with local law firms.

Our services for Japanese clients include (i) advice and drafting contracts regarding mergers and business cooperation with foreign companies, licensing, confidentiality, joint research and development, sales, dealership, export and import, and finance, (ii) advice on disputes and representation in procedures in Japan, (iii) representation in procedures related to incorporations in tax havens and (iv) representation of clients in international commercial arbitration procedures. Further, in cooperation with foreign law firms, we assist our Japanese clients with (i) advice regarding foreign legislation, (ii) filing of notifications to overseas competition authorities and (iii) litigation and arbitration procedures in foreign countries.

For non-Japanese companies, we also offer comprehensive legal services including (i) conducting studies on relevant business sectors to support entry into the Japanese market, (ii) advice on regulations applicable to business activities to be conducted in Japan, (iii) advice and representation in filing of notifications, (iv) advice and drafting contracts on various matters such as M&A, joint ventures, business cooperation, licensing and joint research and development, (v) advice on various Japanese laws and (vi) representation in litigation and other legal procedures.

Chinese Law

Iwata Godo, in standing cooperation with a leading Chinese corporate law firm (Jin Mao P.R.C. Lawyers in Shanghai) and with the participation of a Chinese attorney who is a partner thereof and who is registered as a foreign lawyer in Japan and practicing in our office, provides clients with a broad range of legal advice on such matters as (i) legal issues arising in the process of direct investment in China, (ii) M&A and corporate restructuring in corporate groups upon acceptance of foreign capital and (iii) arbitration and litigation in China.

With regard to new direct investment projects in China, Iwata Godo offers such legal services as research and reports on relevant business sectors in China, advice on industrial regulations, advice and representation in procedures such as filings and registrations for clients establishing a resident representative office, a joint corporation or a wholly foreign owned enterprise. In addition, we send member attorneys including the above mentioned Chinese attorney to China to advise Japanese clients on Chinese labour law, company law, contract law, and other laws and regulations.

With regard to advice on industrial regulations, we offer many Japanese bank clients in China, drawing upon our expertise in banking regulations, such legal services as advice on compliance issues in China, foreign exchange controls, registration of foreign currency loans and business involving RMB.

Also for Japanese clients with an established business in China, we offer a wide range of legal services including (i) advice and representation on such matters as M&A in China, corporate restructuring such as restructuring of group corporations upon acceptance of foreign capital from China, US and European countries or transfer of shares, (ii) advice and drafting various contracts including those on trademarks, patents, provision of know-how and sales, (iii) advice on various laws and regulations in China and (iv) representing clients in arbitration and litigation procedures.

EU Law and French Law

Likewise, Iwata Godo works in standing cooperation with a leading French international law firm (DS Avocats http://www.dsavocats.com/index.php4), and a French attorney registered as gaikokuho jimu bengoshi joined Iwata Godo in 2013 from a Magic Circle firm, bringing more than 20 years of international law firm experience including 15 in Japan to our office to focus on international mergers & acquisitions, inbound/outbound investments as well as corporate governance, commercial contracts, antitrust and employment. DS is a global network of five law firms (about 200 lawyers) with more than 17 offices including in major commercial centers worldwide which can be accessed by Iwata Godo; they have offices in France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Canada, Vietnam, Singapore, the PRC, Vietnam and Tunisia. DS Avocats (with more than 120 lawyers in France) is regularly ranked as a leading French firm for M&A involving small and mid-cap companies and they have a “Japan Desk” in Paris (including a Japanese lawyer) that works hand in hand with our Tokyo-based international practice. The cooperation with DS provides strength in depth and breadth at a cost which gives us a competitive advantage in providing cost-effective cross-border solutions for clients. As a result of this cooperation, the integrated teams of DS and Iwata Godo can advise on most business law areas in France and several other jurisdictions.

Publications Related to International Practices

Lectures, Seminars and Conferences Related to International Practices

  • 2023.10

    IG holds a webinar "Competition Law in the US, EU and China: Updates for 2023"

  • 2023.05

    Matsuda Akira and Yamada Kohei lecture on "Duties of Directors & Officers in Singapore and Other ASEAN Countries" at a seminar hosted by Willis Towers Watson

    Speaker: MATSUDA Akira  YAMADA Kohei 

  • 2022.11

    Matsuda Akira spoke at a panel discussion titled "Data Privacy Analysis and Forecast for the Banking and Fintech Sectors" hosted by Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados

    Speaker: MATSUDA Akira 

  • 2022.10

    Matsuda Akira gave a lecture "Understanding and overcoming data protection and cybersecurity challenges, and the path to compliance" at the Legal 500 GC Summit Japan 2022

    Speaker: MATSUDA Akira 

  • 2022.10

    Matsuda Akira and Yu Zhiming gave a lecture "Outline of Japan's Act on the Protection of Personal Information, and matters that Chinese businesses should pay attention to" at Jin Mao Law Firm (in China) and at a webinar (in Japan) on October 14

    Speaker: MATSUDA Akira  YU Zhiming 

News Related to International Practices

  • 2022.09

    An interview with our special counsel Noguchi Motoo on the special court in Cambodia, "Atrocities Cannot Escape Justice: The Importance of Setting an Example" appeared in Asahi Shimbun Digital on September 22

  • 2022.08

    A comment by Landry Guesdon appeared in the article "Japan Pushes Businesses to Postpone Mandatory Retirement Ages Amid Declining Workforce" in International Employment Lawyer on July 28.

  • 2022.07

    An interview with our special counsel Noguchi Motoo, "How Should a War Leader be Judged?" appeared on the "Saturday Watch 9" section of the NHK website on July 5.

  • 2022.05

    Highlights of an interview with our special counsel Noguchi Motoo on the possibility of prosecution of the Russian President by the International Criminal Court were broadcast on NHK's "Saturday Watch 9" on May 28.

  • 2022.04

    Kyoto Shimbun carried a comment on April 23 by our special counsel, Noguchi Motoo, on the Japanese government's possible secondment of a prosecutor to the International Criminal Court with respect to Russian war crimes.

Practice Areas