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六本木のビル

Mori & Partners

Tech Lawyers for Cross-Border Businesses

UPDATES

2026.04.25

Recognition

Mori & Partners has been shortlisted for two categories at the ALB Japan Law Awards 2026: (i) Boutique Law Firm of the Year and (ii) Rising Law Firm of the Year. The ALB Japan Law Awards, now in its 22nd year, recognize outstanding achievement across the Japanese legal market. The awards ceremony will be held on June 12, 2026 in Tokyo.

2026.03.24

Energy

We are delighted to annouce the release of our latest insight, “Electricity Pricing in Japan: Key Legal Considerations for Retail Suppliers”

2026.03.04

Digital Payments & Consumer Protection

Shunya Suzuki published an opinion piece on user protection in connection with in-app purchases in The Nikkei, Japan’s leading business daily, on March 4 (Economic Classroom / “Shiken Takken” column, p. 30).

2026.03.02

Firm News

Mori & Partners is pleased to announce that Takamasa Tsumurai has joined the firm. Takamasa focuses on technology-driven matters, including data protection and privacy, AI and machine learning, open-source software (OSS) governance, platform regulation, and digital advertising.

2026.01.05

Firm News

Mori & Partners is pleased to announce that Koichi Nakatani has joined the firm as a Partner. Koichi brings over two decades of experience in technology and software matters, intellectual property, cross-border and domestic M&A, commercial disputes, and employment law.

2025.12.15

Energy

Shunya Suzuki served as a lecturer for an on-demand professional course titled “Regulatory Compliance for the Retail Electricity and Energy Industry,” hosted by Kankyo Business, a leading Japanese media platform specializing in environmental and energy business.

2025.11.5

TMT

Our Managing Partner, Shinichiro Mori, published an opinion piece on information law and social media policy in The Nikkei, Japan’s leading business daily, on November 5 (Economic Classroom / “Shiken Takuken” column, p. 33).

2025.10.20

M&A, Renewable Energy

We are delighted to annouce the release of our latest insight, “Renewable Energy M&A in Japan: Key Land-Related Issues and Practical Risk Mitigation”

2025.8.5

Space

Our Managing Partner, Shinichiro (“Shin”) Mori, was appointed as an Alternate Statutory Auditor of ispace, inc. a pioneering space exploration company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Growth Market. We would also like to annouce the release of our latest insight, “Toward a 2026 Reform of Japan’s Space Activities Act: Clarifying Legal Frontiers in Suborbital, Reusable, and Crewed Missions“.

ビル群
THE FIRM

We are Japan’s specialist counsel for technology companies navigating complex regulatory, transactional, and dispute matters—advising fintech operators, AI and digital platforms, global game publishers and energy businesses on how Japanese law works in practice.

Our firm was founded with the vision of providing top-tier legal services and delivering exceptional results for our clients.

In pursuit of this vision, we adhere to the following guiding principles:

  • Value-driven & Business-oriented Approach

Our foremost mission is to add value to our clients’ businesses through our legal services. We continuously strive to offer cutting-edge solutions, while always prioritizing our clients’ need for practical, business-oriented advice.

  • Diversity, Inclusion, and Fairness

To achieve our objectives, it is essential that our firm is comprised of highly motivated and exceptionally talented professionals who can engage in open and fearless exchanges of ideas. We are committed to cultivating a diverse, inclusive, flat, and fair work environment that fosters free and vigorous discussions and attracts top talent.

  • Integrity

Our team members understand that integrity is crucial in both personal relationships and business contexts. We pledge to maintain the highest level of integrity in all our words and actions.

Mori & Partners
Roppongi Hills North Tower 16F
6-2-31 Roppongi, Minato-ku
Tokyo 106-0032 Japan
T +813-6831-9281　F +813-6800-5542

PROFESSIONALS

Koichi Nakatani 

PARTNER 

Koichi Nakatani is a partner at Mori & Partners whose practice spans technology and software matters, intellectual property, cross-border and domestic M&A, complex commercial disputes, and employment law. He has extensive experience advising global IT vendors on mission-critical system development projects, software licensing, data protection, and IT-related litigation. In the IP field, he represents both Japanese and international companies in brand protection, anti-counterfeiting, and contentious patent and trademark matters, including for luxury fashion houses. 

Koichi also has a strong corporate and transactional practice covering a broad range of industries, including investment funds, real estate, energy, automotive and mobility, consumer goods, manufacturing, hospitality, senior care, and franchise businesses. In employment matters, he advises foreign clients on labor compliance, investigations, labor tribunals, and litigation. 

With more than two decades of experience bridging in-house, international, and private-practice roles, Koichi serves clients ranging from major listed companies to high-growth start-ups. He plays an essential role in connecting the firm’s TMT and technology-driven practice with its corporate and disputes capabilities, and is well positioned to manage high-stakes litigation and complex transactional mandates. 

Prior to joining Mori & Partners, Koichi was a partner at a prominent Tokyo law firm. He began his career as in-house counsel at IBM Japan, where he gained deep insight into technology contracting and large-scale system development projects

Practice Areas

  • IT transactions and disputes 
  • Software licensing and IP enforcement 
  • Mergers and Acquisitions 
  • Cross-border commercial transactions 
  • Employment and labor disputes for international clients 

Admissions

Japanese Bar (The Dai-ni Tokyo Bar Association) 

Education

  • Master of Laws (IP LL.M.), University of Washington School of Law 
  • Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.), Keio University Faculty of Law

Professional Experience

  • Partner, Mori & Partners, 2026 – Present 
  • Partner, Momo-o, Matsuo & Namba, 2010 – 2025 
  • Statutory Auditor, Billing System Co., Ltd., 2015 – Present 
  • Lecturer, Graduate School of Technology Management, Tokyo University of Agriculture & Technology, 2009 – 2011 
  • Associate, Momo-o, Matsuo & Namba, 2004 – 2009 
  • Visiting Attorney, Studio Legale Jacobacci & Associati (Turin, Italy), 2007 – 2008 
  • In-house Counsel, IBM Japan, Ltd., 1997-2004 
View full profile

Selected Publications & Contributions

IT / Technology 

  • From Judicial Decisions to Practice in Software & System Development Disputes (Shojihomu, 2017)  
  • Practice of Information Management (Shin Nihon Hoki, 2005)  

Intellectual Property 

  • Luxury Law (The Global Legal Post, 2015, 2022)  
  • The Art Collecting Legal Handbook (Thomson Reuters, 2013, 2023)  
  • Patent Claim Interpretation (Westlaw, 2013)  
  • Due Diligence and Corporate Governance (LexisNexis, 2005)  

Employment / Labor 

  • “Japan Section,” International Employment Law Update (Taylor Vinters, 2021)  
  • “COVID-19 and the Japanese Workplace” (Taylor Vinters, 2020)  
  • Employment & Law, 3rd Edition (Global Legal Insights, 2014)  

M&A 

  • Due Diligence and Corporate Governance (LexisNexis, 2005)  

T: +813-6831-9285  
E: koichi.nakatani@mps-legal.com

Shinichiro (“Shin”) Mori

MANAGING PARTNER

Shinichiro (“Shin”) Mori is the Managing Partner of Mori & Partners, a Tokyo-based law firm serving a diverse range of international and domestic clients. He provides strategic legal counsel to corporations and investors seeking to establish, expand, or operate businesses in Japan, with particular experience in cross-border transactions and dispute resolution. His practice spans corporate and commercial law, insurance, real estate, regulatory compliance, and employment matters.

Shin also maintains a strong focus on the technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sector, with recognized expertise in gaming and eSports. He advises global publishers, developers, and platform operators on market entry, regulatory compliance, content review, licensing, and dispute management in Japan. His work frequently involves navigating complex intersections of law, technology, and business, particularly in matters involving the Payment Services Act, consumer protection regulations, and intellectual property rights.

In addition, Shin represents clients in high-value international arbitration and litigation, and regularly engages with Japanese regulatory authorities on behalf of overseas companies. He is admitted to practice in Japan and New York, and is fluent in both English and Japanese.

Shin publishes commentary on legal and regulatory issues affecting foreign businesses operating in Japan on Substack.

Practice Areas

  • Technology, Media & Telecommunication (TMT)
  • Gaming & Esports
  • Insurance
  • Commercial Litigation & International Arbitration
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Japan Market Entry (Japan subsidiary & branch support)

Admissions

New York Bar
Japanese Bar (The Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association)

Education

Master of Laws (LL.M.) at Columbia University, Law School
The University of Tokyo, School of Law (J.D.)
The University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law (LL.B.)

Professional Experience

Alternate Statutory Auditor, ispace, Inc., 2025

Japan Representative, Supercell Oy, 2024

Co-Representative, Metacore Japan, G.K., 2024

Founder & Managing Partner, Mori & Partners, 2023
Partner, Momo-o, Matsuo & Namba, 2019-2023
Country Representative (Japan), the Asia-Pacific Forum for International Arbitration (AFIA), 2016
Associate, Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, United Kingdom, 2015-2016
Associate, Momo-o, Matsuo & Namba, 2009

View full profile

Publications

Report on digitalization of legislative affairs and the organization and utilization of legal data

The Digital Agency of the Japanese Government (2024)

The Insurance Disputes Law Review: Edition 6 – Japan Chapter
Law Business Research Ltd. (2023)

Enforcement of Judgements 2022 (Japan Chapter)
Chambers and Partners (2022)

The Insurance Disputes Law Review; Edition 5 (Japan Chapter)
Law Business Research Ltd. (2022)

Enforcement of Judgements 2021 (Japan Chapter)
Chambers and Partners (2021)

Foreign Investments in Israel
Business Law Journal (November 2020)

International Arbitration 2020 (Japan Chapter)
Chambers and Partners (2020)

Cartels 2019 (Japan Chapter)
Mondaq (2019)

Practice on Information Management
Shin Nihon Hoki (2018)

International Arbitration 2019 (Japan Chapter)
Chambers and Partners (2018)

Q&A Shareholders Meeting Practices
Shojihomu (2012)

Practice on Information Management
Shin Nihon Hoki (2011)

Seminars and Presentations

  • Opening speaker at the Asia-Pacific Forum for International Arbitration (AFIA) seminar on AI, FinTech, and Space Arbitration, titled “Arbitration and New Tech Horizons: Brighter Days Ahead?”, 2023
  • Speaker, “Trends and Access to Third-Party Funding”, 2021
  • Lecturer, “International Arbitration (Advanced),” an e-learning series by JIDRC (Japan International Dispute Resolution Center), 2020
  • Speaker, “International Commercial Arbitration and Mediation—Key Issues for Resolving International Commercial Disputes”, 2020
  • Panelist, “New York State Bar Association’s International Section Global Conference”, 2019
  • Moderator, “YJAA-AFIA Joint Seminar”, 2017

Interviews & Media Features

T: +813-6831-9282
E: shinichiro.mori@mps-legal.com

          Kentaro Sano

          COUNSEL

          T: +813-6831-9283
          E: kentaro.sano@mps-legal.com

          Practice Areas

          • Employment
          • IT
          • Corporate
          • Mergers & Acquisition
          • Real Estate
          • Litigation
          • Legal Support for Start-up Businesses

          Admissions

          Japanese Bar (The Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association)
          Labor and Social Security Attorney(Tokyo Labor and Social Security Attorney Association)

          Education

          Waseda University, School of Law (J.D.), 2018
          Waseda University, Faculty of Law (LL.B.), 2016

          Professional Experience

          Counsel, Mori & Partners, 2026

          Senior Associate, Mori & Partners, 2023
          Associate, Momo-o, Matsuo & Namba, 2020

          View full profile

          Publications

          Media Features

          Shunya Suzuki

          Shunya Suzuki

          SENIOR ASSOCIATE

          T: +813-6831-9284
          E: shunya.suzuki@mps-legal.com

          Shunya Suzuki provides legal support to clients across a wide range of sectors, including energy, environment, real estate, corporate/M&A, project finance, and gaming. His practice covers both transactional and regulatory matters, enabling him to deliver comprehensive and business-oriented solutions.

          Mr. Suzuki places particular focus on the energy and environmental fields, advising on contract negotiations and regulatory compliance for renewable energy projects and electricity and gas businesses, as well as on regulations relating to environmental laws and regulations.

          He also offers advice on transactions involving various types of real estate, including sales, development, investment, and management, tailored to the specific needs of each client.

          Practice Areas

          • Energy
          • Environmental Law
          • Mergers & Acquisitions
          • Japan Market Entry (Japan subsidiary & branch support)
          • Real Estate
          • Project Finance
          • Gaming

          Admissions

          Japanese Bar (The Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association)

          Education

          The University of Tokyo, Faculty of Law (LL.B.), 2018

          Professional Experience

          Senior Associate; Mori & Partners, 2024
          Associate; Nagashima, Ohno & Tsunematsu, 2019-2024

          View full profile

          Publications

          • “Practical Considerations for the Amendment to the Renewable Energy Special Measures Act: Ahead of the April 2024 Implementation” – Published in NO&T Infrastructure, Energy & Environment Legal Update Newsletter

          Seminar

          Takamasa Tsumurai

          ASSOCIATE


          E: takamasa.tsumurai@mps-legal.com

          Takamasa Tsumurai focuses on technology, data protection, advertising, and platform regulation.  His practice particularly centers on privacy and data governance, AI-related legal issues, open-source software (OSS) license compliance, online platform regulation, and commercial contracting.   

          Prior to joining the firm, he served as in-house counsel at LY Corporation (formerly Yahoo Japan and LINE), where he advised on a broad range of legal matters across major web-based services, including online media platforms and digital advertising services. His experience includes contract review, privacy impact assessments (PIAs), and data governance support, with particular emphasis on compliance with Japan’s Personal Information Protection Act (APPI), AI- and machine-learning-related copyright and data usage issues, and OSS governance frameworks. 

          Drawing on his background as a software engineer, Takamasa brings strong technical literacy and regularly works closely with engineers and product teams, enabling him to provide practical, implementation-oriented legal advice that bridges technology and law for both domestic and international clients. 

          Practice Areas 

          • Data Protection & Privacy (APPI) 
          • Technology & Platform Services 
          • AI & Machine Learning (Copyright, data governance, model training) 
          • Open Source Software License Compliance / Governance 
          • Advertising & Labeling (The Act against Unjustifiable Premiums and Misleading Representations) 
          • Copyright & Digital Content 

          Admissions

          Japanese Bar (The Tokyo Bar Association)

          Education 

          • Kyoto University Law School (J.D.) 
          • Kobe University, Faculty of Law (LL.B.) 

          Professional Experience 

          • Associate, Mori & Partners, 2026–present 
          • Legal Counsel, LY Corporation (Yahoo Japan / LINE), 2022–2026 
          • Media Legal Division (2022–2025) 
          • Advertising & Data Legal Division (2025–2026) 
          • Concurrent roles in Privacy Governance Team and OSPO Team (OSS Governance) 
          • Engineer, IT Software Company, 2020–2021 
          View full profile

          Qualifications 

          • JDLA Deep Learning for General (G-Test; AI fundamentals certification in Japan) 
          • Passed the Registered Information Security Specialist Examination (Unregistered) 
          • Passed the Fundamental Information Technology Engineer Examination 
          PRACTICES

          Practice Areas

          Mergers and Acquisitions Japan Expansion & Subsidiary Support International Arbitration & Cross-Border Litigation Employment Insurance Technology, Media & Telecommunications (TMT)

          Industries

          Financial Services & FinTech AI Platforms & Digital Economy Electronic Gaming Digital Media & Entertainment E-Commerce & Logistics Energy & Environment Life Sciences and Healthcare Global Consumer & Luxury Brands Private Wealth
          INSIGHTS
          Insight List
          SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

          Our Commitment

          We believe that the role of a law firm extends beyond the provision of legal services.  As legal professionals working in a global and dynamic society, we consider it part of our mission to contribute meaningfully to the broader community. In line with this philosophy, we are committed to supporting public-interest initiatives that promote human dignity, equity, and well-being.

          Read more

          In 2023, we made a decision to discontinue the use of firm funds for marketing and advertising purposes. Instead, we chose to allocate those resources to support non-profit organizations engaged in activities that serve the public interest. While our contributions are modest, they reflect our sincere intention to foster a socially responsible legal practice.

          Our Charitable Giving to Date

          2025

          • Japan Guide Dog Association

          A public interest foundation that trains and provides guide dogs to visually impaired individuals throughout Japan. Their mission includes enhancing the independence and quality of life of those with visual impairments.

          • Traffic Accident Orphans’ Scholarship Foundation

          A non-profit organization that provides educational scholarships and emotional support to children who have lost parents in traffic accidents.

          2024

          • Aiiku Foundation

          A long-established maternal and child health organization in Japan. It supports women during pregnancy and after childbirth, and promotes child welfare through medical, educational, and outreach programs.

          2023

          • Aiiku Foundation

          We supported this foundation for its long-standing contributions to maternal and child well-being in Japan.

          CAREERS

          At Mori & Partners, we are actively seeking attorneys who possess a keen interest in bridging the gap between global business standards and localized legal expertise. Here are some of the reasons you should consider joining our team:

          • Global Clientele: Our client composition is weighted towards international companies. If you have the capability to provide precise legal advice in English, taking into account differences in legal systems and business norms, we welcome you to our team.
          • Cutting-Edge Focus: Our firm consistently provides legal advice in pioneering sectors such as IT, gaming, energy, environment and eSports. If you have a passion for staying ahead of the curve in these advanced areas, Mori & Partners is the right place for you.
          • Diverse Practice Areas: Our legal practice spans from M&As and general corporate governance to litigation and international arbitration. Assignments are tailored based on individual strengths, aspirations, and unique attributes. We firmly believe in matching our attorneys with fields that resonate with their personal strengths.
          • Flexible Working Environment: Whether you prefer to work from our office or remotely, we provide the flexibility you need. We do not mandate a fixed frequency of attendance, ensuring you maintain a work-life balance that suits you best.


          If you are interested, please send your CV to the following e-mail address. We look forward to welcoming you to Mori & Partners.
          e-mail : info@mps-legal.com

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