Europe and the EU
In addition to our independent UK and German practices, Atsumi & Sakai has extensive experience advising on matters relating to other European countries. Our experienced EU law team in our Tokyo and Frankfurt offices is led by a Japanese partner recognized by independent commentators as an expert on EU competition law.
Our experience includes areas such as the Japan-EU EPA (advising the EU Commission), global cartel investigations, anti-dumping, data protection, commercial agreements, and M&A.
Our relevant expertise includes:
- A Japanese partner with recognized expertise in EU competition law
- Frankfurt affiliate office advising on EU law
- Japanese lawyers with experience working in law firms in the UK, Germany, and Belgium
- Ability to advise in Japanese, English, and German
Sample Material Transactions:
- Advised the European Commission on Japanese law in the EPA negotiations between Japan and Europe
- Acting as lead and local counsel on behalf of Japanese and foreign companies in international cartel cases involving areas including automotive parts, air cargo, and ships
- Conducted an EU antidumping investigation for Japanese companies
- Advised on establishment of compliance systems at the branches and subsidiaries of Japanese companies operating in Europe, including advice relating to EU regulations
- Advised a Japanese company on EU regulations relating to technology transfers
- Advising a leading Italian global apparel conglomerate on the restructuring and spin-off of its various Japanese operations
- Advising a Swiss HR consultancy on various employment law issues in Japan, including structuring stock options and related regulations
- Advising an Italian specialist construction supplies company on the acquisition of its Japanese distributor
- Advising a French global automotive supplier on HR issues in Japan
Related Practices
- Antitrust Investigations (Overseas)
- Labor and Employment Law
- Inward Investment
- Overseas Disputes and Litigation
- Banking
- Real Estate Transactions
- Structured Finance and Securitization
- M&A, Corporate Reorganization, and Joint Ventures
- Derivatives
- General Corporate Legal Affairs
- Fintech
- Intellectual Property Transactions
- Financial Regulation
- Data Protection, Privacy, and Cybersecurity
Related Publications
- "EU Competition Law Policy in the Digital Age and Japan – Centered around Platform Regulations – ," published in the journal of the European Union Studies Association Japan, EU Studies in Japan No. 40 (2020)
- "The Recent Practice on Private Enforcement in Relation to Cartels in EU," Review of European Law No.2, Shinzansha (November, 2016)
Related Materials
- "Research Study on Recent Trends of Data Protection Acts in Other Countries,” Personal Information Protection Commission (2018) (Japanese / External Website)
Related Seminars
- Moderator at a presentation about Immigration & Employment, AI and Corporate Law by the Law Society of England and Wales at the joint seminar "Brexit Impacts on Legal System and Practices," hosted by Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association and the Law Society of England and Wales, supported by Japan In-House Lawyers Association (JILA), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) and the Tokyo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, February 17, 2020
- "EU Competition Law Policy in the Digital Era and Japan: Focused on Platform Regulations," The 40th Annual Conference hosted by the European Union Studies Association-Japan, November 16 and 17, 2019, at Kobe University (Keynote Presentation)
- "European Business Law: GDPR in Practice" as a guest speaker at the Business Law Department of the Graduate School of Law, Hitotsubashi University, November 14, 2019
- Panelist at the panel discussion entitled "BREAKOUT SESSION: Agri-Business," at the event entitled "2nd EU-Japan EPA Forum," May 17, 2019
- “[Soon!] Recapping the Basics of “Brexit” and its Implications – a Legal Perspective,” co-hosted by LexisNexis Japan and the Business Law Journal, in cooperation with Atsumi & Sakai, July 27, 2016
- "Establishment of a Geographical Indication Protection System - Impact of EPA/TPP Negotiations between Japan and the EU" at a symposium "FTA for EU, Japan, and U.S.A.," hosted by Hitotsubashi University and EU Studies Institute (EUSI), December 10, 2015