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

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

 

Related Professionals