Profiles ｜ Kyowa Patent and Law Office

MIYAJIMA  ManabuManaging Partner

Background

After graduating from the University of Tokyo, the Department of Engineering, Manabu Miyajima was admitted to the bar and registered as a patent attorney in Japan in 2001.
In 2008, he received his LL.M. in Trade Regulation from New York University School of Law (Fulbright Scholar) and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2009.
After obtaining a master’s degree from the Max Planck Institute for Intellectual Property, Competition and Tax Law in 2014, he became a Kyowa partner in 2015.
He is an active member of AIPPI, INTA and APAA.

Articles

• Case law study - Intellectual Property High Court 2010.1.14 (2008 (Gyo-ke)) No. 10235 Case: Enablement Requirements: Gist of the Invention Certification and the Lipase Supreme Court Decision - A.I.P.P.I: Journal of the Japanese Group of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property, Vol. 57, No. 1, pp. 6-22, others

KAWASAKI  YasushiPartner

Background

After graduating from Waseda University (Science and Engineering Department) in 1986, Yasushi Kawasaki worked as an engineer for the Research and Development Department of a measuring instruments manufacturer for six years. In 1992, he passed the Japan Patent Attorney Examination while employed at a patent firm where he prepared specifications for electronical inventions, such as electrical equipment for automobiles, digital cameras, control devices for construction equipment and measuring instruments.
In 1997, he joined Kyowa and became a partner in 2015. At Kyowa, he is mainly involved in acquiring and maintaining of intellectual property rights in Japan and abroad, as well as preparing expert opinion and consulting with regard to patent rights in Japan and abroad.

SEKINE  TakeshiPartner

Background

After graduating from Keio University (Engineering Department) in 1990, Takeshi Sekine worked for Tokyo Gas Engineering Solutions Corporation as a plant engineer for about two years. He then worked at a patent firm for four years and was registered as a patent attorney in 1995. At the firm, he prepared specifications for mechanical inventions, such as motorcycles and automobiles.
In 1996, he joined Kyowa and became a partner in 2015. At Kyowa, his expertise mainly covers acquiring and maintaining of intellectual property rights in Japan and abroad in the field of electro-technology and various control systems, as well as consulting.

AKAOKA  AkiraPartner

Background

After graduating from the Physics Department, Science Faculty of Tohoku University in 1993, Akira Akaoka worked for four years as a device engineer in the Research and Development department and later in the Management department of a semiconductor manufacturer. He then worked at a patent firm preparing specifications for electronical inventions and was registered as a patent attorney in 2000.
He joined Kyowa in 2000 and became a partner in 2015. At Kyowa, his duties are mainly acquiring and maintaining of intellectual property rights in Japan and abroad, as well as preparing of expert opinion and consulting with regard to patent rights in Japan and abroad.

ASANO  MakotoPartner

Background

After graduating from Yokohama National University (Engineering Department) in 1993 and obtaining his MSc degree at the University of Tokyo in 1995, Makoto Asano worked as an engineer with polyester, nylon and polyamide fibers for the Research and Development department of a chemical manufacturer for five years.
In 2001, he passed the Japan Patent Attorney examination and joined Kyowa. He became a partner in 2015.
At Kyowa, his duties are mainly acquiring and maintaining of intellectual property rights in Japan and abroad, as well as preparing of expert opinion and consulting with regard to patent rights in Japan and abroad. Along Kyowa attorneys at Law, he has worked in numerous chemical lawsuits.

Articles

• Fluorescence Studies of the Volume Phase Transition in Methanol/Water Mixed Solvent of Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Gels Labeled with Dansyl Group - M. Asano, K. Horie, T. Yamashita, Polym. Gels Networks, 3, 281-293 (1995)
• Fluorescence Studies of Dansyl-Labeled Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) Gels and Polymers in Mixed Water/Methanol Solutions - M. Asano, F.M. Winnik, T. Yamashita, K. Horie, Macromolecules, 28(17), 5861-5866 (1995)

SUZUKI  NobuoPartner

Background

Nobuo Suzuki worked as an IT engineer for the Research and Development department of a precision equipment manufacturers after graduating from Keio University (Engineering Department) in 1997. He then engaged in the development of network and server structure as well as system development.
He joined Kyowa in 2000 and became a partner in 2015. At Kyowa, he is mainly involved in acquiring and maintaining of intellectual property rights in Japan and abroad, as well as consulting with regard to patent rights in Japan and abroad and conducting as seminars.

SORIMACHI  HiroshiPartner

Background

After graduating from Meiji Pharmaceutical University (Pharmacy Department) in 1995 and obtaining his MSc degree from Chiba University in 1997, Hiroshi Sorimachi worked as a researcher in the R&D department of a pharmaceutical company for almost five years, while preparing for the Japan Patent Attorney examination which he passed in 2002. During two of these years, he worked as a researcher in combinatorial chemistry in the U.S.
In 2003, he joined Kyowa and became a partner in 2015. At Kyowa, his duties are mainly acquiring and maintaining of intellectual property rights in Japan and abroad in biochemistry, pharmacy and food, as well as consulting.

HOTTA  YukihiroPartner

Background

After graduating from Osaka University (Engineering Department) in 1995, Yukihiro Hotta worked as an engineer for the Research and Development department of an aluminum processing company for four years. In 2002, he passed the Japan Patent Attorney examination for which he prepared while working for the Bureau of Transportation of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and in the Management Operations of Railway Facilities.
He joined Kyowa in 2003 and became a partner in 2015. An intellectual property attorney specialized in mechanical engineering, he is now the head of the Mechanical Department.
At Kyowa, his expertise mainly covers acquiring and maintaining of intellectual property rights in Japan and abroad, as well as preparing of expert opinion and consulting with regard to patent rights in Japan and abroad.

DU  RuolingPartner

Background

After graduating from Shanghai East China University of Politics and Law in 1987 and being admitted to the bar in China in 1989, Ms. Ruoling Du received in 1999 her master’s degree in International Economic Law from Yokohama University and was registered as a licensed foreign lawyer in Japan in 2005.
At Kyowa, she has been involved in a considerable number of lawsuits of various background in China.
While acting as a member of AIPPI and INTA as well as of China Trademark Association, she continuously keeps up to date with developments in Chinese IP.

MOTOMIYA  Teruhisa

Background

After graduating from Nihon University, the Department of Law, Teruhisa Motomiya passed the Japan Patent Attorney examination in 1988. He handled trademark, design and unfair competition cases at a patent firm for twenty-four years.
He chaired the Trademarks Committee of Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) from April 2004 to March 2007. He was a member of the Trademark System Committee of the Industrial Structure Council (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) from July 2004 to October 2006. In 2015, he joined Kyowa where he became the Head of the Trademark Department. At Kyowa, he is mainly involved in acquiring and maintaining of trademark rights in Japan and abroad, as well as consulting with regard to trademarks in Japan and abroad and conducting seminars.

Notable Cases

• Toy Blocks for Assembling case (JPN Reg. No. 4478665) Tokyo High Court in 2000 (Gyo-ke) No. 101 / 2001 February 28: Favorable decision in revocation case
• Guylian Seashells Chocolate Bar case (International Registration No. 803104) Intellectual Property High Court judgement handed on 2008 June 30 (Gyo-ke) No. 10293: Trial decision was rescinded in favor of the client

MORI  Hideyuki

Background

Hideyuki Mori graduated from the University of Tokyo, the Department of Engineering in 1984, after which he joined an automobile manufacturer. There, he worked as an engineer in development of materials for automobile components for nine years.
After passing the patent attorney’s examination, he joined Kyowa Patent and Law Office in 1995, where he assists clients with IP services, with a focus on rights acquisition in Japan and overseas. His clients are manufacturers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, automotive components, and electrical appliances. He also has experience in invalidation trials, opposition claims, and appeals against trial decisions.

DEGUCHI  Tomoya

Background

After receiving in 1999 his master’s degree in Engineering from Tohoku University, Tomoya Deguchi worked for almost four years as a semiconductor process engineer and later in the Intellectual Property department of an electronics manufacturer. In 2004, he passed the Patent Bar examination after preparing specifications for electronical inventions at a patent firm for one year.
Joining Kyowa in 2005, his duties are mainly acquiring and maintaining of intellectual property rights in Japan and abroad, as well as preparing of expert opinion and consulting with regard to patent rights in Japan and abroad.

MURATA  Takahisa

Background

Takahisa Murata graduated from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Engineering in 2000, after which he worked for a tire manufacturer.
In 2005, he passed the patent attorney’s examination and joined Kyowa Patent and Law Office. At Kyowa, he provides various services for clients, including patent rights acquisition in Japan and overseas, preparation of expert opinions and comments regarding rights in Japan, assistance with obtaining expert opinions and comments regarding overseas rights, and the enforcement of patent rights in Japan and overseas.

MAEKAWA  Hideaki

Background

Hideaki Maekawa graduated from Tokyo Institute of Technology’s School of Science (Department of Chemistry) in 1983, and from the Chemistry Department master’s program of the same university’s Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Science and Engineering in 1985. He joined a photographic manufacturer, where he was involved in elemental research and product development of highly-sensitive negative films and rapid-processing photographic paper for about seven years.
He joined Kyowa Patent and Law Office in 1992, after which he obtained his qualifications as a patent attorney. At Kyowa, he has worked in a variety of areas, including assisting Japanese and overseas clients to file patent applications and acquire rights, providing expert opinions and comments, arguing patent invalidation trials, and lodging oppositions to grant of patent. He has presented at patent-related seminars at the request of Japanese clients.

SOEDA  Keisuke

Background

After graduating from Waseda University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences in 2006, Keisuke Soeda joined Kyowa Patent and Law Office in 2007 and registered as a patent attorney in 2013. He has been serving as an Examination Committee member of the Intellectual Property Council, established by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), since 2023, as a member of the Trademark Committee of AIPPI since 2021, a member of the Design Committee of APAA Japan Group since 2014 and the vice chairman of the Design Committee of the Japan Foods & Biotechnology Intellectual Property Rights Center (JAFBIC) since 2019.
In 2019, he has lectured on the use of the Hague system in preparation for future IP implementation at a WIPO International Application System Seminar hosted by the WIPO Japan Office. In 2020, he presented on the effect of the 2019 revision of the Design Act at a seminar hosted by JAFBIC’s Design Committee.
He became a member of the Trademark Committee of the International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property (AIPPI) in 2021.
He holds licenses of Class I junior high school teaching (English), chief telecommunications engineer (transmission and switching), First-Class Technical Radio Operator for On-the-Ground Services, Maritime First-Class Technical Radio Operator, and Advanced Information Processing Engineer (SC).

Articles

• How to use the international design registration system using the Hague system and points to keep in mind - Monthly Journal “A.I.P.P.I.” (Japanese publication), AIPPI JAPAN, Sept. 2016
• Amendment of fields in the application form for patent applications - Chizai Kanri [Intellectual property management], Mar. 2014

YAMANOI  Takashi

Background

After receiving in 1998 his master’s degree in Science from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Takashi Yamanoi worked for the intellectual property department of a precision equipment manufacturer for four years where his main duties were acquiring and maintaining of intellectual property rights of electro-photographic technology. He was registered as a patent attorney in 2002 and worked at a patent firm for three years.
At the firm, he prepared specifications for control technology, image processing technology and information processing inventions of office automation devices manufacturers, and for semiconductor technology inventions of communication devices manufacturers.
In 2005, he joined Kyowa where his expertise mainly covers acquiring and maintaining of intellectual property rights in Japan and abroad.

TAKADA  Yasuhiko

Background

After graduating from the University of Tokyo’s Faculty of Engineering (Department of Electronic Engineering) in 2000, Yasuhiko Takada passed the bar examination in 2003 and joined Kyowa Patent and Law Office after completing his judicial apprenticeship in 2005.
　　 Registering as an attorney at law and patent attorney in 2005, he has worked in legal consultations, expert opinions, contract negotiations, warning cases, litigation cases related to intellectual property law, trial cases against the Japan Patent Office, and patent applications.

YAMASHITA  Kazuya

Background

Kazuya Yamashita graduated from Tokyo Institute of Technology’s School of Engineering in 1993, completed the master’s program of the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the same university’s Graduate School of Science and Engineering in 1995, then joined an electrical appliance manufacturer where he worked as an engineer in the development and design of electric switching devices.
After passing the patent attorney’s examination in 2006, he joined Kyowa Patent and Law Office in 2007, where he provides various services, such as rights acquisition, preparation of written expert opinions and comments regarding rights in Japan and overseas. His clients include major general electrical equipment manufacturers, major printing companies, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment manufacturers.

YOSHIDA  Shoji

Background

After receiving in 1998 his Master’s degree in Engineering from the University of Tokyo, Shoji Yoshida worked for almost nine years as an engineer in the Research and Development department and in the Management department of a leading telecommunication systems company. He was then engaged in the development of optical communication apparatus, firmware and ASIC devices for a major domestic carrier. He was a member of Japan’s delegation at the International Telecommunication Union Telecommunication Standardization Sector for four years.
After passing the Japan Patent Attorney examination in 2006, he joined Kyowa where he is involved in acquiring and maintaining of intellectual property rights in Japan and abroad.
He acted as a member of the Patent Committee of the Japan Patent Attorney Association (JPAA) in 2016 and 2017, and as a member of the Patent System Operation Consultation Board of JPAA in 2022. He belongs to the Central IP Research Institute of JPAA, and the SMEs and Startups Support Board of the Kanto JPAA in 2024. He was also appointed as technical advisor of the Intellectual Property High Court, Tokyo District Court and Osaka District Court in 2024.

KOJIMA  Kazumasa

Background

In 2003, Kazumasa Kojima joined a prefectural government office after graduating from Tokyo Institute of Technology’s School of Science (Department of Chemistry). Assigned to a food laboratory, he worked in food products composition analysis, development of functional food products, and development of food packaging materials for four years. During this time, he passed the patent attorney’s examination (2006).
He joined Kyowa Patent and Law Office in 2007, where he assists clients with IP services, with a focus on rights acquisition in Japan and overseas. His clients include Japanese and overseas companies, including food companies, consumer goods businesses, general chemical companies, and oil and energy companies, as well as government agencies. In addition to rights acquisition, he has a wealth of experience in areas such as expert opinions, invalidation trials, opposition claims, and appeals against trial decisions.
In recent years, he has handled numerous dispute cases in collaboration with Kyowa attorneys at law with chemistry background.