Masahiko SUMIDA
Mr. Masahiko SUMIDA , founding partner and graduate of Waseda University, is a skilled lawyer and patent attorney. As a former diplomat in France, Mr. SUMIDA is fluent in both English and French. He is experienced in international legal matters, specializing in Franco-Japanese commercial and financial transactions. Mr. SUMIDA is particularly capable in the
areas of intellectual and industrial property rights, foreign investment, the development of joint ventures and the establishment of foreign business entities in Japan.
His Career :
| 1967 |
Graduated from the Faculty of Law, Waseda University, Tokyo Entered Japanese Foreign Ministry Studied the French language and law at the University of Nancy and at the University of Besancon, France |
| 1969 | Posted by the Foreign Ministry to the Japanese Embassy in Paris |
| 1972 |
Posted by the Foreign Ministry to the Foreign Economic Co-operation Section in Tokyo Entered the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court |
| 1981 |
Admitted as an attorney in Japan Admitted as a member of the Tokyo Bar Association Entered TOKYO AOYAMA LAW OFFICE (affiliated with Baker & McKenzie) |
| 1984 |
Admitted as a patent attorney in Japan Established SUMIDA LAW & PATENT OFFICE Became General Manager of the Japan Office of L’Union des Fabricants (French based international organization which promotes the protection of international intellectual property rights) Nominated as a member of the Committee on Anti-Counterfeiting of the International Association for the Protection of Industrial Property (AIPPI) |
| 1986 |
Established AKASAKA INTERNATIONAL LAW, PATENT & ACCOUNTING OFFICE Nominated as a member of the International Exchange Committee of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (Nihon Bengoshi Kengokai) |
| 1989 | Nominated as a member of the Tokyo Bar Association (Tokyo Bengoshikai) International Committee |
| 1993 | Appointed Auditor of Japan-France Media Exchange Association |
| 1994 | Co-Author ‘Droit International De L’Homme D’Affaires 1994’ Publisher Editions Dalloz |
| 1995 |
Co-Author ‘Francis Lefebvre International Law Series - Japan Business Law' Lefebvre Publishing (France); December 1995 |
| 1996 | Nominated as a member of the International Exchange Committee of the Japan Bar Association (comprised of judges, prosecutors, Ministry of Justice officials and attorneys) |
| 1997 | At the request of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, delivered lectures on Japanese contract law during the Year of Japan in France. |
| 2004 | Pleaded before the Commercial Court at Melun, France on behalf of the receiver appointed by the Tokyo District Court in connection with corporate reorganization proceedings in Japan. |
| 2005 |
During the bicentennial celebration of the French Civil Code, participated in a symposium in Tokyo as a lecturer , with the President of the Japanese Supreme Court in attendance. Lectured in French on the subject of “The Practical Use of the Civil Code in International Trade.” Nominated as a Director for the Gaimu Seirekai Foundation, a foundation handling charitable actions for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. |
| 2006 | Successfully represented the Canadian Province of Prince Edward Island regarding the Anne of Green Gables trademark, and obtained a favorable precedent-setting judgment in the Tokyo Intellectual Property High Court, holding that the title of a book can be protected beyond the period of legal protection because of its unique character as part of the national heritage. |
Keiichiro MAEDA
Mr. Keiichiro MAEDA, a partner and co-founder of the firm, is a graduate of Waseda University and an experienced Certified Public Accountant. He was formerly employed by Arthur Young & Co., Accountants. Mr. MAEDA specializes in Japanese domestic tax, accounting and auditing services.
His Career :
| 1952 | Born in Fukui, Japan |
| 1975 | Graduated from the Faculty of Commerce, Waseda University, Tokyo |
| 1976 | Entered Arthur Young & Co., Accountants |
| 1980 | Licensed as a Certified Public Accountant Established independent accounting practice |
| 1986 | Co-established AKASAKA INTERNATIONAL LAW, PATENT & ACCOUNTING OFFICE |
