Hitoshi Ishihara

Hitoshi Ishihara provides a variety of legal services to various international and foreign-affiliated clients establishing and doing business in Japan, with an exceptional focus on cross-border business negotiation, dispute resolution, M&A, international trade, and corporate/commercial matters (including advice concerning corporate governance, compliance, JV management, and internal investigations). His distinctive English skill, backed by over seven years experience in the United States, enables him to effectively bridge the linguistic and cultural gap faced by his clients.Mr. Ishihara also provides pertinent and timely advice that matches the needs of clients expanding overseas, utilizing his rich experience in negotiating and coordinating with clients and counterparts not only from the United States and EU countries, but also in various other jurisdictions with an exceptional focus on Myanmar, as he serves as the Co-Chair of the firm’s Myanmar Desk.In the intellectual property field, Mr. Ishihara has extensive experience in IP licensing and transactions and also provides advice on regulatory issues. In the antitrust field, Mr. Ishihara has been involved in various international cartel cases in which he dealt with foreign antitrust agencies by cooperating with co-counsels in those jurisdictions.Mr. Ishihara also has extensive focus and knowledge concerning the Japanese casino and gaming laws including the Japanese Integrated Resort (IR) Act, providing advice concerning the Japanese IR Act and gaming regulations to various casino operators, equipment manufacturers, foreign law firms, and state agencies. Mr. Ishihara is the only Japanese attorney-at-law who is admitted as a member of the International Masters of Gaming Law (IMGL), which is a non-profit association of gaming attorneys, regulators, educators, executives and consultants from around the world who are dedicated to education and the exchange of professional information and advice.Mr. Ishihara is quoted by Who’s Who Legal as “Hitoshi Ishihara boasts vast experience in the TMT sector and is a well-known figure in the gaming market” and has been named "Gaming Lawyer of the Year in Japan" by various publications, such as Acquisition International Magazine, Corporate Intl Magazine, and Global Law Experts Magazine.