Crisis Management: Domestic
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Japan
Spotlight
About
Provided by Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Dispute Resolution: Domestic
The dispute resolution practice of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, like many firms, is a product of long-standing efforts. Mori Sogo, a predecessor firm, was the largest dispute resolution firm in Japan before MHM was born through merger in 2002. Since then, we have further grown our practice and established our position as a leading dispute resolution firm both for cross-border and domestic matters.
We handle a broad range of high-profile Japanese and cross-border disputes, including litigation, arbitration and other ADRs. As a full-service firm, our dispute resolution practitioners benefit from expertise in a variety of related areas essential to being successful in a wide range of commercial dispute matters.
Crisis Management: Domestic
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto has expanded our practice into crisis management and investigation since our establishment in the 1970s and significant expertise and experience these areas.
We have thus vast experience in all the core areas of crisis management. For decades, we have acted as counsel to companies and directors and as investigator in internal and independent investigations, both domestically and internationally, for cases involving data falsification, human rights issues, medical incidents, accounting fraud, insider trading, unfair competition, bribery and corruption, and other such matters, which have obtained significant attention of the Japanese society and required the wide range of advice and experience.
Chambers Review
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto is recognised as a litigation powerhouse with an experienced bench of practitioners skilled in handling the full range of domestic and cross-border disputes. The firm is active in providing advice in the general commercial area and on product liability, employment and bankruptcy disputes. The team is frequently instructed by major domestic corporations from various industries, such as technology, financial services and construction, and also assists international clients with their dispute resolution mandates in the Asia region. The firm is also recognised as a vital resource for both Japanese and foreign clients requiring crisis management services.
Work Highlights
- Mori Hamada & Matsumotorepresented Japan Post in defence of
- claims brought under the Labour Contract Act by a high number of fixed- term employees over differences between the terms and conditions of their employment contracts and those of employees employed permanently.
- Mori Hamada & Matsumoto supported the members of the special committee at Hitachi Astemo to conduct a thorough investigation into inappropriate conduct, as well as advising on a quality assurance system and compliance framework.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"MHM do not start from a legal point of view in any case but first thoroughly understand our business. In this regard, there is a great sense of security when consulting them."
"We are very satisfied with the advice we receive from a team of experts in M&A, litigation, fraud investigations and tax in complex litigation."
"MHM do not start from a legal point of view in any case but first thoroughly understand our business. In this regard, there is a great sense of security when consulting them."
"We are very satisfied with the advice we receive from a team of experts in M&A, litigation, fraud investigations and tax in complex litigation."
Notable Practitioners
Mugi Sekido is renowned for his litigation and arbitration skills in a range of product liability, financial services and corporate disputes.
"Mugi Sekido is a talented lawyer with exceptional skills."
"Mugi is an accomplished and influential professional with a propensity for negotiating favourable outcomes."
Daniel Allen is experienced representing domestic and foreign clients in commercial arbitration proceedings brought under ICC and JCAA rules. He has particular expertise in cases involving international investment treaties and joint venture agreements.
"Daniel Allen is an exceptionally talented and experienced lawyer in matters of international commercial arbitration. He was consistently patient, thorough and knowledgeable."
Koichiro Iida provides skilful handling of commercial and civil litigation mandates and is noted for his work handling disputes in the TMT sector.
"Koichiro Iida is very dependable when it comes to general disputes and the field of security."
Hideaki Umetsu co-heads the firm's crisis management practice group, focusing on cross-border crisis and risk management and investigation matters.
"Hideaki Umetsu fully demonstrates his professional abilities based on high ethical standards and a fair and sincere spirit. I have absolute trust in him."
Hiroshi Yamauchi is a well-regarded practitioner with extensive experience in the areas of crisis management and dispute resolution. He is co-head of the firm's crisis management team.
"Hiroshi Yamauchi has excellent professionalism, knowledge and personality. He is truly trusted by dozens of companies."
Suguru Miyata is experienced in handling crisis management issues for Japanese companies, including listed corporates, and is particularly noted for his strength in dealing with accounting fraud and financial regulatory matters.
"Mr Miyata is one of the leading lawyers in crisis management, especially in accounting fraud and Financial Services Agency regulation matters."
Yasuhiko Fujitsu regularly advises on crisis management as a co-lead in the firm's crisis management team, with a strong emphasis on capital market-related matters such as accounting irregularities and financial inspections.
"Mr Fujitsu is the most reputable lawyer in the crisis management area. His expertise in capital markets and accounting fraud is outstanding."
Ranked Lawyers at
Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Japan
Members
Provided by Mori Hamada & Matsumoto
Aritsune Miyoda
Chia Chi Chong
Colin Trehearne
Dai Katagiri
Hiromasa Arai
Jiro Kiyama
Kana Manabe
Kanako Tajiri
Kunihiro Watanabe
Lexi Takamatsu
Ryo Kawabata
Seri Takahashi
Shiho Ono
Shinichiro Yokota
Suguru Miyata
Takaaki Kanayama
Tomoaki Kutami
Yoshinori Tatsuno
Yuta Kawashima