Department profile
Morrison Foerster

Life Sciences

Asia-Pacific Guide 2026 : Japan

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Morrison Foerster

Rankings

About

Provided by Morrison Foerster

Morrison & Foerster’s Tokyo office team includes both U.S.- and UK-qualified attorneys who work seamlessly with Japan-qualified bengoshi to advise on life sciences and healthcare matters spanning a range of practices, including corporate/M&A, litigation, technology transactions, IP, compliance & investigations, antitrust, and capital markets. With the most extensive offering of any international firm in Japan, we regularly advise clients in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device sectors on their most sensitive and complex transactions, disputes, investigations, and licensing matters, most of which are cross-border in nature. Our Japan capabilities are further strengthened by Morrison & Foerster’s global platform, which includes internationally recognized experts in specializations and industries of key importance to life sciences and healthcare clients, such as patent prosecution, privacy and data security, FDA regulatory, anti-corruption, and national security/protection.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Life Sciences - Japan

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Morrison Foerster has a substantial team that attracts mandates from major pharmaceutical companies and other corporations engaged in the sector, and especially those relating to cross-border M&A transactions, joint ventures and venture capital. The firm offers advice on IP commercialisation as well as areas such as R&D and patent protection. The team's scope of expertise also includes assisting clients with disputes, with a focus on product liability claims and drug distribution litigation.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Morrison Foerster advised Ono Pharmaceuticals on its negotiations with IONIS Pharmaceuticals on a licence agreement to exclusively develop, manufacture and commercialise pharmaceutical products containing IONIS’ proprietary ASO compound.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The firm’s strengths from our view is that they have a culture where the advisers are top class but socially are collaborative, responsive, flexible, efficient and pragmatic.

    Life Sciences respondentAsia-Pacific

  • The team fully understands our preferences and is good at quickly and accurately grasping complex contents.

    Life Sciences respondentAsia-Pacific

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Masato Hayakawa
    Masato Hayakawa

    Masato Hayakawa

    Masato Hayakawa has a notable life sciences practice with an impressive client roster of pharmaceutical and medical device companies. He demonstrates his technical prowess in various licensing, distribution and collaboration agreements, as well as contractual disputes arising from them.

    • He has a specialised knowledge in IT and pharmaceuticals. I have peace of mind leaving everything to him. He has a deep understanding of the language and Japanese companies.

      Life Sciences respondentAsia-Pacific

    • He is an excellent lawyer who can provide the latest knowledge on the advancement of AI and the use of intellectual property rights in the life sciences field.

      Life Sciences respondentAsia-Pacific
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  • Yukihiro Terazawa
    Yukihiro Terazawa

    Yukihiro Terazawa

    Yukihiro Terazawa is recognised for his experience handling disputes and advising on intellectual property for companies in the life sciences industry.

    • Terazawa can provide accurate and effective guidance on complex and advanced overseas-related matters with a deep understanding and insight into the industry and on-site operations of the company.

      Life Sciences respondentAsia-Pacific
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Ranked Individuals at Morrison Foerster (2)

Japan

Members

Provided by Morrison Foerster

Morrison Foerster has rankings in the following guides

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