LAWYER PROFILE
Kozo Kawai

Kozo Kawai

Asia-Pacific 2026

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Nishimura & Asahi
 Nishimura & Asahi

Ranked in 2 practice areas

Competition/Antitrust

Japan

17 years ranked

International Trade

Japan

13 years ranked

About

Provided by Nishimura & Asahi

Asia-Pacific

Practice Areas

M&A, Corporate & Commercial Transactions, Compliance, Cross-border Transactions (General), International Trade, International Disputes, Specialized Disputes, IP Litigation, Telecommunications/Media, Competition Law/Antitrust Law, Assistance to Administrative Organizations.

Career

Partner, Nishimura & Asahi. Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, Brussels (1994-1995); Deputy Director, Trade Agreement Administration Division, WTO Affairs, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Tokyo (1995-1997); Lecturer, University of Tokyo, School of Law (2006-2015).

Professional Memberships

Japan, 1988 (voluntarily deregistered, 1995 and readmitted, 1997).

Personal

Graduate of the University of Tokyo (LLB, 1984) and Columbia University School of Law (LLM, 1993).

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Asia & Pacific

Competition/Antitrust - Japan

Band 1
Individual Editorial
Kozo Kawai has long been called upon for his sector-leading knowledge of non-contentious and contentious antitrust issues, including those relating to M&A transactions, cartels and unilateral behaviour.
Learn more about this teamView ranking table

International Trade - Japan

Band 1
Individual Editorial

Kozo Kawai focuses on anti-dumping investigations, often representing Japanese government bodies and local industries as petitioners or targets of foreign investigations. He also handles matters pertaining to export tariffs and sanctions.

Learn more about this teamView ranking table

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Mr Kawai possesses an extremely high level of expertise and experience in the field of antitrust law.

    Competition/AntitrustChambers Asia & Pacific

  • He is the lawyer I trust the most.

    Competition/AntitrustChambers Asia & Pacific

  • He is familiar with our business and can be expected to provide the highest level of service in a wide range of fields.

    International TradeChambers Asia & Pacific

  • His perspective is sought after because he brings both gravitas and clarity to issues that are often politically and legally complex.

    International TradeChambers Asia & Pacific

Ranked Individuals at Nishimura & Asahi (67)

Asia-Pacific Region

Japan

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