Shipping
Japan
1 year ranked
LAWYER PROFILE
Makoto Hiratsuka
Asia-Pacific 2026
Ranked in 1 practice area
About
Provided by Hiratsuka & Co
Practice Areas
Maritime/Shipping, Insurance/Reinsurance, Litigation/Arbitration
Career
Makoto Hiratsuka is senior partner of Hiratsuka & Co. Since founding the law firm in 1976, he has handled a large number of cases in the fields of maritime, shipping and insurance laws for foreign (English, Russian, Chinese, Korean, Israeli, etc) clients as well as for Japanese clients. These include, but not limited to, collisions, fires, explosions, grounding, charterparty disputes, cargo claims, disputes between insurers and reinsurers cases. On a number of occasions, he has provided expert advices on the position under Japanese law with respect to cases pending before foreign courts/arbitration tribunals.
Professional Memberships
The Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association, Private International Law Association of Japan, Japanese Maritime Law Association, International Academy of Trial Lawyers
Education
The University of Tokyo
Faculty of Law, LL.B.
1959 - 1964
University of London, U.C.L., Graduate School
Diploma in Shipping Law
1971 - 1972
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Chambers Asia & Pacific
Shipping - Japan
Spotlight
Individual Editorial
Makoto Hiratsuka is an esteemed practitioner with decades of experience and a recognised leader in shipping and maritime law in Japan. He is particularly noted for his work for insurers and foreign ship owners.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Makoto Hiratsuka is a trusted partner for insurers and foreign ship owners.
ShippingChambers Asia & Pacific
Ranked Individuals at Hiratsuka & Co (2)
Japan
Makoto Hiratsuka
Shipping
View profile 
Shinichiro Yamashita
Shipping
View profile
What success is built on
Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.