About Us
Hiratsuka & Co. is a Tokyo law firm providing a full range of domestic and cross-border Japanese legal services.
We are known for our clear and sensible advice, which is supported by our wealth of
experience, thorough research and commitment to providing the highest standards of
protection for the rights and interests of our clients.
Since being founded in 1976, we have been instructed by corporations and individuals from all around the globe, including but not limited to Japan, U.K., U.S., France, Germany,
Switzerland, Norway, Greece, Russia, Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Brazil and Argentine.
The Legal 500 Asia Pacific consistently rank us in the top tier of Shipping
– Independent Local Firms, Japan.
Our Practice
Our services cover the whole spectrum of Japanese law,
with particular focus on Shipping, Insurance/Reinsurance, International Trade, International Litigation/Arbitration.
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Shipping
- We are renowned for our expertise in both “wet” and “dry”
shipping, having advised on various high-profile cases some of which attracted much media scrutiny.
Our work in this field covers collisions, fires, groundings,
pollution, salvage, general average, damage to marine facilities, bills of lading and sea waybills, charterparties, contracts of
affreightment, ship management, shipbuilding, sale and purchase of ships, towage and pilotage, marine labour contracts, marine insurance, ship arrests and releases, administrative regulations, criminal procedures, etc.
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Insurance/Reinsurance
- We handle various types of insurance, typical and non-typical, and have advised both insurer (reinsurer) and insured
(reinsured) on matters such as fire insurance, earthquake
insurance, liability insurance, erection insurance, satellite
insurance. We also regularly provide advice on Japanese
insurance regulations and assist non-Japanese companies to obtain insurance licenses in Japan.
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International Trade
- We provide contract review services for cross-border contracts involving Japan, including sale and purchase contracts,
distributorship agreements, agency agreements, investment
agreements, loan agreements, guarantees, labour contracts etc.
We also provide advice regarding potential contractual disputes, such as preservation of evidence and pre-dispute negotiations.
In view of the fast pace of today’s business environment,
we always work to provide quick and timely advice.
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International Litigation
/Arbitration
- Although we have represented various clients in Japanese
litigations and arbitrations, we are particularly known for
welcoming non-Japanese clients’ claim against Japanese entities.
We believe that litigation provides the basis for both contentious and non-contentious legal skills, and have focused on honing our skills in this department from our establishment.
Our service expands to provisional disposition before filing suits, execution of judgments and representing clients in solvency/
administrative proceedings.
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Others
- We provide advice on the law and regulations regarding corporate matters, labour affairs, tax, intellectual property, competition/anti-trust, foreign exchange, state redress and other matters.