Since the U.S. legal system is substantially different from that of Japan, simply hiring an attorney who can speak Japanese is not sufficient to eliminate potential problems that can result from miscommunication or not understanding the perspective of a Japanese client doing business in the U.S. or an American client doing business with a Japanese company. The Japan Practice Area's attorneys and professional staff, including Mr. Nakao, not only speak English and Japanese, they also understand the concerns and key issue unique to Japanese companies.

Our Japan Practice Area attorneys also provides advice to American companies who are considering or doing business with Japanese companies. Since the Japan Practice draws from the substantial experience of attorneys in other departments of the firm, it is fully equipped for virtually any legal issue which may arise.

Additionally, our Japan Practice provides general consultation on matters related to day-to-day management of Japanese companies currently operating in the U.S., as well as labor law issues such as common labor disputes, labor union issues, workers' compensation, or discrimination claims.

Attorneys in the Japan Practice Area also represent Japanese-affiliated companies in the increasing number of litigations and arbitrations involving matters of distributorship agreement, Title 7 discrimination, joint ventures, confidentiality, and licensing. The Japan Practice Group also provides comprehensive immigration services -- various non-immigrant visas and immigrant visas -- to public companies, privately held corporations, and individuals. We also assist U.S. employees in obtaining non-immigrant visas to foreign countries including Japan, Brazil, Thailand, and China.

Yasushi Hasegawa, a paralegal, graduated from Keio University in Tokyo with an L.L.B. degree and worked for an international law firm specializing in intellectual property for five years. While he was primarily engaged in filing and maintaining domestic/international trademark applications, he also handled immigration, incorporation, various business licenses, maritime cargo claims and contracts. At Taft, he devotes himself to the Japanese clients’ immigration matters.

Sayuri Duff, a Japanese client coordinator, earned a B.A. degree in English Language from Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka. She was a professional translator for a large law firm in Osaka specializing in intellectual property, where she was engaged in the translation of official legal documents. Ms. Duff currently serves as Mr. Nakao’s primary assistant to provide extended services to Japanese clients.

Junko Crimmel, a Japanese client coordinator, graduated from Sophia University in Tokyo with a B.A. in Education. She worked for a U.S.-based consulting company in Tokyo with world-wide operations across North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, and she was in charge of administrative matter related to foreign associates from overseas including immigration process. With Taft, she supports a wide range of business from immigration matter to public relations.