Overview 業務概要
The Law Office of W. Asada is an Osaka-based law firm advising on Japanese manufacturing contracts, supply chain law, and cross-border disputes. We work with foreign companies doing business in Japan, and with Japanese manufacturers engaged in international transactions.
Attorney Wataru Asada began his legal career not in a law office, but on the floor — as a member of the legal department of a publicly listed Japanese manufacturer, where he reviewed and negotiated domestic and international contracts on a daily basis. He understands how Japanese manufacturers think, how their supply chains are structured, and where contractual risk concentrates. This background informs every piece of advice he provides.
Osaka is the commercial hub of western Japan and home to a dense concentration of manufacturers, component suppliers, and trading companies. Many cross-border disputes involving Japanese manufacturers are heard at the Osaka District Court. Whether you are a foreign company with a counterpart in the Osaka / Kansai region, or a Japanese manufacturer negotiating with overseas customers and suppliers, local counsel with deep manufacturing expertise makes a practical difference.
Contracts are only as strong as the advice behind them.
We bring manufacturing knowledge, legal precision, and Osaka presence to every matter.
Experience 主な取扱案件
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[Jurisdictional Challenge — Osaka District Court] Represented a foreign party in civil litigation before Japanese courts. Successfully argued lack of jurisdiction, securing a dismissal at first instance and a favorable settlement on appeal.
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[English Supply Agreements — Force Majeure and Quality Warranty Clauses] Drafted and reviewed English-language OEM manufacturing agreements, master supply agreements, and spot purchase contracts. Provided practical advice on force majeure coverage, quality warranty scope, and liability allocation drawing on in-house manufacturing experience.
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[Distribution Agreement — Competition Law and Termination Risk] Drafted and negotiated an exclusive distributorship agreement for overseas markets. Advised on antitrust issues including resale price maintenance and territorial restrictions, and on legal risk associated with contract termination, in coordination with foreign counsel.
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[Cross-Border Secured Transaction — UCC Article 9 Filing] Assisted a Japanese manufacturer in perfecting a security interest over inventory held by its foreign subsidiary under UCC Article 9. Coordinated with U.S. counsel to structure and register the cross-border security arrangement.
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[Product Liability Defense — Technical Evidence and Early Resolution] Represented a machinery manufacturer in a product liability claim alleging design and manufacturing defects. Led an evidentiary testing process to rebut the defect allegation and obtained an early favorable judgment.
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[English NDA and Technology Licensing] Drafted English-language NDAs, technology license agreements, and IoT service terms. Structured IP ownership and license scope to protect proprietary know-how while enabling practical operational use by counterparties.
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[Legal Opinion for Foreign Counterparty] Prepared an English-language legal opinion on Japanese law for use in cross-border negotiations. Provided analysis of governing law, enforceability, and relevant regulatory requirements to support informed decision-making by foreign counsel and their client.
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[Consular Notarization and Overseas Entity Setup] Handled document notarization at Asian consulates-general, drafted English-language internal corporate documents, and reviewed commercial lease agreements. Supported multiple aspects of overseas operations from initial setup through ongoing administration.
Scope of Practice 提供サービス
English Contract Review & Drafting
英文契約書の審査・作成
We review and draft English-language contracts with the precision that international transactions demand. Our manufacturing background means we read supply agreements, OEM contracts, and quality warranty clauses the way an in-house lawyer does — not just for legal form, but for operational risk.
- Supply agreements, OEM / manufacturing contracts, purchase orders
- NDA, technology license, and joint development agreements
- Detailed risk analysis and counter-proposal drafting on counterparty-submitted drafts
- Force majeure, limitation of liability, and governing law clause review
Manufacturing & Supply Chain Law
製造・サプライチェーン法務
Japanese supply chain contracts have their own structure, vocabulary, and risk profile. We advise foreign companies on the legal framework governing relationships with Japanese manufacturers and component suppliers — from initial contract negotiation through dispute resolution.
- Review and advice on Japanese-law governed supply contracts
- Subcontracting Act (取適法 / 旧下請法) compliance and dispute strategy
- Product liability defense and quality claim management
- Supply chain disruption — force majeure, hardship, and contract adjustment
Distribution & Market Entry
代理店・販売店・市場参入
Entering the Japanese market — or expanding from Japan into overseas markets — requires distributor and agency agreements that protect your position over the long term. We structure these arrangements with termination risk, competition law, and IP protection in mind from the outset.
- Exclusive and non-exclusive distributorship agreement drafting and negotiation
- Competition law review (territorial restrictions, resale price maintenance)
- Preparation for contract termination and transition planning
- Consular notarization and overseas entity documentation
Cross-Border Disputes & Litigation
国際紛争・大阪での訴訟対応
When a dispute involves a Japanese counterparty or Japanese governing law, local Osaka counsel matters. We represent foreign parties in litigation before the Osaka District Court, advise on jurisdictional strategy, and coordinate with foreign counsel on cross-border enforcement.
- Representation of foreign parties in Osaka District Court proceedings
- Jurisdictional challenges and governing law strategy
- Contract breach, quality claims, and supply chain dispute resolution
- Coordination with foreign counsel on cross-border matters
Attorney Profile 弁護士紹介
Wataru Asada 浅田 渉
Attorney at Law (Japan) — Osaka Bar Association (2014–)
The Law Office of W. Asada (浅田総合法律事務所), Osaka
Before entering legal practice, Wataru Asada spent three years in the legal department of a publicly listed Japanese manufacturer, where he handled domestic and international contracts on a day-to-day basis. He has since practiced as a licensed attorney in Osaka, advising on manufacturing law, English contracts, and cross-border matters.
His in-house experience means he understands how Japanese manufacturers and their counterparties actually work — the pressure to close deals quickly, the reluctance to escalate, and the moments when legal precision matters most. He brings that practical perspective to every matter he handles.
Education
Waseda University, Faculty of Law, LL.B. (2003)
Osaka University Law School, J.D. (2012)
Fee Schedule 費用
顧問契約
Ongoing legal support covering English contract review and drafting, Japanese supply chain law advice, and general legal consultation. Sharing your business context enables consistent, proactive risk management rather than one-off responses.
- Communication via email, phone, or video conference (Zoom / Teams)
- Annual allocation of 24 hours of attorney time. Overages billed at ¥30,000/hour (excl. tax) for advisory clients
- Litigation and project-based matters billed separately
- Invoice and prior month work log delivered by the 10th of each month
- Auto-renewing annually; cancellable at month-end with notice. Turnaround generally per your schedule.
- Services commence upon execution of the advisory agreement
スポット契約
For single-matter engagements — contract review, drafting, dispute support, or legal opinion. A fixed fee is agreed in advance based on the scope and estimated time required. No charge for initial estimate.
- Time charge basis (hourly rate × estimated hours, agreed upfront)
- Project fee basis (fixed fee for defined scope)
- First-time clients: ¥25,000/hour (excl. tax)
- Estimate provided free of charge before engagement commences
Flow ご相談の流れ
Advisory Contract
(Ongoing legal support)
Send an inquiry via the contact form or by email, indicating that you are considering an advisory arrangement. We respond within 24 hours as a rule.
We discuss your business, your legal needs, and the most appropriate support structure. The initial consultation and estimate are provided at no charge.
Once terms are agreed, we execute a legal advisory agreement.
Priority-lane access for contract review, legal advice, and ongoing support from day one.
Spot Engagement
(Single matter / contract review)
Send a brief description of the matter (type of contract, counterparty jurisdiction, deadline, etc.) via the contact form or email.
We clarify the scope, propose an approach, and provide a fixed-fee estimate. No charge at this stage.
Upon agreement, we commence work promptly.
Deliverable (reviewed contract, legal opinion, etc.) provided together with invoice.
Payment by bank transfer. Matter closes on receipt.
CONTACT お問い合わせ
If you have a contract to review, a dispute involving a Japanese counterparty,
or questions about Japanese manufacturing law — we are here to help.
Contract review estimates are provided free of charge.
Please send us the contract and a brief description of your situation,
and we will respond within 24 hours as a rule.
All inquiries are handled directly by Attorney Wataru Asada.
Primary communication is by email; video conference (Zoom / Teams) is available.
Contract review estimates at no charge
Direct reply from the attorney
Kitahama / Yodoyabashi — remote available
The Law Office of W. Asada (浅田総合法律事務所)
Nihon Bunka Kaikan Building 5F, 2-1-23 Kitahama, Chuo-ku, Osaka 541-0041, Japan
Tel: +81-6-6222-8120 (Weekdays 9:30–17:30 JST) | inf[at]walaw.jp