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Professional

Hajime Watanabe

渡邊肇

Bar Admissions

Admitted in Japan, 1987; Illinois (Foreign Legal Consultant), 1994; New York, 1995
Daini Tokyo Bar Association
Chicago Bar Association
New York State Bar Association
American Bar Association
Director of The Licensing Executives Society Japan
American Intellectual Property Law Association

Background

The University of Tokyo (LL.B.), 1985
Admitted in Japan, 1987, Daini Tokyo Bar Association
Joined Mori Sogo (currently, Mori Hamada & Matsumoto), 1987
University of Illinois, College of Law (LL.M.), 1993
Jenner & Block, Chicago, Illinois, 1993-1995
Admitted in Illinois (Foreign Legal Consultant), 1994, Chicago Bar Association
Admitted in New York, 1995, New York State Bar Association
The Federal Trade Commission of The United States, Washington, D.C., 1995
Lecturer of International Transaction Laws at Tokai University, 1996-1998
Established STW & Partners (currently, SHIOMIZAKA), 2007
Established WATANABE & SHIMIZU, January 2022
Judicial Commissioner, The Tokyo Summary Court, January 2026-
Established WSGO LAW, July 2026

Outside Directors and Board Members

Audit & Supervisory Board Member, SEIKO PMC CORPORATION (Currently, CHEMIPAZ CORPORATION), June 2007 – March 2019
Audit & Supervisory Board Member, FURYU Corporation, June 2009 – June 2019
Audit & Supervisory Board Member, Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd., June 2013- June 2025
Auditor, parkrun Japan, April 2019 – June 2020
Independent Outside Director, Member of the Board, Hitachi Transport System, Ltd., June 2020 – February 2023
Member of the Special Committee, Hitachi Transport System, Ltd., May 2021 – October 2022
Director, Tokyo Niigata Kenjin Kai, June 2022 –
Audit & Supervisory Board Member, Logisteed, Ltd., April 2023 – February 2024
Vice President, Tokyo Niigata Kenjin Kai, June 2024 –
Special Advisor, Meiji Holdings Co., Ltd., June 2025-
Independent Outside Director, Member of the Board, Member of the Audit and Advisory Committee, SENSYN ROBOTICS, Inc., August 2026-

Professional Experiences

Hajime Watanabe is the founder of WSGO LAW, established in July 2026. Before founding WSGO LAW, he co-founded WATANABE & SHIMIZU in 2022, and prior to that, SHIOMIZAKA (formerly STW & Partners) in 2007, with a group of former partners of Mori Hamada & Matsumoto, the latter which he joined in 1987.

Hajime has over 38 years practicing as a litigator in both Tokyo and the U.S. In the U.S., he worked at Jenner & Block, Chicago, from 1993-1995, followed by working at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) in Washington, D.C. He is admitted to the bar in Japan and New York. He is also admitted as a foreign consultant in Illinois.

One of Hajime’s areas of expertise is international dispute resolution including litigation, arbitration, mediation, and other ADR, especially disputes involving laws of Japan and the U.S., which requires deep knowledge, experience, and familiarity with the legal systems and litigation procedures, as well as an appreciation of the differences in culture and negotiation style, of both countries. He garnered such experience from his time in both private practice in Tokyo, and Chicago, as well as regulatory experience at the FTC.

Litigation: As a litigator with over 39 years of experience, Hajime has been involved in various types of litigation including derivative action, breach of contract, tortious conduct cases involving companies and/or employees who allegedly engaged in misconduct in violation of law such as securities law and anti-corruption law. He has vast experience assisting foreign companies in their Japan-based litigation, serving as local counsel and liaising with the client’s global headquarters.

Intellectual Property: He is also a specialist in intellectual property law with vast experience, in particular, in infringement matters of patents, trademarks, copyrights as well as invalidation maters in both Japan and the U.S. representing multinational companies in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices painting materials, semiconductors, material handling systems, bio chemical products, optical equipment, wireless communication equipment and others.

Government Investigations: Hajime has broad experience in representing companies and executives in global government-facing investigations involving antitrust violation (e.g., international cartel) and anti-corruption where defending clients against both criminal and civil sanctions is required simultaneously in Japan, U.S., Europe and Asia. The representation includes negotiations with the enforcement organizations (e.g., the U.S. Department of Justice) for avoiding any criminal sanction, defense work for executives against extradition procedure and litigating against class actions. In this area, Hajime has represented clients in industries such as thermal paper, automotive parts, marine hose, semiconductors, capacitors, international transportation services and others.

Corporate Governance: Hajime has been engaged in matters related to corporate affairs for many years both as a corporate lawyer and as outside directors and members of audit and supervisory boards. Drawing on that dual perspective, he advises companies on corporate law issues by reconciling the differing approaches that arise from the distinct positions and roles of the company and its executives, and by proposing the solution carrying the least risk for both the company and its management side — a form of consulting that has not traditionally been offered by lawyers.

Hajime graduated from the University of Tokyo (LL.B) and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Law (LL.M).

Publications

“What You Should Learn before Taking Office as Outside Director — its Duties and Liabilities — (1-25)” Shojihomu Portal website, 2017-2018
“Recent Trends in the Enforcement of the Antitrust Laws by the U.S. DOJ” Fair Trade No. 782, Fair Trade Institute, 2015
“The Defense Practice for the Enforcement of the U.S. Antitrust Laws” (2nd ed.) Shojihomu Co., Ltd., 2015
“Trade secret law: guidelines revised” IAM Yearbook 2016, Globe Business Media Group, 2015 (Co-Author)
“Experience at the Federal Trade Commission” Fair Trade No. 768, Fair Trade Institute, 2014
“Current State of and Defense Practice for Enforcement of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in the U.S. – in comparison with Antitrust Laws” NBL No. 1022, Shojihomu Co., Ltd., 2014
“Review on Apple vs Samsung Patent Lawsuit” NBL No. 1018, Shojihomu Co., Ltd., 2014
“Enforcement of Antitrust law in the United States and practical considerations for entering into a plea agreement with the DOJ” NBL No. 990, Shojihomu Co., Ltd., 2012
“Very Basic Aspects of Business Law Practice – IP Law” Business Homu, Chuokeizai-Sha, Inc., December 2011
“Very Basic Aspects of Business Law Practice – IP Law” Business Homu, Chuokeizai-Sha, Inc., October 2011
“Practice on the Enforcement of the Antitrust Laws by the U.S. Department of Justice” Fair Trade No. 719, Fair Trade Institute, 2010
“The Defense Practice for the Enforcement of the U.S. Antitrust Laws” Shojihomu Co., Ltd., 2009
“License Business Practice (Practice in Intellectual Property No. 7)” Chuokeizai-Sha, Inc., 2009
“The Relationship between the Judgment Invalidating Patent Claims at an Appellate Court of Patent Infringement Lawsuit and the Decision of Correcting the Claims Rendered after the Judgment” Bimonthly Journal of A.I.P.P.I. Vol. 33 No. 6, 2008 (Co-Author)
“Theory and Practice of Patent Infringement Litigation in the United States” Theory and Practice of Intellectual Property Laws, Shinnippon-Hoki Publishing Co., Ltd., 2007
“Enactment of Law Concerning the Application of Laws in General and Its Influence in Practice” LEXIS Kigyo-Homu, LexisNexis Japan Co., Ltd., 2006
“Patent Infringement Litigation (Practice in Intellectual Property No. 6)” Chuokeizai-Sha, Inc., 2003 (Co-Author)
“Internet Laws 4th Edition” Japan Institute of Business Law, 2003 (Co-Author)
“Domain Name Dispute, the Recent Cases (Sony Bank Decision)” Business Homu, Chuokeizai-Sha, Inc., May 2002
“Impact of Violation of the U.S. Antitrust Law by Japanese Corporations” Audit & Supervisory Board Members No. 459, Japan Audit & Supervisory Board Members Association, 2002
“Patent Law and Utility Model Law (Practice in Intellectual Property No. 1)” Chuokeizai-Sha, Inc., 2002 (Co-Author)
“Recent Situation Relating to the Extraterritorial Application of the U.S. Antitrust Law and its Background” Commercial Law Review Nos. 1484 and 1486, Japan Institute of Business Law, 1998
“Extraterritorial Application of Sherman Act on Criminal Penalty” Commercial Law Review No. 1481, Japan Institute of Business Law, 1998
“Extraterritorial Application of the U.S. Antitrust Law on Price Fixings in Japan” Commercial Law Review No. 1457, Japan Institute of Business Law, 1997
“Participation in a Board Meeting by an Interested Chairman” Commercial Law Review No. 1447, Japan Institute of Business Law, 1997
“The New Product Liability Act in the United States” NBL No. 573, Shojihomu Co., Ltd., 1995
“A New Joint Venture Vehicle for Japanese Investment in the U.S.: The Limited Liability Company” Commercial Law Review Nos. 1391 and 1392, Japan Institute of Business Law, 1995 (Co-Author)
“Opinion on the Delaware Supreme Court on Paramount v. Time-Warner Case” Commercial Law Review No. 1214, Japan Institute of Business Law, 1990
“Defense Tactics in M&A” edited by Mori Sogo Law Offices, Chuokeizai-Sha, Inc., 1990 (Co-Author)
“Failure of The Merger of UAL And The Legal Fees” Commercial Law Review No. 1203, Japan Institute of Business Law, 1989
“Decision of The Delaware Supreme Court on Rights of Shareholders” Commercial Law Review No. 1195, Japan Institute of Business Law, 1989
“Handling of Insider Trading Regulations” Shoji-Homu (Data Book) No. 56, Shojihomu Co., Ltd., 1988
“Insider Trading Regulations and Legal Services” Jurist No. 920, Yuhikaku Publishing Co., Ltd., 1988

Seminars

“Summary and evaluation of risk occurred by violations of US antitrust laws” Financial Facsimile News, August 26, 2011
“IP Litigation: Global Best Practices (A Conference of ABA Annual Meeting)” American Bar Association, August 9, 2008
“California International Arbitration Conference” California Bar Association, February 28, 2008
“IP Trends in the United States: Current State of IP Case Law, Patent Reform and Patent Valuation” Intellectual Property Association of Japan, June 17, 2006

Major Awards

Recommended by Chambers Asia-Pacific as Leading Individual in the sector of Intellectual Property for ten consecutive years (2010-2019).
Recommended by Chambers Global as Leading Individual in the sector of Intellectual Property for six consecutive years (2014-2019).
Named as one of the most highly regarded experts in the area of intellectual property by Who’s Who Legal for two consecutive years (2023-2024).
Named as one of the most highly regarded experts in the area of patent law by Who’s Who Legal for eight consecutive years (2014-2021).
Named as one of the most highly regarded experts in the area of intellectual property by Who’s Who Legal: Japan for eight consecutive years (2014-2021).
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2027 in the fields of Antitrust / Competition Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice, Criminal Defense, Intellectual Property Law and Patent Law.
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2026 in the fields of Antitrust / Competition Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice, Criminal Defense, Intellectual Property Law and Patent Law.
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2025 in the fields of Antitrust / Competition Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice, Criminal Defense, Intellectual Property Law and Patent Law.
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2024 in the fields of Antitrust / Competition Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice, Criminal Defense, Intellectual Property Law and Patent Law.
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2023 in the fields of Antitrust / Competition Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice, Criminal Defense, Intellectual Property Law and Patent Law.
Recognized by Best Lawyers for 13 consecutive years since 2009.
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in Japan 2022 in the fields of Antitrust / Competition Law, Corporate Governance and Compliance Practice, and Intellectual Property Law.
Named as one of the experts in the area of patents in Asia Pacific by LEGAL MEDIA GROUP.
Named as one of the 2018 Top 100 Lawyers by Legal Comprehensive.
Named as a leading lawyer in “Lawyer of the Year – Japan” in 2017 Golden Global Awards by Legal Comprehensive.
Named as a leading lawyer in “Lawyer of the Year-Antitrust & Competition” in the 2017 LawyerIssue awards by the LawyerIssue.
Recommended as a leading lawyer in Asialaw Profiles 2016.
Named as a leading lawyer in “Global Awards 2015” published by Corporate LiveWire.
Named to The Best Lawyers in Japan 2015 in the practice area of intellectual property.
Named as one of the leading lawyers in the area of litigation and patent law by Asia IP Expert 2015.
Selected as one of the most highly acclaimed legal experts in Japan for Dispute Resolution and Intellectual Property by Asialaw Leading Lawyers for six consecutive years (2013-2018).
Named as a leading lawyer in “ICFM 500 Leading Lawyer” published by the InterContinental Finance Magazine for three consecutive years (2013-2015).
Recommended by IAM Patent 1000 – The World’s Leading Patent Professioinals as Leading Individual for seven consecutive years (2012-2018).