Japan

For Japanese companies doing business in the United States, Alston & Bird is a critical resource—whether you’re expanding manufacturing facilities or entering into joint ventures, whether you’re registering patents or are concerned about data security, whether you’re facing tax issues or addressing customs and tariff matters. Steeped in the nuances of Japanese culture and business practices and, in many cases, fluent in the language, our attorneys work closely with both Japanese clients and their law firms and advisors to quickly get to the heart of the matter. We guide you through the intricacies of American contract law, environmental regulations, IP systems, tax, trade, and more. And we are actively engaged with legal and trade associations both in Japan and the United States that focus on U.S.-Japan matters. 

Japanese companies have relied on Alston & Bird for more than 30 years. For example, two decades ago, when several Japanese companies were looking to establish automotive and other manufacturing plants in America’s Southeast, they turned to Alston & Bird. Our relationships have only deepened in the years since. These have led to engagements with more companies—including those with U.S. operations going back to the 1950s—and provide our Japanese clients with an increasingly collaborative, multidisciplinary, firmwide approach to legal problem-solving connections that we are able to put to work for you.

• Advised a Japanese confectionary company in its disposition of a franchise in Japan through a transaction with the U.S.-based franchisor.
• Advised a Japanese manufacturer of automotive components and medical devices in the acquisition of a medical device startup company based in Silicon Valley.
• Advised a Japanese manufacturer of hydraulic excavators in its establishment of a manufacturing facility in Spartanburg, SC.
• Coordinated the internal investigation of a U.S. subsidiary of a Japanese consumer electronics company surrounding irregularities uncovered during an accounting audit.
• Advised a leading Japanese manufacturer in the strategic acquisition of a California-based architectural paint and coating manufacturer.
• Advised a Japanese manufacturer of dairy products, animal feed probiotics, and beverages in its establishment of a key manufacturing facility for animal feed additives in Georgia.
• Counsel to Japan-based toy, manufacturing, construction, and medical device companies, among others, on intellectual property matters.
• Obtained numerous unilateral and bilateral advance pricing agreements (APAs) involving the IRS and other tax authorities.
• Assisting clients on trade regulations during the coronavirus pandemic, including U.S. border cargo operations, tariff suspensions, import and related regulatory requirements for PPE and medical devices, and critical infrastructure status for manufacturing supply chains.
• Designed and led internal trade compliance reviews and international trade due diligence efforts in significant mergers, acquisitions, and investments.