Patent and Design Group

Tomoko TSUJITA Patent attorney/Director General

Licenses/ Certificates	Patent attorney, specific infringement lawsuit counsel
Areas of Expertise	Patents: chemistry, medicine, biotechnology, cosmetics, food products, organic materials, high-polymer materials, medical equipment, diagnostic devices, software, business models, etc. Licensing negotiations, patent dispute resolution (settlement negotiations, court settlements), intellectual property training

Career	2005 Registered as a patent attorney 2005 – 2010 Patent firm (Tokyo) 2010 Founded Minato Mirai Patent Firm 2010 – Present Minato Mirai Patent Firm
Education	Bachelor of Science, majoring in biology (Ochanomizu University, Tokyo, Japan)
Affiliations	Japan Patent Attorneys Association Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) Association Internationale pour la Protection de la Propriété Intellectuelle (AIPPI) International Trademark Association (INTA) Japan Foods & Biotechnology Intellectual Property Rights Center
Lecturer	2011 Yokohama Bio Now “Corporate Patent Strategy” 2011 Seminar on Trademarks for SME Entrepreneurs 2012 Yokohama Morning Business Seminar “Corporate Patent Strategy” 2012–2013 Regional Branding Seminar, Itoshima City, Fukuoka Prefecture 2013, 2016, 2019 Part-time lecturer at Ochanomizu University
Hobbies	Although I used to play the guitar and practice yoga, I have recently been focusing on work too much to enjoy those hobbies (I enjoy my work the most). If I had free time, I would like to try some gardening, hone my cooking skills to welcome guests, and learn about wines.
Message	As I majored in biotechnology at university, I have so far specialized in applying for patents in the fields of chemistry and biotechnology, such as for medicine, cosmetics, and food products inside and outside Japan as well as solving disputes, including infringement lawsuits. Since establishing Minato Mirai Patent Firm, I have expanded beyond my original fields of expertise, working on domestic and overseas applications to register patents for application software with many IT companies, as well as in contract negotiations and intellectual property consulting. In recent years, I have worked for projects where organizations of different sizes and with different purposes—including startups, large enterprises, and universities—cooperate with one another in developing products and/or creating brands. I have supported the members of these projects to negotiate contracts together, as well as in building revenue models including licensing. In my job, I make sure to propose intellectual property strategies that best suit the client’s scale, industry, and business stage. I help people in managerial roles make appropriate decisions by sharing their visions for business and seeing things from their perspective. After turning 40, the halfway point of my life, my current objective is to implement the necessary initiatives for building Japan as a true global power in intellectual property through activities that teach children about the value and importance of protecting intellectual properties.

Contact/consult our patent attorneys/staff

Kimito TANAKA

Licenses/ Certificates	Marine Engineer
Areas of Expertise	Patents: automobiles, motorcycles, medical equipment, ship equipment, construction and civil engineering, machinery in general, pachinko and slot machines, semiconductor devices, semiconductor manufacturing, electrical equipment, electronic control systems, car navigation systems, telecommunications in general, information processing in general

Career	– 2011 Patent firm (Tokyo) 2011 – Present Minatomirai Patent Office
Education	National Maritime College, Nautical Department Tokyo Institute of Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Specialized Department of Electrical Engineering
Hobbies	Fishing, golf
Message	We propose intellectual property strategies to unlock your future.

Daisuke MURAMATSU Patent attorney/Group Manager

Licenses/ Certificates	Patent attorney, specific infringement lawsuit counsel, Ph.D. in Biostudies
Areas of Expertise	Pharmaceuticals, regenerative medicine, cells, proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, antibodies, genetic engineering, PCR, next-generation sequencing, DNA identification, bioinformatics, mass spectrometry, immunoassay, agricultural science, cosmetics, food.

Career	2011 – 2013 Junior research associate at Riken 2013 – Present Minato Mirai Patent Firm 2014 Registered as a patent attorney 2017 Registered to represent clients in specific infringement litigation 2018 Vice-Chairman of the Patent Committee, Japan Food and Biotechnology Intellectual Property Centre 2021 – Present Member of the Biotechnology and Life Sciences Committee of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association 2022 Vice-Chairman of the Biotechnology and Life Sciences Committee of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (Chairman of Section 1) 　　 Member of the Patent Office’s Trial Practitioners’ Study Group 2023 Vice-Chairman of the Biotechnology and Life Sciences Committee of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (Chairman of Section 6)
Education	Ph.D. in Biostudies (Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan)
Hobbies	Walking my dog
Message	I have supported a wide range of clients, from startups to major corporations, primarily in the fields of chemistry and biotechnology, in securing their intellectual property rights. Additionally, I’ve gained experience in various aspects of intellectual property, including supporting dispute resolutions in the pharmaceutical field such as infringement lawsuits and invalidation trials, assisting with licensing agreements, and evaluating intellectual property value. Intellectual property strategy must align with business and research and development strategies. Therefore, I believe it’s crucial to deepen our understanding of our client’s business in every project we undertake. By maintaining close communication, I am committed to doing my utmost to realize your desires within the intricate framework of the intellectual property system.

Takuya KUSHIDA Team Manager

Licenses/ Certificates	Applied Information Technology Engineer
Areas of Expertise	Computer software, apps, business-related inventions (business model patents), information and communication systems, blockchain, NFT, machine learning, AI, neural networks, electronic devices

Career	2013 – Present Minato Mirai Patent Firm
Education	Bachelor of Management Engineering, Department of Systems Engineering, School of Electro-Communications (The University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, Japan)
Hobbies	Reading, playing musical instruments, watching movies
Message	I have extensive experience in filing patents, particularly in the realms of software inventions and business-related innovations. Additionally, I excel at identifying patent-worthy themes by analyzing products and services and transforming those insights into patent applications. Especially for those considering their first patent application, I understand there may be many concerns. Rest assured, I will provide clear explanations and support every step of the way. Please don’t hesitate to consult with us. We are dedicated to working alongside you to address and resolve any concerns you may have.

Takuo SUGIYAMA Team Manager

Areas of Expertise	Patents: organic synthetic chemistry, natural product synthesis, chemical substance measurement & quantification techniques, material property evaluation techniques, lighting technologies, food & feed manufacturing techniques, industrial product manufacturing methods, waste management/recycling technologies, cleaning techniques, high-value-added products in general, niche technology areas in general Designs: food shapes, crafts & handmade items (especially leather products, woodworking), daily necessities (especially packaging containers, non-woven fabric products), outdoor goods (especially camping gear, scuba diving equipment), industrial products (particularly lighting equipment, lighting accessories)

Areas of
Expertise

Patents: organic synthetic chemistry, natural product synthesis, chemical substance measurement & quantification techniques, material property evaluation techniques, lighting technologies, food & feed manufacturing techniques, industrial product manufacturing methods, waste management/recycling technologies, cleaning techniques, high-value-added products in general, niche technology areas in general

Designs: food shapes, crafts & handmade items (especially leather products, woodworking), daily necessities (especially packaging containers, non-woven fabric products), outdoor goods (especially camping gear, scuba diving equipment), industrial products (particularly lighting equipment, lighting accessories)

Career	2016 – Present Minato Mirai Patent Firm
Education	Bachelor of Biological Process Engineering, Department of Biological Engineering, School of Life Science and Technology (Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan) Master of Biological Process Engineering, Graduate School of Life Science and Technology (Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan)
Hobbies	Playing poker, stage lighting, leather crafting, coffee
Message	I primarily take on the responsibility of formulating intellectual property strategies and supporting the acquisition of rights for companies that excel in niche fields and those with globally competitive technologies. I view the potential of intellectual property as a means to ‘slightly alter the rules of the industry’. I provide services like suggesting rights acquisitions without overly generalizing proprietary technologies and offering advice considering the publicizing function of the acquired patent rights. I invite you to discuss your inventions with us. I am eager to support you in gaining opportunities to share your invention with a wider audience.

Ryuji HASEGAWA Patent attorney/Team Leader

Licenses/ Certificates	Patent attorney
Areas of Expertise	Control systems, various applications, business models, AI-related inventions, blockchain, digital data processing, image processing, electronic devices, telecommunications technology

Career	2014 – 2021 Patent firm 2021 – Present Minato Mirai Patent Firm
Education	Master of Iwate University
Message	I place great importance on thorough communication to realize the patent rights our clients desire. I make it a point to genuinely listen to our clients, to accurately understand both their business and the specifics of their invention, and to approach their needs with flexibility. While patents are a mainstay, I also welcome questions regarding other forms of intellectual property. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Katsuya ZAMA Team Leader, Project Leader

Areas of Expertise	Chemistry, low molecular weight materials, polymer materials, food, cosmetics, medical devices

Education	Bachelor of Engineering, Faculty of Science and Engineering (Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan). Master of Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Engineering (Chuo University, Tokyo, Japan).
Hobbies	Playing with my cat
Message	I have primarily focused on work related to food and cosmetics within the realms of chemistry and biology. Particularly, with a background in researching surfactants, I am confident in my knowledge and understanding of these subjects. In the field of chemistry, the scope of rights can vary significantly depending on how the specification is written during the patent application process. We continuously strive to enhance our expertise to ensure that our clients’ inventions are protected with the broadest and most effective rights possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out.

Hiroki ISHIKAWA Team Leader

Areas of Expertise	General machinery, soft materials, eco-friendly materials, mechanical materials, machining, metalworking, material strength, material structure, mechanical CAD

Career	2016 – Present Minato Mirai Patent Office
Education	Master of Environmental Information Sciences, Graduate School of Environment and Information Sciences (Yokohama National University, Kanagawa, Japan)
Hobbies	Walking, cooking, playing usical instruments
Message	I have experience handling a wide range of cases, from complex machinery comprising numerous units to items with simple structures akin to everyday products. Additionally, I have a robust track record in dealing with international cases, backed by a strong network with local entities abroad. My particular emphasis lies in conveying inventions clearly and comprehensibly — I prioritize creating meticulous illustrations and constructing lucid texts. Committed to staying informed, I aim to address every invention with flexibility, ensuring each case is approached with genuine dedication, seeking satisfaction and appreciation from our clients.

Erika KUBO Patent attorney/Section Chief

Licenses/ Certificates	Patent attorney,TOEIC score: 790
Areas of Expertise	Food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, genetic engineering, health tech, biotech.

Career	2018 – Present Minato Mirai Patent Firm
Education	Master of Science, majoring in chemical sciences and chemistry (Tokyo University of Science, Tokyo, Japan)
Hobbies	Reading
Message	I have extensive experience across various fields, including the food industry, cosmetics, health tech, and biotech. I am eager to collaborate with you in securing a right, so please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Mio WASHIZUKA Patent attorney/Chief

Licenses/ Certificates	Patent attorney
Areas of Expertise	Cosmetics, food, agriculture (cultivation methods, fertilizers), plant breeding, tissue culture (especially for plants), genetic modification techniques, biotechnology, general biology and chemistry

Career	2019 – Present Minato Mirai Patent Firm
Education	Master of Biological Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences (University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan).
Hobbies	Domestic travel (visiting hot springs and historical temples and shrines), gardening (recent trends: succulents and cultivating blueberries)
Message	With a background in researching plant gene expression mechanisms using genetic engineering techniques, I am now involved in a wide range of fields within the chemical and biological sectors. Valuing communication with our clients, I strive to provide proposals that meet your satisfaction. Please feel free to reach out.

Koki KONISHIKAWA Patent attorney/Chief

Licenses/ Certificates	Patent attorney, Weather Forecaster, Environmental Measurer (Concentration-related)
Areas of Expertise	Daily necessities, camping gear, containers, clothing, marine fittings, fishing equipment, marine engines, fluid control, 3D printing technology, meteorological measurement equipment, analytical instruments

Career	2020 – Present Minatomirai Patent Office
Education	Master of Marine Science and Technology, Graduate School of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
Hobbies	3D printing, tofu making
Message	With a background in researching plant gene expression mechanisms using genetic engineering techniques, I am now involved in a wide range of fields within the chemical and biological sectors. Valuing communication with our clients, I strive to provide proposals that meet your satisfaction. Please feel free to reach out.

Ayumi YOSHIOKA Chief

Licenses/ Certificates	2nd grade Certified Specialist of Intellectual Property Management（administration）,Applied Information Technology Engineer
Areas of Expertise	Electrical equipment (such as electrical circuits), electronic control (such as electronic circuits), general information processing, applications, business models, modeling, programming, bioinformatics, chronobiology, electromagnetism, biomedical engineering

Education	Bachelor of Medical Bioengineering, Department of Integrated Studies in Information and Knowledge Systems, Faculty of Engineering (Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan) Master of Applied Information Sciences, Graduate School of Information Sciences (Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan)
Hobbies	Swimming
Message	I always keep in mind what constitutes a ‘good right’ for our clients and strive to make recommendations concerning patent acquisitions with that perspective. I pay close attention to even the smallest questions or specific requests from our clients, working diligently to secure rights that reflect their wishes. Please feel free to consult with us.

Ryosuke HONMURA Chief

Licenses/
Certificates

3rd grade Certified Specialist of Intellectual Property Management（administration）

Areas of
Expertise

Photonics (lasers, photonic crystals, photopolymer materials, etc.), business models (business support, finance, e-commerce, web applications, etc.), control systems (IoT, sensors, etc.), image recognition (inspection, object detection, etc.), machine learning (supervised learning, neural networks, etc.), language processing (large language models (LLM), natural language processing, dialogue systems, chatbot-related, etc.), business support software

Education	Bachelor of Electronic Physics Devices, Department of Electronic Materials Science, Faculty of Engineering (Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan) Master of Engineering, Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Major in Engineering (Shizuoka University, Shizuoka, Japan)
Hobbies	Motorcycle touring, Iaido (Japanese martial art of drawing the sword), making coffee
Message	When many people hear the term ‘patent acquisition,’ it often conjures up an image of complexity. While it’s true that the necessary documents and procedures can be intricate, the most crucial aspect of acquiring a patent is the ‘novelty of the invention’s idea’. Thus, even if it’s a simple idea, if it’s new, there’s a potential to obtain a patent. We provide kind and thorough support in articulating your invention’s idea and assisting with the procedural aspects. Even if it’s your first time, you can trust us with confidence. Please don’t hesitate to consult us.

Ayane KOYAMA Chief

Licenses/ Certificates	2nd grade Certified Specialist of Intellectual Property Management（administration）,Certified Hazardous Material Handling Supervisor
Areas of Expertise	Polymer chemistry (such as graft polymerization), food, cosmetics, musical instruments, musical instrument accessories

Hobbies	Listening to jazz, playing the piano, board games, mahjong
Message	With a background in polymer chemistry, I have primarily been responsible for patenting inventions related to food, cosmetics, and the like. Additionally, leveraging my passion for music, I’ve also had the privilege to handle patenting processes for musical instrument inventions. I am committed to utilizing my accumulated knowledge and experience to ensure that your valuable inventions are properly protected. Please trust us with your needs.

Taku YOSHIDA Chief

Licenses/ Certificates	3rd grade Certified Specialist of Intellectual Property Management（administration）
Areas of Expertise	Orthopedic devices, water purification equipment, exercise equipment, surveying instruments, nozzles, water control devices, toys, daily necessities, camping gear, fire extinguishers, information carriers, mechanical apparatus, biomaterials, semiconductors, clothing, nanostructures

Career	2021 – Present Minatomirai Patent Office
Education	Master of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Information Science, Graduate School of Information Science and Technology, Hokkaido University, Hokkaido, Japan.
Hobbies	Watching movies, listening to music, collecting CDs, playing musical instruments,casual cycling
Message	When hearing words like “patent” or “invention”, many might envision cutting-edge technologies or complex machinery. However, in reality, even modest enhancements to everyday items like clothing, cleaning products, cooking utensils, or exercise equipment can often be patentable. No idea is too small, so please don’t hesitate to reach out for a consultation.

Yoshiya OGAWA Chief

Licenses/ Certificates	2nd grade Certified Specialist of Intellectual Property Management（administration）
Areas of Expertise	Medical software, architectural software, business models (business management, matchmaking, etc.), web applications, AI technologies (machine learning, etc.), encryption techniques

Education	Master of Nagoya University
Hobbies	Shopping, tennis, karaoke, traveling
Message	Whether you’re a first-timer or have been through the process before, I always strive to offer clear and thorough explanations. I am continually honing my skills to provide better proposals. Additionally, I value listening to our clients’ feedback and am committed to working alongside you to achieve optimal rights acquisition. For any inquiries related to patents, please feel free to consult us.

Mao TOSHA

Licenses/ Certificates	3rd grade Certified Specialist of Intellectual Property Management（administration）,TOEIC score: 790
Areas of Expertise	Software (applications, etc.), business models, semiconductor materials (semiconductor lasers, etc.)

Message	Rather than simply securing rights, I always strive to offer tailored recommendations that align with our clients’ wishes to achieve the most suitable patents for them. I also place importance on providing suggestions that truly benefit your business circumstances. For any questions or concerns about patent applications, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Masashi KOGA

Areas of Expertise	Cosmochemistry (analysis of meteorites and meteorite simulants using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy), analytical chemistry (analysis using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy)

Career	2022 – Present Minato Mirai Patent Firm
Education	Master of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering (Yokohama National University, Kanagawa, Japan).
Hobbies	Bowling, darts, Rubik’s cube,comedy
Message	Drawing on specialized knowledge and experience, I am committed to continuous learning in order to offer our clients the best possible patent acquisition strategies. If you have any inquiries or questions regarding patent acquisition, no matter how minor, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Reoto MORITA

Licenses/ Certificates	TOEIC score: 815
Areas of Expertise	Computer science (automata, formal languages, computability theory, computational complexity theory, molecular computing)

Career	Szilard Zsolt Fazekas, Kohei Maruyama, Reoto Morita, and Shinnosuke Seki, On the power of oritatami cotranscriptional folding with unary bead sequence, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Theory and Applications of Models of Computation (TAMC 2019) LNCS 11436, 188-207. Szilard Zsolt Fazekas, Hwee Kim, Ryuichi Matsuoka, Reoto Morita, and Shinnosuke Seki, Linear bounds on the size of the conformations in greedy deterministic oritatami, International Journal of Foundations of Computer Science 32/ 5, 575-596 2021.
Education	Bachelor of Information and Communication Engineering, Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Faculty of Informatics and Engineering (The University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, Japan) Master of Information and Network Engineering, Graduate School of Informatics and Engineering, Major in Information and Network Engineering (The University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, Japan)
Hobbies	Shogi (Japanese chess)
Message	Drawing from my past research experiences, I’m committed to ensuring that our clients’ valuable inventions are protected in the most beneficial manner possible. If you’re considering a patent application, please don’t hesitate to consult with us.

Tomoya MIYASE

Areas of Expertise	Machinery (vehicles, production lines, electronic products), structures (architecture, daily goods, experimental equipment), physics (energy, semiconductors, quantum technology, fluid control, thermal management)

Career	2022 – Present Minatomirai Patent Office
Education	Master of Physics, Department of Physics, Graduate School of Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Hobbies	Taking walks, dining out, tabletop games, digital music production (DTM)
Message	Every invention inherently possesses its ‘essence’. Yet, even inventors themselves can sometimes overlook this core aspect. Our daily commitment is to discern the ‘essence’ of each invention and derive the most effective rights from it. Please consider reaching out to our office to discuss your invention.

Yuta TAKEDA

Licenses/ Certificates	Fundamental Information Technology Engineer,Advanced High School Teaching License (Mathematics),Junior High School Teaching License (Mathematics),Elementary School Teaching License
Areas of Expertise	Daily necessities, general goods, sports equipment, home appliances, teaching materials & tools, toys, information processing, automotive-related, mathematics-related (multivariable complex analysis, functional analysis, mathematical pedagogy)

Career	2023 – Present Minatomirai Patent Office
Education	Master of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Graduate School of Science, Osaka City University, Osaka, Japan.
Hobbies	Driving, traveling,table tennis
Message	I prioritize providing clear and meticulous explanations when it comes to complex patents. Additionally, I always strive for thorough yet swift responses. Having honed logical and abstract thinking skills through mathematics, I am wholeheartedly committed to supporting our clients in obtaining their patents. Please feel free to consult with us.

Introduction of staff by group

Click the name of a group to view a list of members.