Maritime
Although Japan is a maritime nation surrounded by the sea, there are relatively few law firms that can handle maritime cases. Disputes and incidents in the maritime sector can have serious consequences for a company’s reputation and the continuity of its business. Therefore, it is essential to prevent such issues whenever possible and, when an incident does occur, to respond swiftly and effectively.
Maritime cases require a high level of expertise in both legal analysis and practical response. In addition to Japanese domestic law, international conventions and foreign laws frequently apply, making specialized legal knowledge indispensable. Furthermore, maritime matters often require an understanding of non-legal technical fields, such as ship handling and operational practices. In the event of an accident, it is often necessary to address multiple issues simultaneously, including ship arrest, coordination with regulatory authorities, and preservation of evidence, all of which demand prompt and decisive action.
Our firm’s principal attorney has over ten years of experience at a law firm specializing in maritime law, handling a wide range of maritime matters. His experience includes maritime casualties such as vessel collisions, groundings, and oil pollution incidents; injuries to crew members and passengers; disputes involving Charter Parties and Bills of Lading; cargo damage claims; shipbuilding contracts; vessel sale and purchase contracts; vessel arrests; and maritime tribunal proceedings. He has experience handling a wide range of vessel types, including commercial vessels, fishing vessels, and pleasure boats. In addition, he holds several maritime related qualifications, including Marine Counselor, Marine Procedure Commission Agent, and Small Boat Operator License (1st class and PWC), which is required to operate a boat in Japan.
When matters require expertise in foreign law or maritime technical matters, we work in collaboration with overseas law firms and maritime professionals as a team to ensure the maximum protection of our clients’ interests.