[President]

Yoshikiyo Nishikawa

Mr. Nishikawa obtained a degree in chemistry from Kyoto Institute of Technology. Before joining Hokuto, he was a researcher at an enterprise for four years.
He was registered to practice before the Japan Patent Office and joined the firm (1981), and was qualified as a Patent Infringement Litigator before the Japanese Courts (2005). He has headed the firm since 1997.
Field Mr. Nishikawa actively handles many intellectual property rights. He also has extensive experience in preparing legal opinions, trials for invalidation, and infringement litigation. He specializes in the fields of chemistry, mechanics, structures, and daily necessities, and manages all aspects of patent, design, trademark, domestic application, foreign application, prosecution, and litigation, in Japan and foreign countries as well as unfair competition and licensing contracts.
Professional
Associations
He is a former member of council (1995-1996) and patent committee of the JPAA. He is also a member of the APAA, AIPPI, and JTA. He regularly presents lectures on patent issues at various companies, organizations, and industries.
Award He is awarded a commendation by the JPAA for distinguished contribution to the Association (1998).
  • *APPA, Asian Patent Attorneys Association
  • *AIPPI, International Association for the Protection of Intellectual Property
  • *JTA, Japan Trademark Association

Takeshi Sakaguchi

Education
Career
Master of Engineering in Electronic Engineering, Tohoku University
Worked as a researcher at a private organization for 6 years
Joined Hokuto in 2003
Qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2007
Qualified as a Patent Infringement Litigator in 2011
Joined the JPAA Patent Committee in 2015
Field Electricity , Electronics , Information Communication , Control Systems

Yasutsugu Tanaka

Education
Career

Bachelor of Law, Kwansei Gakuin University
Worked at a private company for 3 years
Joined Hokuto in 1992
Qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2004
Qualified as a Patent Infringement Litigator in 2008
Joined the JPAA Trademark Committee in 2015
Field Trademarks , Design , Unfair Competition , Licensing

Katsuhisa Mizujiri

Education
Career
Master of Engineering in Applied Chemistry, Osaka City University
Joined Hokuto in 1997
Qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2007
Field Inorganic Chemistry , Electrochemistry , Electronic materials

Makoto Tanimizu

Education

 

Career

Master of Science in Mathematics and Information Science, Osaka Prefecture University
Worked for a private company and another patent firm before Joining Hokuto in 2014
Qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2016
Field Electricity , Electronics , Information Communication , Computer Software

Yoshishige Takeo

Education
Career
Master of Science in Macromolecular Science, Osaka University
Worked as a researcher at a private company for 2 years
Joined Hokuto in 1999
Qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2005
Qualified as a Patent Infringement Litigator in 2009
Field Polymer chemistry , Organic chemistry , Biochemistry

Hiroo Ogawa

Education

Career

Master of Science in Organic Chemistry, Osaka University
Worked as a researcher at a private organization for 18 years.
From 2008, start working at Patent attorneys offices.
Joined Hokuto in 2020.
Qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2008
Field Organic chemistry, Polymer chemistry, Catalyst chemistry

Makoto Nakao

Education

Career

Master of Engineering in Materials Engineering, Tokyo University
Worked at a private organization and other Patent Attorneys Office before joining Hokuto in 2021.
Qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2012
Field Electricity, Electronics, Information Communication , Computer Software

Kazuki Nagahama

Education

Career

Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic Engineering, Kansai University
After working at other Patent Attorneys office, joined Hokuto in 2019.
Qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2019
Field Electricity, Electronics, Information Communication , Computer Software

Toru Ii

Education

 

Career

Master of Arts in English Studies(Literature), Kobe City University of Foreign Studies
After working at an educational institution, joined Hokuto in 2019.
Qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2023
Field Design, Trademarks, Unfair Competition, Licensing

Kaiki Hata

Education

Career

Master of Law in Law and Ploitics, Osaka University
Joined Hokuto in 2021.
Qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2021
Field Trademarks , Design , Unfair Competition , Licensing

[Councel]

Kazunori Yamagami

Mr. Yamagami graduated from Osaka University with an honors degree in Materials and Manufacturing Science and further gained a degree in Law from Chuo University. He also graduated with a Masters degree in Law from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
He has practiced law since 1968 and established his office in 1973. His office has been merged with Yodoyabashi LPC in 2003.
Professional
Associations
With a strong focus on intellectual property law, he was a chairman of IP committee of the Japan Federation of Bar Associations (1992-1993). He was also an Arbitrator and a member of the Mediation Committee of WIPO (1994), a former chairman of the Licensing Executives Society of Japan (1998) and a chairman of The Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (2000).
In cooperation with realm of patent attorneys, he has successfully litigated a number of IP cases.

 

  • If you have any questions regarding intellectual property rights, please feel free to contact us.