Patent Attorneys

Patent Attorneys


Masataka KOTANI

President

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications related to the field of mechanical technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision and in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.M.E. from Kyoto Institute of Technology in 1995.

History:

Mr. Kotani passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 1999. He, then, joined Shimizu Patent Attorneys Office in 2000. Thereafter, he joined Sankyo in 2002.


Takashi YUKUTAKE

Vice President, Manager of Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in the field of electrical, software and mechanical related technologies for patent procurement, opinion work, claim interpretation, consultations, agent representation against appeal board decision, and assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.M.E. from Osaka University in 1994.
M.S.M.E. from Osaka University in 1996.

History:

Mr. Yukutake joined Fuji Xerox Co, Ltd. after graduating Osaka University with MSME as an engineer. Mr. Yukutake passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2010. He joined Sankyo in 2011.


Tetsuya NAMIKAWA

Vice President, Manager of Design and Trademark Division

Specialties:

Opinion work, consultations, agent representation against appeal board decision and also in infringement lawsuits relating to design, trademark, and unfair competition laws.

Education:

B.A. in Law from Osaka University in 1994.
B.S. in Department of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineering from Osaka Institute of Technology in 2008.

History:

Mr. Namikawa joined Fukami Patent Office p.c. (Osaka based Patent Attorneys firm) after graduating from Osaka University. He has practiced as a patent attorney since 2001. He joined Sankyo in 2014. Lecturing intellectual properties at Kyoto Institute of Technology during 2016 to 2020.

Lecturing as Visiting Associate Professor at Graduate School of Law and Politics, Osaka University during Apr. 2010 to Jan. 2012, and as Visiting Professor during Feb. 2012. to Mar. 2022.


Atsushi YAMAMOTO

Vice President, Manager of Foreign Application Secretary Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications related to the field of mechanical technologies, electrical and software related technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S. in Applied Chemistry from Tokyo Univ. of Science in 1997.

History:

After graduating from Tokyo Univ. of Science, Mr. Yamamoto joined Daiken Medical Co., Ltd. and worked there in its R&D department until 2001. In 2001, Mr. Yamamoto joined Sankyo. He passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2009.


Ko SATO

Vice President, Deputy Manager of Patent Division, Head of Mechanical Group

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications related to the field of mechanical technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.M.E. from Waseda University in 1997.
B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Kyoto University in 1999.

History:

Mr. Sato joined Kubota Corporation after graduating from Kyoto University in 1999 and worked there until 2004 as an engineer, developing large valves for nuclear power plants.?During the employment thereof, he passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2003. Mr. Sato joined Sankyo in 2004.


Koji NISHITANI

Head of Electrical Group

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications in the field of electrical and software related technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.E.E. from Denki-Tsushin University in 1996.

History:

Mr. Nishitani joined JAL Info-tech Company after graduating from Denki-Tsushin University. He then joined Sankyo in 2000. He passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2000.


Aya USAMI

Head of Chemical Group

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications in the field of technological areas including Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, and Materials, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits. Fluent in both English and German.

Education:

B.S. in Biology from Osaka University in 1996.
Information System (Cert. Program) from U.C.L.A. Cal., U.S.A. in 1998.

History:

Ms. Usami spent 5 years in the United States of America as a student at UCLA and as an assistant at an advertising service company Colby & Partners in California. Prior to joining Sankyo in 2010, Ms. Usami served as a researcher at the Research Institute of Microbial Diseases of Osaka University and as a patent engineer at Takashima Int'l Patent Office and Saegusa & Partners. She has practiced as a patent attorney since 2009. She also spent her junior years of high school in Germany, she is fluent in German.


Kengo TAKAO

Manager of Domestic Application Secretary Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications in the field of electrical, software and mechanical related technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.E.E. from Kyoto Institute of Technology in 1995.

History:

Mr. Takao joined Yoshida, Yoshitake & Arita Patent Attorneys in 1996 after graduating from Kyoto Institute of Technology. Prior to joining Sankyo in 2019, Mr. Takao had set up his own Patent Law Firm in 2006 and also co-established Onedee IP Partners in 2007, and served as a Patent Attorney. He passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2004.


Toshiro MURAMATSU

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications related to the field of mechanical technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.M.E. from Osaka Prefecture University in 1985.

History:

Mr. Muramatsu joined Morita Pump Company after graduating from Osaka Prefecture University and worked as a mechanical engineer.
He then joined Sankyo in 1986 and passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 1996.


Satoshi SAKURAI

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications in the field of electrical and software related technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

L.L.B. from Chuo University in 2004.
M.S.E.E. from Graduate School of Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1991.
B.S. in Electronics-Physics from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1989.

History:

Mr. Sakurai joined Tokyo Metropolitan Government in 1991. He passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 1997. He then joined Sony Corp , in 2000. Thereafter, Mr. Sakurai joined Sankyo in 2002.


Haruhiro HIRATA

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications in the field of electrical, software and mechanical related technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision and also in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.E.E. from Kanto Gakuin University in 1985

History:

Mr. Hirata joined Mitsubishi Cable Industries, Ltd. after graduating from Kanto Gakuin University. and worked there as a manager of an IP section. During the employment thereof, he passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2002. Mr. Hirata joined Sankyo in 2003.


Yukihisa TAMAKUSHI

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications related to the field of mechanical technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

M.S.M.E. from Kobe University in 1990.
B.S.M.E. from Kobe University in 1988.

History:

After graduating from Kobe U. , Mr. Tamakushi joined Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., working as a researcher for sporting goods and testing equipment thereof in RD div. and also engaged in quality assurance program in QC div., and worked there until 1999.
Thereafter he joined to Maeda Patent and Trademark Office in Osaka and worked there as a patent engineer. He joined Sankyo in 2003 and passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2004.


Yuko WAKISAKA

Design and Trademark Division

Specialties:

Opinion work, consultations, agent representation against appeal board decision and also in infringement lawsuits relating to design, trademark, and unfair competition laws.

Education:

B.A. in Law from Osaka City University in 1994.

History:

Ms. Wakisaka joined Asahina & Co. (Osaka based Patent Attorneys firm) after graduating from Osaka City University. In 1997, she joined Fujimoto & Associates Patent Attorneys, mainly handling the trademark, design patent applications. She came to Sankyo in 2003. In 2004, Ms. Wakisaka passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam.


Harunari FUKUYAMA

Patent Division

Specialties:

Consultations on Chinese Patent Prosecutions; Specialized in handling patent applications in the technological field of Metallurgy, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and in infringement lawsuits. Fluent in Chinese.

Education:

M.S. in Material Science from Osaka University in 1990.
B.S. in Material Science from Osaka University in 1988.

History:

Mr. Fukuyama, after obtaining M.S. degree from Osaka University, joined Sumitomo Metal Industries, Ltd. In 1990 and worked there as a metallurgist on high-strength strip steel. Thereafter he joined Sankyo in 2003. Mr. Fukuyama passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2007.


Kohei WATANABE

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in the field of electrical, software and mechanical related technologies for patent procurement, opinion work, claim interpretation, consultations, agent representation against appeal board decision, and assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.M.E. from Shibaura Institute of Technology in 1993.
M.S.M.E. from Shibaura Institute of Technology in 1995.

History:

Mr. Watanabe joined P&G Far East Inc. soon after graduating Shibaura Institute of Technology with MSME. He worked at P&G as an engineer for 6 years. Thereafter, he joined Kao Corporation in 2001. After working at Kao about 3 years, he joined Kiyohara & Co., Patent Attorneys in 2004. Mr. Watanabe passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2007. He joined Sankyo in 2009.


Shinsuke KITO

Design and Trademark Division

Specialties:

Opinion work, consultations, agent representation against appeal board decision and also in infringement lawsuits relating to design, trademark, and unfair competition laws.

Education:

L.L.B. from Kansai University in 2005.

History:

Mr. Kito passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2008. Soon thereafter, he joined Sankyo.


Tsutomu FUKUNARI

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications related to the field of mechanical technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.M.E. from Kansai University in 1987.

History:

Mr. Fukunari joined Mita (now Kyocera Document Solutions Inc.) after graduating from Kansai University and worked as a mechanical engineer. He then joined Sankyo in 1992. Mr. Fukunari passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2010.


Masashi JIGE

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications in the field of technological areas including Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, and Materials, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S. in Applied Chemistry from Kansai Univ. in 2001.
M.S. in Applied Chemistry from Kansai Univ. in 2003.

History:

Mr. Jige joined Saikyo Patent Office after graduating from Kansai Univ. as a patent engineer.
He then joined Sankyo in 2006 and passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2010.


Tomoe UEDA

Design and Trademark Division

Specialties:

Opinion work, consultations, agent representation against appeal board decision, and in infringement lawsuits relating to design, trademark, and unfair competition laws.

Education:

B.A. Law from Kobe University in 1994.

History:

Ms. Ueda joined Nakajima Patent Office after graduating from Kobe University. Prior to joining Sankyo in 2002, Ms. Ueda also served as an assistant at Fujimoto & Partners. She passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2013.


Yozo NAKAMURA

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications related to the technological areas including Mechanical technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S. from Osaka City University in 1993.

History:

Mr. Nakamura joined Sekisui Jushi Corporation after graduating from Osaka City University. Prior to joining Sankyo in 2008, Mr. Nakamura served as a patent engineer at Fukai Patent Firm and Kyocera Corporation. He passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2017.


Masashi SUGITA

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications related to the field of mechanical technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.M.E. from Kyoto Institute of Technology in 1990.

History:

Mr. Sugita joined Suzuki Motor Corporation after graduating from Kyoto Institute of Technology and in 1991 he joined Asahina & Co. ( Osaka based Patent Attorneys office). In 2004, he joined Shinjyu Global IP. Mr. Sugita passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2008. He then joined Sankyo in 2010.


Shoko SAKAKIBARA

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications in the field of technological areas including Pharmaceutics, Chemistry, and Materials, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S. in Applied Engineering from Osaka Univ. in 2006.

History:

Ms. Sakakibara joined Ashida & Kimura Patent Attorneys in 2008 after graduating from Osaka Univ. Prior to joining Sankyo in 2019, Ms. Sakakibara also served as a patent attorney at Aoyama and Partners. She passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2008.


Sachio TSUCHIDA

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in the field of mechanical and electrical related technologies for patent procurement, opinion work, claim interpretation, consultations, agent representation against appeal board decision, and in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.M.E. from Kyoto Institute of Technology in 1986.

History:

Mr. Tsuchida joined Yuasa Denchi Co. (GS Yuasa since 2004) after graduating from Kyoto Institute of Technology. Prior to joining Sankyo in 2016, Mr. Tsuchida served as a researcher at TOYO Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd and also served as a patent engineer at Nakajima & Associates IP Firm. He passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2010.


Ryu OKUBO

Patent Division

Specialties:

Specialized in handling patent applications in the field of mechanical related technologies, Opinion work, Claim interpretation, Consultations, Agent representation against appeal board decision, and Assisting in infringement lawsuits.

Education:

B.S.E.E. from Waseda University in 1998.
M.S.E.E. from Tokyo University in 2000.

History:

Mr. Okubo joined Honda Motor Co. Ltd. in 2000 after graduating from Tokyo University. Prior to joining Sankyo in 2023, Mr. Okubo had started his career as a Patent Engineer at other IP firm since 2005; and then he set up his own Patent Law Firm in 2012 and further co-established an IP firm in 2020. He passed Japanese Patent Bar Exam in 2011.


Mei Tian

Patent Division, Chinese Patent Attorney

Specialties:

Mainly handling Chinese Patent Prosecution, Appeal Proceeding, and Nullity Proceeding. Consultations on wide range of Chinese IP Matters. Fluent in Chinese and Japanese.

Education:

B.S.E.E. from Shanghai Institute of Technology in China in 2006.

History:

Ms. Tian served as a patent engineer in Shanghai Patent & Trademark Law Office, LLC before coming to Japan. She then worked in China Patent Agent (HK) Ltd. since 2009 before joining Sankyo in 2012. She passed the Chinese Patent Bar Exam in 2008.