Since its founding in 1959 under the name Ginza Law Office, Abe, Ikubo & Katayama (“AIK”) has earned the deep trust of a vast number of clients. We have represented clients in a wide array of civil matters and provided strategic legal counsel across a comprehensive range of practice areas, including: corporate, litigation and dispute resolution, restructuring and insolvency, intellectual property, life sciences, M&A and corporate reorganization, international/cross-boarder transactions and international arbitration, compliance and crisis management, finance, antitrust and competition, data and information, and labor and employment.
Currently, we operate with a team of more than 180 members—including attorneys, patent attorneys, and specialized support staff—to address a wide range of legal needs. Our client base spans diverse industries, including domestic and international manufacturers, financial institutions, retailers, construction companies, and service providers. Our firm’s practice encompasses virtually all areas of law.
Since its establishment in 1959, Abe, Ikubo & Katayama ("AIK") has remained steadfast in its commitment to pursuing the best possible outcomes for our clients.
To keep pace with the growing volume of instructions as well as the increasing diversity and complexity of our cases, we have steadily expanded our operations. Today, our firm boasts a robust team of over 180 members, comprising attorneys, patent attorneys, and specialized support staff.
Our members carry out their daily work with constant awareness of our guiding principle, the spirit of the “Three S.”
The “Three S” represent the initials of Smile, Strength, and Structure.
Smile means always greeting our clients with a warm smile and thoughtful consideration. Strength signifies tenaciously handling each matter and continuing to deliver the best possible results. Structure refers to organizing the issues our clients face and flexibly building a clear path toward resolution.
Today, our firm offers a broad range of specialized legal expertise, including litigation, restructuring, intellectual property law, compliance, international legal affairs, M&A, corporate litigation, financial law, antitrust law, real estate law, and pharmaceutical law. We are continually deepening and expanding these areas of practice.
As we have in the past, and as we will continue to do in the future, Abe, Ikubo & Katayama remains fully committed to delivering the best possible outcomes for our clients through the highest level of expertise and dedication.
We approach every matter with a deep understanding of our clients' business objectives. True to our firm’s motto—the "Three S" spirit of Smile, Strength, and Structure—we are fully committed to providing our clients with the highest level of support. We believe that a deep understanding of each client’s unique corporate identity and culture is essential to providing precise legal services. In this regard, we strive to deliver "Client-Focused Services," fostering close and enduring partnerships with those we serve.
Drawing on the insights and proven track record we have cultivated since our founding, we have successfully addressed a diverse array of challenges for clients of all sizes and across all industries.
Built on a solid foundation of experience in litigation and dispute resolution, we provide seamless representation ranging from strategic negotiations to formal court proceedings.
We provide comprehensive, hands-on support through every stage of the revitalization process—from the formulation of restructuring plans and negotiations with financial institutions to the execution of formal insolvency proceedings.
Our expertise covers the entire lifecycle of intellectual property, including patent and trademark prosecution, enforcement against infringements, and the negotiation of licensing contracts.
We handle international matters and cross-border M&A transactions effectively by collaborating closely with our extensive network of overseas partner firms.
By leveraging our collective strengths as a team, we provide legal services that are prompt, meticulous, and precise.
Firm History
ESTABLISHMENT1959
The firm was established by Shogo Abe, attorney-at-law, under the name Ginza Law Office.
1991
We renamed the firm to Abe, Ikubo & Katayama as we expanded our scale and scope of services to meet diverse legal needs.
1993
The firm moved to the Fukuoka Building located in Chuo-ku, Tokyo.
2000
We established the Intellectual Property Department and expanded patent and trademark prosecution services.
2022
We opened our Fukuoka Branch Office in Fukuoka-shi.
2024
Our main office was relocated to Marunouchi, Tokyo.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy
Members of our firm, including our attorneys, patent attorneys,
and staff, view each other as part of a "family."
Embracing a spirit of mutual gratitude and respect,
we support one another as we strive for both the personal growth of each member
and the sustainable development of the firm as a whole.
While embracing our diverse backgrounds, we respect and welcome a wide range of perspectives and values. By fostering unwavering bonds of mutual trust among our members, we strive to contribute to the sustainable development of society by providing the highest quality of legal services that meet the variety of needs of our clients and the community.
◆ Currently, women make up approximately 30% of our attorneys-at-law and over 30% of our patent attorneys, representing one of the highest ratios in the industry. Furthermore, this strong representation is mirrored at the partner level. We are committed to maintaining and evolving an environment where all members, regardless of gender, can maximize their potential and thrive.
◆ Our firm expressed its support for "Marriage Equality" on June 12, 2024, joining the initiative led by Business for Marriage Equality. We strive to help build a society where everyone can be who they are and pursue their own happiness.
