Attorneys

Yasutaka Iwamoto is a Representative Managing Partner of HARUKA Patent & Trademark Attorneys. He established HARUKA in 2002 after managing IWAMOTO and Associates for two years.

Technology fields of Mr. Iwamoto cover electronics, physics and computing, including digital and analogue circuits, semiconductor devices, data communication, computer hardware, and computer software, as well as business method patents. He also has extensive experience in dealing with design patents, trademarks, licensing and litigation in addition to offering opinions and consultation for a wide range of clients.

After graduating from the University of Tokyo in 1994, he joined one of group companies of Panasonic corporation and accumulated his expertise as a software engineer. Afterward, he worked for two intellectual property law firms before he opened IWAMOTO and Associates.

Mr. Iwamoto is also a counsel member of Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA). Since 2017, He has been giving lectures on the intellectual property law at Kansai University for the master’s course students.

He is fluent in English. He loves outdoor activities including camping, fishing and skiing, and enjoys nature in Kobe with his family in his free time .

Education

• B.S. in applied physics, Science University of Tokyo, 1992
• M.S. in physics, University of Tokyo, 1994

Publications and Speaking Engagements

• “272 cases of business model patents in U.S. and Japan,” joint work (2000)
• “160 cases of business model patents in U.S. and Japan,” joint work (2001)
• “Business model patents,” joint work (2004)
• “Case Study of Business Model Patents” Software Information Center (2000)
• “Software and patents” Software Information Center (2003)

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
• Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA)
• Licensing Executives Society Japan (LESJ)
• Japan Intellectual Property Association (JIPA)
• AIPPI Japan

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Mr. Tadashi Noda is a Managing Partner of HARUKA Patent & Trademark Attorneys.  Based on his extensive experience in a wide range of electrical and mechanical technologies, he has handled numerous domestic and overseas patent applications and prosecution for over 15 years.

Prior to his legal career, he was engaged in import and domestic sales of petroleum products at a domestic trading company from 1998 to 2003.

He is a member of Licensing Executives Society Japan (LESJ) and has been served as the chairman of the Web Site Committee since 2014.

Education

• BA in Nuclear Engineering, Nagoya University, 1998

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
• Kanto Branch of JPAA (Small and Medium-sized support committee, vice-chairman of the committee in 2013)
• Licensing Executives Society Japan (LESJ) (Web Site Committee, chairman of the committee since 2014)

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Mr. Tatsuya Ina is a partner of HARUKA Patent & Trademark Attorneys. With more than 30 years of experience in the field of intellectual property law, he has been involved in numerous patent prosecution matters mainly focused on semiconductor devices, LCD, OLED, quartz vibrator and electronic components. He also has developed vast experience in the fields of trademark, copyright and unfair competition law.

Before he joined HARUKA, he worked for an intellectual property law firm for 20 years. He is also a member of Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) and LES Japan.

Education

• LL.B., Doshisha University, 1987
• B.S. in Electronic Engineering, Tokyo University of Science, 1995

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
• Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA)
• Licensing Executives Society Japan (LESJ)
• AIPPI
• INTA

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Mr. Ryuichiro Kogure handles domestic and overseas patent applications and prosecution mainly in the field of organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, polymer chemistry, various device materials, printed circuit board materials, and materials for electrophotography.

After he earned his M.S. in Material and life science from Osaka University in 1997, Mr. Kogure worked at Ube Industries, Ltd. where he developed and designed separators for lithium-ion battery.  He also worked for intellectual property law firms and a domestic chemical company from 2003 to 2020 where he accumulated his extensive experience in intellectual property related work.

Education

• B.S. in Applied fine chemistry, Osaka University, 2010
• M.S. in Material and life science, Osaka University, 1997

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

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Dr. Yasuo Fujii is a partner of HARUKA Patent & Trademark Attorneys. With a technical background in chemical engineering, Dr. Fujii has extensive experience of domestic and overseas patent applications and prosecution in various technical fields including organic and inorganic materials, food and beverage, biotechnology (especially in the fields of regenerative medicine, artificial organs, bioreactors, tissue engineering, cell culture, bioinformatics) and nanotechnology.

He earned his Ph.D. in chemical systems and engineering from Kyushu University in 2001. Before he joined HARUKA, Dr. Fujii was the Assistant Professor of Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyushu University from 2001 to 2003.  He focused on development of micro-cell-chip for diagnostic use and development of tissue engineering for regeneration and reconstruction of tissues and organs.

Dr. Fujii is also a member of Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA) and LES Japan.

He is fluent in English.  When representing clients, he emphasizes the importance of direct interaction and working with sincerity and passion.  In his free time, Dr. Fujii is interested in finding and experiencing what he has not seen before.  For example, he likes walking a road he has never walked, drinking a beverage he has never tried, and finding products with new designs and features.  He also likes watching birds, especially a bird he has never seen before or a bird doing something he has never seen before.

Education

• B.S. in Chemical Engineering, Kyushu University, 1996
• M.S. in M.S. in Chemical Systems and Engineering, Kyushu University, 1998
• Ph.D. in Chemical Systems and Engineering, Kyushu University, 2001

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) [a member of Bio-Life Science committee (2007)]
• Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA)
• Licensing Executives Society Japan (LESJ)
• Kansai Patent Attorneys Study Group (KTK)

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Masato Shintaku has been engaged in preparing patent applications, performing searches and developing strategies against third parties’ patents at an R&D section of a chemical company. He started to work in IP Law firm in 2007. In 2011, he completed a Summer Patent Seminar at Birch, Stewart, Kolasch & Birch LLP (USA)

He mainly handles patent prosecutions for Japanese domestic and foreign applications relating chemistry, optics and mechanics. He is also responsible for expert opinion, opposition and invalidation trail for Japanese and foreign patent cases.

Education

• B.S. in Faculty of Engineering, Kyoto University, 1999
• M.S. in molecular engineering, Kyoto University, 2001

Publications and Speaking Engagements

• Shintaku, M. et. al., 2005. Absence of a Detectable Intermediate in the Compound I Formation of Horseradish Peroxidase at Ambient Temperature. J. Biol. Chem., 280, 40934–40938.
• Ihara, M. et. al., 2001. Conversion of an Electron-Transfer Protein into an Oxygen Binding Protein: The Axial Cytochrome b5 Mutant with an Unusually High O2 Affinity. J. Am. Chem. Soc., 122, 11535-11536

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
• Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA)

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Mr. Takashi Sato is a partner of HARUKA Patent & Trademark Attorneys.  Mr. Sato’s practice includes patent prosecution and IP counseling in the field of computer software/hardware, communication systems, image processing, control systems, and electronics.  He also has extensive experience in IP evaluation and IP formality.

After he earned his M.S. in Urban Engineering from the University of Tokyo, in 2001, Mr. Sato worked at Oracle Corporation Japan, where he accumulated his expertise in consulting on the introduction of middleware products focused on application servers.

In his free time, Mr. Sato enjoys golf, snorkeling, e-sports, and cooking.  Every year he visits Okinawa for playing golf and snorkeling, and he feels sorry for not able to do so for the time being due to the coronavirus.

Education

• B.S. in Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 1999
• M.S. in Urban Engineering, The University of Tokyo, 2001

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) -Intellectual Property Evaluation Promotion Center, 2010-2015, Patent System Operation Consultation Committee, 2016

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With his former experience as a Patent Examiner in Japan Patent Office, Mr. Kamitani has handled numerous domestic and overseas patent application-related matters focused on mechanics, control systems, precision machines, electronics, and software.  He has developed vast experience in patent search services including the search for prior art, investigation for prevention of infringement, search for invalidation data, and provides strategic consultation based on the results of the investigation, as well as prior trademark search and trademark applications.  His ‎experience also includes patent appeals, invalidation trials, and patent litigations. ‎

After graduating from Kyoto University in 1999, he had worked for Toray Industries, Inc. and focused on developing LCD-CF manufacturing machines and processes.

Mr. Kamitani is also a member of Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA).

Publications

• The outline and the present condition of patent examination in Japan, with hints to be patented, Japan Finishing, Vol.45(No.7), 2006, pp.80-84

Education

• B.S. in Mechanical engineering, Kyoto University, 1997
• M.S. in Mechanical engineering, Kyoto University, 1999

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
• Asian Patent Attorneys Association (APAA)

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With his experience in a broad range of technologies, including computer software, control systems, and electronic devices, Mr. Mitsuhiko Toda has extensive experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications for over 10 years. 

After he earned his M.S. in Geophysics from Kyoto University, Mr. Toda worked as an engineer at TIS Inc. and focused on the design and development of convenience store payment and logistics systems.

Along with several certifications, including a technical engineer (networking) and a database specialist, Mr. Toda also holds a national qualification of a weather forecaster.

Education

• B.S. in Geophysics, Kyoto University, 1996
• M.S. in Geophysics, Kyoto University, 1998

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

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Mr. Satoshi Takeshita is a partner of HARUKA Patent & Trademark Attorneys.  For over 10 years, he has handled patent applications with extensive experience and knowledge of software and communication systems.

He earned his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2004.  Before he joined HARUKA, Mr. Takeshita has several years of experience working in a corporate as a system engineer.  He was also involved in the restaurant business-he worked for a coffee shop as a Store Manager.  With his unique prior experience, he strives to work quickly, powerfully, and courteously from the client’s perspective.

Education

• B.A. in Electrical Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2004

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

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Mr. Takamasa Kitayama handles patent applications and prosecution mainly in the field of mechanics and control systems.

After he earned his B.S. in Applied Physics from Yokohama National University in 2010, he worked for a domestic patent attorneys office from 2010 to 2014.

Education

• B.S., Applied Physics, Yokohama National University, 2010
• Master of Business Law, Hitotsubashi University, 2015-

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

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Jun Nakata handles patent applications and prosecution mainly in the field of electronics technology and information communication.

Mr. Nakata earned his M.S in applied physics from Tohoku University in 2005. Prior to joining HARUKA, he worked at Sharp Corporation where he developed and designed liquid crystal displays from 2005 to 2012, and brings his real-world industry experience to his practice of intellectual property law. 

Education

• B.S in applied physics, Tohoku University, 2003
• M.S in applied physics, Tohoku University, 2005

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) [a member of Bio-Life Science committee (2007)]

After graduating from the university, Ms. Tachibana worked for an electronics contract development company as a circuit designer of wireless devices.

Education

• B.S. in electronic engineering, Tohoku University, 2016

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)

Before he joined HARUKA, he was a graduate student of Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Osaka University from 2019 to 2021, where he focused on development of a new methodology for the chemical synthesis of proteins.

Education

• B.S in chemistry, Osaka University, 2019
• M.S in chemistry, Osaka University, 2021

Publications

• Ryo Okamoto, et al. Semisynthesis of a Homogeneous Glycoprotein Using Chemical Transformation of Peptides to Thioester Surrogates. J. Org. Chem. 2022. 87 (1), 114-124

Professional Memberships

• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
• Kansai Patent Attorneys Study Group (KTK)

Dennis is a registered U.S. patent attorney and is based in Tokyo, Japan. He helped found HEA and manages the Tokyo office. He has over 10 years experience drafting and prosecuting patent applications. His practice includes managing all aspects of US and foreign patent prosecution; preparing and conducting appeals to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board; and preparing and filing reissue applications. He has also prepared numerous legal opinions on patentability, infringement, and non-infringement. He has been involved in patent litigation and acted as local counsel in the Eastern District of Virginia.

Dennis advises clients in technology areas such as electronic circuits, semiconductors, aerospace, optics, robotics and software.

Dennis is also a member of the Daini Tokyo Bar Association and is a registered Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi (registered foreign attorney) in Japan. He currently lives in Tokyo, Japan and regularly travels to Kansai and other locations throughout Japan and Asia.

Prior to founding HEA, Dennis worked as a patent attorney in Washington, D.C. Before becoming a patent attorney, he was a circuit design engineer for Honeywell Aerospace Company in Tucson, Arizona, where he designed and tested various turbine engine control systems and aerospace components.

Bar and Court Admissions

• Commonwealth of Virginia
• Daini Tokyo Bar Association – Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi
• US District Court, Eastern/Western Districts of Virginia
• Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office

Education

• American University, Washington College of Law, J.D., 2007
• Arizona State University, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, B.S., Electrical Engineering, 2003

Professional Memberships

• Licensing Executive Society Japan (LESJ)
• Roppongi Bar Association

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Mr. Yamashita is a registered US attorney and a registered Japanese patent attorney.  He was also a registered US patent attorney.  Mr. Yamashita has unique career experiences from his 40 years in the intellectual property field that make him an expert in US and Japanese patent practice.

Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Yamashita worked as a U.S. patent attorney in Alexandria, Virginia at a large patent boutique.  He has over 8 years of experience practicing before the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the broad fields of mechanical and electrical engineering.  His practice includes handling every aspect of US patent prosecution; prosecuting appeals before the USPTO Patent Trial and Appeal Board; and filing and prosecuting reissue applications.  Mr. Yamashita also worked for the Japan Patent Office (JPO) for more than 20 years.  His career at the JPO included stints as Chief Patent Appeal Examiner, and Director of Image Processing Division.  Further, Mr. Yamashita was Director of the Washington D.C. Office of the Institute of Intellectual Property, and a consultant at World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Switzerland.  He is fluent in Japanese and English.

Mr. Yamashita is an expert in US patent practice and Japanese patent practice. Mr. Yamashita’s expertise allows him to highlight the differences between Japanese patent practice and US patent practice. Due to his native Japanese fluency and his dual legal expertise, Mr. Yamashita can provide specialized advice regarding US patent practice in Japanese to the clients who have filed and plan to file US patent applications.

Bar and Court Admissions

• Commonwealth of Virginia
• Japanese Patent Attorney
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (2009-2016) 
• Gaikokuhou Jimu Bengoshi

Education

• University of New Hampshire School of Law, J.D., 2008
• Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, U.S.A. Non-degree student (Nuclear Engineering), 1986-1987
• Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan, Bachelor of Engineering (Naval Architecture), 1978

Professional Memberships

• American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA)
• Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA)
• Tokyo Bar Association