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English-Speaking Lawyers
Legal advice
you can understand. -
Business &
Personal SupportOne legal team for life
and business in Japan. -
Practical &
ConfidentialTrusted advice for
important decisions.
We Help Global Executives, Entrepreneurs,
and Highly Skilled Professionals.
Whether you are building your career, growing a business, or planning your future in Japan,
our English-speaking lawyers can support you with the legal matters below.
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“I’m considering a
new job or executive position in Japan...” - Make your next career move with confidence.
Before accepting a new position, changing employers, or leaving your current role, it is important to understand how Japanese employment law, your contract, and your immigration status may affect your decision. Our lawyers help you review your options and move forward with clarity.
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“I want to start or
grow my business in Japan...” - Build your business on the right legal foundation.
Starting and running a business in Japan can involve company formation, visas, contracts, employment, licensing, and other regulatory requirements. We provide practical legal support so you can focus on building your business while managing legal risks from the outset.
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“I’ve been asked to
sign an important
contract, but I’m not
sure what it means
under Japanese law...” - Understand the risks before you sign.
Employment agreements, executive contracts, investment arrangements, and commercial agreements can have significant long-term consequences. We review Japanese and English contracts, explain the key risks in clear English, and help you negotiate terms that protect your interests.
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“I want to build my long-term future in Japan...”
- Plan your life and
career in Japan with confidence.
Changes in employment, business activities, family circumstances, or immigration rules can affect your ability to remain and build a future in Japan. We advise on visas, permanent residence, career changes, business plans, and related legal matters so you can make informed decisions about your next step.
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How We Support Global Professionals in Japan
Our firm provides comprehensive legal support for global executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals
living or doing business in Japan. We advise on a wide range of matters involving immigration, employment, business, contracts, and personal legal issues, with a practical understanding of how these areas may affect
one another. Whether you are making an important career move, starting or growing a business, reviewing a contract, or planning your long-term future in Japan, our English-speaking lawyers provide clear and
confidential legal guidance tailored to your circumstances.
- Immigration and visa advice, including work visas, Business Manager status, Highly Skilled Professional status, J-Skip, renewals, changes of status, and permanent residence
- Legal advice on employment agreements, executive compensation, career changes, resignation, termination, non-compete obligations, and workplace disputes
- Support for starting and operating a business in Japan, including company formation, governance,
commercial contracts, employment, and regulatory matters - Review, drafting, and negotiation of employment, executive, investment, service, and other
business agreements in English and Japanese - Legal advice on personal matters that may affect your career, business, immigration status, or life in
Japan - Legal representation and dispute resolution support where negotiation, mediation, labor tribunal proceedings, or litigation becomes necessary
Contact us from here
Our Key Strengths in Supporting Global Professionals
in Japan
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One-stop legal support for your
career, business, and life in Japan - Legal matters in Japan are often interconnected. A change of employment may affect your visa, starting a business may involve both corporate and immigration issues, and a contract decision may have consequences for your career or company.
First & TandemSprint provides integrated legal support across immigration, employment, business, contracts, and personal legal matters. Rather than consulting multiple professionals separately, you can discuss the broader situation with one legal team that understands how these issues fit together.
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Clear legal advice in English with an international perspective
- Understanding Japanese law can be challenging when you are accustomed to a different legal and business environment.
Our lawyers provide legal advice in clear, practical English, explaining not only what Japanese law says but also what it means for your particular situation. We understand that global executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals often have careers, businesses, assets, or relationships that extend beyond Japan, and we approach legal issues with this international perspective in mind.
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Practical, business-minded advice
for important decisions - The right legal answer is not always simply a matter of what is technically permitted under the law.
For executives and entrepreneurs, legal decisions must also make sense from a business, career, and practical perspective. Whether you are negotiating an executive agreement, changing employers, launching a company, entering into an important contract, or considering a long-term future in Japan, we help you identify the key risks, understand your options, and make informed decisions.
Our goal is to provide advice that helps you move forward—not simply explain the law.
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Responsive, confidential, and personalized support
- Legal matters involving your career, company, immigration status, or personal circumstances can be highly sensitive and, in some cases, time-critical.
We take the time to understand your priorities and provide advice tailored to your individual circumstances. We also recognize the importance of responsiveness and confidentiality, particularly for executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals dealing with matters that may affect their reputation, position, business, or future in Japan.
You can discuss sensitive legal concerns with our lawyers in a professional and confidential environment.
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A trusted legal partner for your
long-term future in Japan - You do not need to wait until a dispute arises to speak with a lawyer.
Many legal risks can be better managed by obtaining advice before signing a contract, changing jobs, starting a business, making an investment, or taking another important step.
We aim to build long-term relationships with our clients so that they have a lawyer in Japan they can turn to as their circumstances evolve. From preventive advice and strategic planning to negotiation and dispute resolution when necessary, First & TandemSprint can support you through different stages of your career, business, and life in Japan.
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Our Legal Services for Global Professionals in Japan
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Immigration & Residency Planning
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Your immigration status can affect your career, business activities, and long-term plans in Japan. We advise global executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals on work visas, Highly Skilled Professional status, J-Skip, Business Manager status, visa renewals and changes of status, as well as permanent residence. Where immigration issues are connected with employment or business matters, we consider them together and help you plan the appropriate legal path forward.
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Executive Employment & Career Changes
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Accepting a senior position, changing employers, resigning, or negotiating an exit can have significant legal and professional consequences. We review executive and employment agreements, advise on compensation, termination, resignation, confidentiality, non-compete obligations, and other employment matters, and help you understand how a career decision may affect your immigration status and future in Japan.
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Starting & Growing a
Business in Japan -
We support international entrepreneurs from the early planning stage through the growth of their business in Japan. Our services include company formation, Business Manager Visa matters, corporate governance, shareholder arrangements, employment issues, regulatory considerations, and commercial contracts. By considering these matters together, we help you establish and operate your business on a sound legal foundation.
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Contracts & Important Agreements
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Before signing an important agreement in Japan, it is essential to understand both its legal meaning and its practical consequences. We review, draft, and negotiate employment agreements, executive contracts, consulting agreements, investment and shareholder agreements, service agreements, NDAs, commercial contracts, and other important documents in English and Japanese. We explain key provisions and risks clearly so that you can make informed decisions before committing.
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Ongoing Legal Support
for Your Business -
As your business develops in Japan, legal questions can arise across contracts, employment, corporate governance, regulatory compliance, and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, and business partners. We provide ongoing legal advice to entrepreneurs and business owners who want access to a trusted Japanese legal team without having to find a new specialist every time an issue arises.
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Personal Legal Matters in
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Your professional and personal life in Japan are often closely connected. A personal legal matter may affect your career, immigration status, finances, family circumstances, or business activities. We provide confidential legal advice on personal matters relevant to international professionals living in Japan and help identify the appropriate legal solution or specialist support where necessary.
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Negotiation, Disputes & Legal Representation
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When a legal issue develops into a dispute, early strategic advice can make a significant difference. We assist with negotiations, employment disputes, contractual disputes, settlement discussions, labor tribunal proceedings, and litigation where appropriate. Our lawyers consider not only the immediate legal claim, but also your broader objectives, including your career, reputation, business interests, and future in Japan.
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Support Team Overview
Profile
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Tomohiro OnoManaging Attorney at
First & TandemSprint LPCMember of the
TOKYO BAR Association - Tomohiro Ono is the Managing Attorney of First & TandemSprint LPC and advises global executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals on legal matters related to working, doing business, and building their lives in Japan.
His practice covers a broad range of matters, including immigration and visa issues, executive employment, company formation, commercial contracts, business operations, and cross-border legal matters. Rather than addressing each legal issue in isolation, he focuses on understanding the client’s broader objectives and providing practical advice that takes into account their career, business, and long-term plans in Japan.
With extensive experience advising international clients and businesses, Tomohiro understands that navigating Japanese law can be particularly challenging when legal systems, business practices, and cultural expectations differ from those in a client’s home country. He therefore places particular emphasis on providing clear, practical legal advice in English and helping clients understand not only what Japanese law requires, but also what their available options mean in practice.
Tomohiro also advises Japanese and international companies on cross-border transactions, contracts, employment, and global business operations. This business-oriented perspective allows him to provide individual clients—particularly executives and entrepreneurs—with legal advice that reflects both their personal interests and the realities of business.
His goal is to be a trusted legal counsel for global professionals in Japan—someone clients can turn to not only when a legal problem arises, but also before making important decisions about their career, business, or future in Japan.
Senior Associate
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KADOWAKI,
Fumitaka -
KIMURA,
Mami -
YANAGIDA,
Sumiko -
SUGENOYA,
Motohide -
SUZUKI,
Kazuko -
YAMAGUCHI,
Atsuyo -
ISHIDA,
Midori -
TAOKA,
Shunsuke -
KANEKO,
Taeko
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Frequently Asked Questions about
Our Global Executives & Entrepreneurs Support Service
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Can I consult with a lawyer in English?
Yes. Our services for international clients are designed to enable you to discuss your legal concerns in English and understand the relevant issues under Japanese law.
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Do you only handle visa matters?
No.
Immigration is an important part of our practice for international clients, but many visa issues are closely connected with employment, company formation, contracts or other legal matters.
We therefore provide broader legal support for international executives, entrepreneurs and professionals living or doing business in Japan. -
I am planning to move to Japan. Can I consult you before arriving?
Yes.
It can be useful to obtain legal advice before moving to Japan, particularly if your plans involve employment, establishing a business or determining the appropriate immigration status.
You can contact us while you are outside Japan to discuss your plans and the legal steps that may be required. -
I work for a foreign company in Japan. Can I consult you personally?
Yes.
We advise individuals as well as businesses.
If you are an executive or professional and have questions concerning your employment agreement, immigration status, resignation, termination or another personal legal matter, you may contact us in your individual capacity. -
I am considering starting a company in Japan. When should I contact
you?Ideally, before making important decisions about the structure of the business.
Company formation, immigration status, ownership, investment, contracts and licensing requirements can be interconnected. Considering these matters early can help you establish the business on a more appropriate legal foundation. -
Can you review an employment or business contract written in
Japanese?Yes.
We can review Japanese-language agreements and explain the important provisions, risks and practical implications to you in English.
Where appropriate, we can also assist with revisions and negotiations. -
Can I consult you even if I am not sure what type of legal issue I have?
Yes.
International professionals sometimes encounter problems that involve several areas of Japanese law and may not know which category their issue falls into.
Please describe your situation in the consultation form. We will review the information and consider how we may be able to assist.
How We Work
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Tell Us About Your Situation
Send us a brief description of your matter through our consultation form.
Please provide enough information for us to understand the nature of your question and any relevant deadlines.
[ Request a Consultation ] -
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We Review Your Matter
Our team will review the information you provide and determine how we may be able to assist.
If additional information or documents are required before a consultation, we will let you know. -
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Speak with a Lawyer
You will have an opportunity to discuss your situation with a lawyer and explain your concerns in more detail.
We will identify the key legal issues, explain the relevant considerations and discuss possible next steps. -
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Decide How to Proceed
If further legal assistance is appropriate, we will explain the proposed scope of work and fees.
You can then decide whether you would like us to proceed with the matter.
Contact - Discuss Your Matter with Our Legal Team –
Whether your question concerns your career, immigration status, business or another legal matter in
Japan, tell us about your situation.
Please complete the form below with a brief description of your matter.
Our team will review your inquiry and contact you regarding the next steps.