From left: Yuri Suzuki and Hirofumi Kaji
Japanese law firm Atsumi & Sakai has launched a Sapporo and Hokkaido desk at its Tokyo office to better support regional growth in semiconductors, data centres and startups.
Senior partner Yuri Suzuki and of counsel Hirofumi Kaji will lead the desk, which will comprise a team of eight lawyers.
Suzuki said the launch reflected the substantial changes taking place in Hokkaido, particularly in the semiconductor and data centre sectors, and in Sapporo’s startup ecosystem.
She told Asia Business Law Journal: “Hokkaido is currently seeing significant change. The development of a next-generation semiconductor manufacturing base in Chitose, with mass production planned for fiscal 2027, has encouraged related companies to establish operations and invest in the region.
“At the same time, data centre projects are growing in areas such as Tomakomai and Ishikari, and renewable energy development, including offshore wind, is advancing.
“We are also seeing growing interest from companies outside Hokkaido and overseas in investing in and partnering with local businesses. In central Sapporo, large-scale redevelopment and public-private initiatives to support startups are both moving forward.
“We see these developments as a broader structural trend, and we felt it was the right time to organise our capabilities so that we can better support both local companies and those entering the region.”
Atsumi & Sakai’s Sapporo and Hokkaido desk will cover several practice areas, and work with both local and overseas businesses across a broad range of industries.
“The desk will focus on seven areas: startup support, from incorporation through to IPO or M&A exits; market entry support for Japanese and foreign companies establishing a presence in Hokkaido; regulatory and contractual support for new business development, including fintech, life sciences and AI; industrial and infrastructure projects such as semiconductors, data centres, renewable energy and offshore wind, including project finance; domestic and cross-border M&A; international transactions and disputes, drawing on our overseas offices and affiliated offices, together with our network of law firms in about 120 countries; and emerging areas such as urban and regional development, public-private partnership/private finance initiative and agribusiness,” Suzuki said.
AloJapan.com