Kazuma HIGUCHIManaging Partner

Attorney at law (licensed in Japan and New York)

Certified Fraud Examiner
2022
Appointed as Director, Audit and Supervisory Committee Member
2022
Registered as Certified Fraud Examiner
2021
Completed the Governance Training Program “MID Course” for independent external officers (provided and supported by Japan Corporate Governance Network, Tokyo Stock Exchange, and JPX)
2019
Appointed as independent auditor of K.K. Asahi Net
2014
Reformed to Higuchi and Partners, LPC (Managing Partner)
2011
Kazuma Higuchi International Law Office (Partner)
2008
Ohhara Law Office (Senior Associate)
2007 – 2008
Masuda, Funai, Enfert & Mitchell, LTD (Visiting Attorney) *Admitted to New York State Bar (2008)
2006 – 2007
University of Michigan Law School (LL.M)
2003 – 2006
Ohhara Law Office (Associate)
2002 – 2003
Legal Research and Training Institute of Supreme Court of Japan (Law Clerk)
2000 – 2002
Graduate School of Hitotsubashi University (M.A., Language and Sociology) *Passed Bar Exam of Japan (2000) *Attended University of Cambridge’s Summer School for English Legal Methods (2000) *Organized or joined legal system research tours of Europe, South Korea, China, and Australia
1995 – 1999
Keio University (B.A., Law)
Language
Japanese, English
Hobby
Tennis, Golf, Swimming, Skiing, Karaoke, Guitar, Ping Pong, Salsa, Traveling
Kazuma HIGUCHI

Membership

  • Japan Federation of Bar Associations
  • Tokyo Bar Association (TBA)
  • International Trade Section of TBA
  • Intellectual Property Law Section of TBA
  • International Committee of TBA (Vice-chair from 2011, Chair from 2023)
  • American Bar Association
  • New York State Bar Association
  • International Bar Association (IBA)
  • IBA International Sales Committee (Officer from 2012）
  • sIBA Litigation Committee (Officer from 2012）
  • Seiwajuku Tokyo
  • Legal Network for Foreigners
  • International Association of Young Lawyers (AIJA)（National Representative・2016～, Executive Committee Member・2019～）
  • Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
  • University of Michigan Alumni Association Japan (Co-chair from 2017)

Publications, Lectures and Activities

  • “Linguistic Rights -Protection and Limitation”, Collection of Hitotsubashi University Library (2002)
  • “J-SOX, Essential Points and Response of Japanese Subsidiary”, Japan Chicago Chamber of Commerce News Letter No78 (2008)
  • “When international sales goes wrong”, panelist at IBA’s annual conference (Vancouver, 2010)
  • Counselor at Tokyo Metropolitan Intellectual Property Center (2010～）
  • “Global Development in the Prevention of Foreign Corruption-Outline of Foreign Corrupt Practices Act with a Focus on the Impact on Japanese Corporations”, Research on The Practice of Law No.25 (Tokyo Bar Association, 2010)
  • Japan Federation of Bar Associations’ Working Group for Outbound Business Development (from 2012)
  • Japan Federation of Bar Associations’ Project Team for Preparation for IBA Tokyo Conference (from 2012)
  • “Route for Japanese Lawyers to Support Outbound Business of SMEs” (18th Symposium for Legal Practice Development, Japan Federation of Bar Associations. 2013)
  • “Legal Advice for SME’s Outbound Business” (Multi-authored. 2013)
  • “Cross-border Quality Control and Liability Issues”, panelist at IBA’s conference for international sales, procurement, distribution and franchising (Delhi, 2013)
  • “Proposed revision of Japanese Civil Code after 120 years”, International Sales Newsletter No. 33 of International Bar Association (2014)
  • “Battery drives the future – Legal risks and chances of Self-automotive cars”, panelist as IBA’s annual conference (Tokyo, 2014)
  • “Choosing a Judicial Approach for the Future – Adversarial, Inquisitorial or a Hybrid?”, co-chair at Litigation Conference of the Law Society of Singapore (Singapore, 2015)
  • “Comparison of ADR in Japan and US” (Panelist. Chicago Bar Association. 2015)
  • “Effective Dispute Resolution Methods in Different Countries”(Panelist. AIJA/JFBA session. 2015)
  • “General Guide to Legal Affairs for SMEs” (Multi-authored. Shouji-houmu. 2017)
  • “Basics of Cross-border Legal Services for SMEs” (Seminar. Okinawa Bar Association. 2017)
  • “International Commercial Agency and Distribution Agreement” (Co-authored. Wolters Kluwer. 2017)
  • “Intercultural differences ~ dos and don’t of negotiation with Asian business partners” (Panelist. AIJA. Amsterdam. 2018)
  • “International Human Rights and Business” (Lecture. Tokyo Bar Association. 2018)
  • “AI in Japan ~ Recent Development and Local Characteristics”（Lecture. World City Bar Leaders Conference. Chicago. 2018)
  • “Supporting International Business for SMEs” (Lecture. Japan Federation of Bar Associations/Tokyo Bar Association. 2018)
  • “International Business Contracts – Basics, Templates and Negotiations” (Solo-authored. Nihon Kajo Publications. 2019)
  • “Force majeure, frustration and hardship under Japanese law”（IBA Construction Law International vol 3. 2020）
  • “Fundamentals for Supporting International Business – in the new-normal era-“ (Lecture. Tokyo Bar Association. 2021)
  • “Amendment of Whistleblower Protection Act and Efficient Operation of Compliance Hotline”（Seminar. Business Law Navi）
  • “General Guide to Legal Affairs for SMEs (2nd edition)” (Multi-authoried. Shouji-houmu. 2023)

  • ”Pitfalls and Protection ~ Cross-Border Business of SME” (Seminar. Tsubame-Sanjo Trade Association. 2023）

  • ”Legal Support for SME’s Outbound Business »   (Seminar. Yamaguchi Bar Association. 2024）

  • ”Overview of Tokyo Bar Association”（Seminar. UIA Governing Board. 2024）