Chie Kasahara Verified Lawyer

Experience

Chie Kasahara is a senior partner at Atsumi & Sakai, based in Tokyo, where she has built a distinguished career in intellectual property (IP) and technology law with a strong emphasis on cross-border matters. Kasahara began her legal career at Hayabusa Kokusai Law Offices, where she practiced from 2000 to 2006, gaining substantial experience in IP, IT, and commercial matters in both Japan and abroad. This early phase laid the foundation for a global approach to IP strategy, licensing, and related regulatory considerations.

• Hayabusa Kokusai Law Offices — 2000–2006
• Greenberg Traurig LLP (New York) — 2006–2007
• Partner, Hayabusa Asuka Law Offices — 2007–2008
• Atsumi & Sakai — Joined January 2009; Senior Partner
• Leadership roles at Atsumi & Sakai include directing the IP/IT and Entertainment & Media teams, with a focus on protecting IP rights across technology, media, and related sectors
• Director, Entertainment Lawyers Network (Japan) and active member of the IP Lawyers Network Japan; involved in the Corporate Law Study Group of the Dai-ichi Tokyo Bar Association

Throughout her tenure at Atsumi & Sakai, Kasahara has led matters involving complex IP portfolios, data protection and privacy compliance, entertainment and media law, and cross-border transactions. Her practice encompasses advising both Japanese and multinational clients on trademark, copyright, and patent issues, as well as navigating regulatory frameworks for IT, digital media, and telecommunications. Her experience in cross-border environments—garnered from time at a major U.S. law firm and subsequent leadership within a premier Japanese firm—has informed a practice that prioritizes strategic IP protection, licensing negotiations, and risk management in global markets. Kasahara’s experience also includes engagement with a broad spectrum of clients in technology and information-intensive industries, such as software development, broadcasting, advertising, and consumer electronics. Her responsibilities at Atsumi & Sakai extend to counseling on data protection and privacy matters, including compliance programs for multinational operations, cross-border data transfers, and regulatory considerations in advertising and digital services. She has been involved in advising on licensing agreements, distribution contracts, and brand protection, as well as handling complex disputes and enforcement actions related to IP rights. Her professional network reflects a commitment to the development of IP and entertainment law in Japan. Kasahara serves as a director of the Entertainment Lawyers Network and maintains active involvement with IP Lawyers Network Japan, as well as engagement with broader cross-border commercial groups. Her publication activity further demonstrates an ongoing contribution to the legal discourse surrounding IP, data protection, corporate law, and cross-border commercial practice. Kasahara’s profile highlights a career marked by international exposure, leadership in specialized practice groups, and a consistent focus on protecting and monetizing intellectual property in dynamic technology-driven sectors. Her work at Atsumi & Sakai continues to position her at the intersection of IP strategy, digital economy considerations, and complex regulatory concerns in Japan and beyond.

Specialty

Kasahara’s practice centers on Intellectual Property and Information Technology, with deep involvement in Data Protection, Entertainment and Media, and Cross-Border Commercial Transactions. In addition to IP, Kasahara provides counsel on Corporate Law matters relevant to technology-enabled businesses. Her work demonstrates a blend of patent, trademark, and copyright matters with licensing, data privacy, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions. Within the technology, media, and retail landscapes, Kasahara focuses on protecting brand assets, managing IP portfolios, and navigating cross-border licensing and distribution. She has advised on telecommunications, software development and licensing, and digital media ventures, including matters touching on TV production, advertising, and entertainment rights. Kasahara’s practice also encompasses data protection and privacy issues for multinational clients operating in Japan, including compliance structuring, data transfer considerations, and regulatory interactions. Industries and domains frequently associated with Kasahara’s work include technology, media, advertising, software, telecommunications, and consumer electronics. Her cross-border experience informs strategic IP protection and enforcement approaches for clients seeking to optimize value from IP assets while managing regulatory risk in Japan and abroad. Her focus on entertainment and media reflects involvement in rights management, content licensing, and related contractual frameworks essential to modern digital ecosystems. In terms of case types, Kasahara handles trademark disputes and brand protection, copyright enforcement and licensing, software licensing arrangements, data protection and privacy compliance, and contractual work relating to licensing and distribution. Her practice supports the full lifecycle of IP-driven transactions—from strategy and clearance to enforcement and dispute resolution—across Japan and international markets.

Education

Kasahara holds a strong academic foundation from Hokkaido University. She earned a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) in 1993, followed by a Master of Laws (LL.M.) from Hokkaido University School of Law in 1996. Kasahara completed the Legal Training and Research Institute of the Supreme Court of Japan as part of her formal legal training, equipping her with the rigorous procedural and practical education required for complex IP and cross-border matters.

Achievements and Recognition

• ALB Asia's Top 15 Female Lawyers 2025 — Chie Kasahara named among Asia's Top 15 Female Lawyers for 2025 (Japan), recognizing her leadership in IP and related practice areas. https://www.aplawjapan.com/en/news-events/20250820
• Managing Intellectual Property (MIP) IP Stars 2021 — Patent star 2021 and Trade mark star 2021 (Japan) for Chie Kasahara; acknowledgement of expertise in patent and trademark matters within IP. https://www.aplawjapan.com/en/news-events/20210708
• Legal 500 Asia Pacific — Leading Individual in Japan for Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) across multiple years (2016–2019); demonstrates sustained recognition for Kasahara’s TMT IP work. https://www.aplawjapan.com/en/news-events/galapage or https://www.aplawjapan.com/en/news-events/2019 (see related coverage)
• The Best Lawyers in Japan 2020 — Recognized for excellence in information technology law, reflecting Kasahara’s leadership in IT/IP matters. https://www.gala-law.com/chie-kasahara or https://www.aplawjapan.com/en/news-events/galapage (publication summaries)
• Expert Guides — Media and Women in Business Law (2015) recognition for Chie Kasahara; reflects leadership in entertainment/media and women’s leadership within the legal industry. https://www.gala-law.com/en/news/expert-guides-2015