Patent Department: SOEI Patent & Law Firm

[President, Director of the Patent Depertment]

Mr. Hasegawa received his B.S. (1976) and M.S. (1978) in Electrical Engineering from Shizuoka University and qualified as a patent attorney in 1981.
Since founding to SOEI in 1986, he has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions and consultation in the fields of semiconductor processing, semiconductor devices and optics.
He also helps represent clients before the Tokyo District Court in cases that involve patent rights violations.
A member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA), he has served as vice-chair of the Special Committee for the Revision of the Patent Attorneys Law and as a member of the Council of the JPAA. Currently, he is member of the Patent Committee.
He is also a member of the Japan Association for Industrial Property Law,and, since 2001, he has been an adjunct professor at Toyama University where he teaches patent law.

[of Counsel]

Mr. Terasaki received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1977 and qualified as a patent attorney in 1985. He worked for Hitachi in research and development of semi-conductor production automatization machines (1977 - 1981) and for the Okabe International Patent Office (1981 - 1987).
Since joining to SOEI in 1987, he has been handling prosecutions in the fields of semiconductor processing, semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, computer networking devices, computer software, data recording devices, image processing, optical devices, mechanical devices and gaming machines.
Active in the JPAA, he served as the chairman of the Software Committee and as the vice-chairman of the International Activities Committee.

[Vice President]

Mr. Kuroki received his B.S. and M.S. in Applied Physics from Nagoya University in 1993 and 1995 and qualified as a patent attorney in 1998.
After working for another patent firm in Gifu, he joined SOEI in 1999. He has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions, consultation and litigation in the fields of mechanical devices, automotive matters, and construction machines. He also consults with clients in IP related matters.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorney Association (JPAA).

[Senior Patent Attorney]

Mr. Yamada received a Rotary Foundation scholarship to West Virginia Institute of Technology, graduating Cum Laude in 1981 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. A member of the honorary fraternity Tau Beta Pi in the United States, he became a patent attorney in 1986. He also earned an LLB (honours) from the University of Wolverhampton, the School of Legal Studies, completed the Bar Finals Course at Holborn College, and qualified as a barrister in 2000.
Since joining to SOEI in 1987, he has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of semiconductors and manufacturing devices.
He is a member of the AIPPI, APAA, LES, and the Inner Temple as well as the Japan Patent Attorneys Association （JPAA).　Ｈe served as a member of the ADR promotion committee of the JPAA.

[Senior Patent Attorney]

Mr. Abe received his B.S. (1974) in Precision Engineering from the Gifu University. Positions held in the Japan Patent Office (1975-2002, 2005-2009) include Examiner, Appeal Examiner, Director of Examinations, Chief Appeal Examiner, Senior Director of the Board of Appeal and Deputy Director-General of the Board of Appeal. Also, he worked for Tokyo District Court (2002-2005) as the technical advisor on infringement suits.
He has examined applications for patents in many fields, including mechanical devices, medical devices and automotives in the Japan Patent Office.
He joined to SOEI in 2009.

[Senior Patent Attorney]

Mr. Kido received his B.S. (1970) and M.S. (1972) in Resources Engineering from the Kyushu University. Positions held in the Japan Patent Office (1972 - 1999, 2002 - 2005) include Examiner, Appeal Examiner, Director of Examinations, Chief Appeal Examiner, and Director of the Board of Appeal. Also, he worked for Tokyo District Court (1999 - 2002) as the technical advisor for infringement suits.
Since joining to SOEI in 2006, He has been handling appeals and consultations in the fields of semiconductor processing, semiconductor devices, gaming machines, automotives, construction machines.

Ph.D.

Dr. Ishida studied Physics at the University of Tokyo, where he earned a B.S. in 1990, an M.S. in 1992, and a Ph.D. in 1998. He worked on an experimental study of nuclear physics at the Cyclotron Laboratory in RIKEN, the Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (1995-1998).
He joined SOEI in 1998 and qualified as a patent attorney in 2002.
He has been handling prosecutions and appeals in the fields of semiconductor devices and optical devices.

Mr. Kondoh received his B.S. in Applied Physics in 1982 from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, where he studied molecular physics and his M.S. in Physics in 1984 from Tohoku University, where he studied superconductivity.
He qualified as a patent attorney in 1996. He worked for NEC Corporation as a semiconductor device engineer (1984 - 1996).
Since joining to SOEI in 1996, he has been handling prosecutions in the fields of semiconductor processing　and semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, computer software, optical devices.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

[Senior Patent Attorney]

Mr. Shibata received his B.S. (1980) and M.S. (1982) in Applied Physics from the University of Tokyo and qualified as a patent attorney in 1997.
Following his graduation, he joined the Kawasaki Steel Corporation, working first in the Instrument & Control Laboratory (1982-1986) and then in the LSI Division (1986 - 1995). In 1995, he came to SOEI and began studying to become a patent attorney.
He has been handling prosecutions, appeals and expert opinions in the fields of digital signal processing and optical devices.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Suzuki received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Chuo University in 1987. Following his graduation, he worked for UNIDEN21 as an electrical engineer (1987 - 1991) and for Yamaguchi & Associates (1991 - 1995).
He joined SOEI in 1995 and qualified as a patent attorney in 2000.
He has been handling appeals, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of integrated circuits, computer software, image processing, optical devices, mechanical devices, automotive machinery and construction machines.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Ikeda received his B.S. in Physics from Tohoku University in 1993 and qualified as a patent attorney in 1995.
He has been with SOEI since graduating from university and been handling prosecutions and appeals in the fields of semiconductor processing, semiconductor devices, computer architecture, optical devices and gaming machines.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Noda graduated from the University of Tokyo in 1985, where he studied Precision Mechanical Engineering in the Engineering Department. After graduation, he worked at Recruit Co., Ltd., for over nine years where he engaged in the development and maintenance of large-scaled general-purpose computer systems in cooperation with IBM Japan. In 1995, he began working for a patent firm in Tokyo, where he was in charge of patent applications relating to copying machines, facsimiles, image-development processing systems, etc.
Since joining SOEI in 2000, he has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of telecommunications, mobile communication systems, wireless LAN, computer networking devices, data recording devices, computer software, digital signal processing, image processing, encryption/decryption, optical devices, mechanical devices, printer/copier/fax machine. He joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2002. He is currently a member of the JPAA's International Activities Center, and he sometimes serves as a delegate international intellectual property conferences and meetings.

Mr. Okiyama received his B.S. in Industrial Administration from Tokyo University of Science in 1991. Following his graduation, he worked for Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd. as a patent engineer (1991-2003).
He qualified as a patent attorney in 2001 and joined SOEI in 2004. He has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of telecommunications, mobile communications, wireless LAN and printer/copier/fax machines.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Suzawa studied Plasma Physics at Tohoku University. After graduating in 1993, he worked for KDDI Corporation where he engaged in the development of accounting information systems.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined SOEI in 2002. He has been handling opinions in the fields of telecommunications, mobile communications, wireless LAN, computer architecture, computer networking devices, data recording devices, computer software, image processing, encryption/decryption and optical devices.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

[Specializes in Mechanical cases]

Mr. Shibayama received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering fromWaseda University in 1993.
He joined SOEI in 2001 and qualified as a patent attorney in 2005.
He has been handling prosecutions in the fields of optical devices, mechanical devices and construction machines.
He has seven years experience as a frame designer for a bicycle manufacturer.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Kashioka graduated from Keio University in 1993, where he studied Electrical Engineering in the Faculty of Science and Technology. After graduation, he worked at the Fujitsu Institute for over eight years where he engaged in research and development of inkjet printers, OCR and image processing. He was qualified as a Japanese Patent Attorney in February, 2002 and joined SOEI thereafter.
He has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of semiconductor processing, semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, telecommunications, mobile communications, wireless LAN, computer architecture, computer networking devices, data recording devices, computer software, digital signal processing, image processing, optical devices, mechanical devices, medical devices, gaming machines, printer/copier/fax machine.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Kondo studied Applied Chemistry at Kumamoto University in the Engineering Department, graduating in 1992. After his graduation, he engaged in the development of computer systems at Toppan Printing Co., LTD. for over six years. He was qualified as a patent attorney in March 2002.
He joined SOEI the same year where he has been handling prosecutions in the fields of semiconductor devices, mobile communications, computer networking devices, computer software, mechanical devices.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Fukaishi received his B.S. and M.S. in Industrial Engineering and Management at Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1997 and 1999. He worked for NTT DATA Corporation as a systems engineer (1999-2003) and passed the Patent Attorneys Examination in 2002.
Since joining to SOEI in 2003, He has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of mobile communications, computer software and bioinformatics.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) and the Operations Research Society of Japan.

Mr. Ohno received his B.S from Tokyo University of Science in 1997, where he studied Electrical Engineering. After graduation, he worked at a patent firm in Tokyo for seven years.
He qualified as a patent attorney in April, 2004 and joined SOEI right after he became a patent attorney. He has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of semiconductor processing, telecommunications, mobile communications, encryption/decryption and mechanical devices.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Nakayama received his B.S. (1999) and M.S. (2001) in Physics from Tokyo University of Science. After graduation, he worked for Seiko Instruments Inc. as an optical device engineer until he joined SOEI in 2003. He has been handling prosecutions in the fields of telecommunications, mechanical machines and Optical devices.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japanese Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2006.

Mr. Osaka received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Osaka Institute of Technology in 1994 and qualified as a patent attorney in 2003. He worked in the intellectual property section of NEC Engneering,Ltd. for twelve years. Since joining to SOEI in 2006, he has been handling prosecutions in the fields of mechanical devices and printer/copier/fax machines.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Assosiation(JPAA).

Mr. Nishimoto received his B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the National Defense Academy of Japan in 1990. He passed the Patent Attorneys Examination in 2003 and joined SOEI in 2004. He has 10 years experience as a patent practitioner both in a patent firm and industry. He has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of mechanical devices, automotive matters, gaming machines and construction machines.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Hosaka received his B.S. in Information Sciences from Tsukuba University in 1997. He worked for a system integration company as a system engineer for several years and he qualified as a patent attorney in 2004
Since joining to SOEI in 2006, He has been handling consultations in the fields of computer architecture, computer software and image processing.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Kawai received his B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering from the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1993. Following his graduation, he worked for NKK(now JFE) and for Fujitsu Co., Ltd. as a LSI designer.
After working for Fujitsu as a patent engineer, qualified as a patent attorney in 2006.
He joined SOEI and the Japanese Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2007.

Mr. Takagi received his B.S. in Precision Mechanical Engineering from Chuo University in 1995.
He qualified as a patent attorney in 2004 joined SOEI in 2007.
He has three years experience as a designer in a fluid filter manufacturing and seven years experience as a member of Intellectual Property Department for an electric parts manufacturer.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association(JPAA).

Mr. Suzuki received his M.S. in Material Physics from Tokyo Institute of Technology. He worked for an electronics manufacturer until he joined Soei in 2006.
He has been handling prosecutions, appeals, in the fields of semiconductor process, semiconductor device, data recording devaice and optical devices.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2007.

Mr. Tamura graduated from Tohoku University, where he studied Material Engineering. Following his graduation, he worked for an auto parts manufacturer, where he developed products. After that, he worked for another patent firm in Tokyo until he joined Soei in 2004. He has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of semiconductor processes, semiconductor devices, telecommunications, mobile communications, wireless LAN, computer architecture, computer network devices, data recording devices, computer software, digital signal processing, image processing, mechanical devices, medical devices, automotive, printer/copier/fax machines, construction machines.

He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japanese Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2007.

Mr. Arai received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Hokkaido University. He worked for a machine manufacturer until he joined Soei in 2005. He has been handling consultation in the fields of mechanical device, medical devices, automotive, printer/copier/fax machine, gaming machine, construction machine.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2007.

[Vice President]

Mr. Shimizu received his B.S. in Chemistry/Biomaterials from the University of Tokyo in 1987 and MBA from Bond University in 2007. After graduation from University of Tokyo, he worked for the 3M Company (Japan and US) for over ten years as a researcher. He joined SOEI in 1999 and qualified as a patent attorney in 2003. He has been handling prosecutions, appeals, trials, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of adhesives, catalysts, ceramics, cosmetics, electrochemical, nanotechnology, optics, organic and polymer materials, petroleum chemistry, pharmaceuticals, photo-resists, photolithography, photoconductors, semiconductors, biochemistry, fermentation, gene engineering, natural product and plant varieties.
He is a certified IP litigator, and he consults for clients on IP matters periodically. He is a member of the JPAA, AIPPI, APAA and SPSJ (Society for Polymer Science, Japan). He is a chairperson at Biotechnology/Life Science Committee of JPAA and a member of Working Groups for “Inventive Steps”, “Description Requirements” and “Deposition of Microorganism” at JPO. He also works as a member of Working Group for “Strategic Council on Intellectual Property” at the Cabinet. He enjoys music, swimming, cruising, martial arts, mountain climbing, golfing and especially food & sake!

[Senior Patent Attorney]

Mr. Ikeda received M.S. (1976) in Industrial Chemistry from the Kyoto Institute of Technology . His careers in the Japan Patent Office (1976-2007) include Examiner, Appeal Examiner and Chief Appeal Examiner in the fields of polymer, medicine, cosmetics, metal materials, metal processing and semiconductors.
Since joining to SOEI in 2007, he has been handling appeals and consultations in chemistry and its related fields.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Ph.D.

Dr. Mikami received his B.S.(1993), M.S.(1995) and Ph.D. (1998) in Chemical Engineering from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. After earning his doctorate, he worked for the Tokuyama Corporation, a Japanese chemical company, as a chemical plant engineer until he joined SOEI in 2000.
He has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of catalysts, ceramics, chemical engineering, electrochemical, nanotechnology, optics, photoresists and photolithography, photoconductors, semiconductors, power technology.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2002.

Mr. Kimoto received his B.S. (1995) and M.S. (1997) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of Tokyo. He then worked as a research assistant in neuroscience at the same university for three years.
He qualified as a patent attorney in 2002 and joined SOEI in 2003.
He has been handling prosecutions in the fields of organic and polymer materials, pharmaceuticals, biochemistry, bioinformatics, enzymology, fermentation, food technology, gene engineering, genomics, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, natural products and proteomics.
He enjoys snowboarding and loves The Canyons, Utah.

Mr. Totsu received his B.S.(1999) and M.S.(2001) in Chemical System Engineering from Tokyo University.
After graduation, he worked for Dai Nippon Printing as a semiconductor process engineer until he joined
SOEI in 2002. He has been handling prosecutions in the fields of semiconductor processing, semiconductor devices, data recording devices, optical devices, chemical engineering.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japanese Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2005.

[Specializes in Chemical cases]

Mr. Okita received his B.S. (1993) and M.S. (1995) in Synthetic Chemistry and Biological Chemistry from Kyoto University. Following his graduation, he worked for Toray Industries as a researcher on polymeric materials (1995-2003). He joined SOEI in 2003 and qualified as a patent attorney in 2005. He has been handling prosecutions, appeals and expert opinions in the fields of adhesives, catalysts, electrochemicals, nanotechnology, organic and polymer materials, petroleum chemistry, pharmaceuticals, photoresists and photolithography, photoconductors and semiconductors.
He is a member of the JPAA.

Ms. Watanabe received her B.S. (1996) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Shenyang University of Pharmacy, China, and M.S. (1999) in biotechnology from Tokyo Institute of Technology. Then she joined Research Institute, International Medical Center of Japan as a researcher. From 2001, she worked for Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., LTD for two years. She was qualified as a Pharmacist in 2003.
Ms. Watanabe joined SOEI in 2004. She has been handling prosecutions and opinions in the fields of biochemistry, fermentation, gene engineering, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, natural products.
A native speaker of Chinese, Ms. Watanabe is proficient in both Japanese and English
She was qualified as a patent attorney in 2005 and is a member of Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Ishizaka received his M.S. in Chemistry from Kyushu University in 1995. After graduation, he worked in chemical companies for ten years as a chemist and chemical engineer. He is qualified as a patent attorney in 2005 and joined SOEI in 2006.
He has been handling prosecutions in the fields of catalysts, ceramics, chemical engineering, nanotechnology and petroleum chemistry.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Yamanishi received his M.S. in environmental chemistry from Hiroshima University in 1997. After graduation, he worked in incorporated administrative agency for 11 years as a chief of enerygy and environmental technology R&D such as fuel cell. He is qualified as a patent attorney in 2007 and joined SOEI in 2008.
He has been handling prosecutions in the fields of chemical, electrochemicals, nanotechnology and organic and polymer materials.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Yamaguchi received his B.S. (1996) and M.S. (1998) in Mechanical Engineering from Tokyo Metropolitan University. After graduation, he worked for a company providing intellectual property-related services and was engaged in foreign patent prosecution and Japan/foreign patent search. Since he joined SOEI in 2004, he has been handling patent prosecutions, searches and consultations in the fields of mechanical engineering, mobile communication technology and computer software.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japanese Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2006.

Mr. Omori received his B.S. and M.S. in Applied Physics from Tohoku University in 2000 and 2003. He worked for IT Solution Company as a system engineer for several years until he joined Soei in 2006, where he has been handling consultations in the fields of integrated circuits, computer software, image processing, optical devices, mechanical devices, and automotive machinery.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2009.

Mr. Yanagi graduated from Tokyo University in 2003, where he studied Machine Engineering. He worked for a home appliance manufacturer until he joined Soei in 2005. He has been handling prosecutions and appeals in the fields of  electronic components, mechanical devices, automotive and construction machinery.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2009.

Mr. Sakamaki received his B.S. and M.S. in Applied Chemistry from the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2003. After completing his studies, he was at National Institutes of Natural Sciences (Institute for Molecular Science) until he joined Soei in 2005. He has been handling prosecutions in the fields of organic and polymer materials, pharmaceuticals, adhesives, catalysts, nanotechnology, photoresists, photolithography and photoconductors.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2009. 

After Mr. Furushita received his B.S. and M.S. in Applied Chemistry from the Tokyo Institute of Technology in 2005 he worked for NIPPON ZEON Co., Ltd. for several years.
At Soei, he has been handling prosecutions in the fields of inorganic and polymer materials, nanotechnology, chemical engineering, electrical fuel cells, semiconductors and electronic devices.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2009.

Mr. Komachi graduated from Chiba University, where he studied mechanical engineering. He worked for an automaker and electronic component maker until he joined Soei in 2004. He has been handling consultation in the fields of mechanical device, automotive, optical devices.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2010.

Mr. Komatsu received his M.S. in mechanical engineering from Shizuoka University.
After graduation, he worked for a mechatronics company, and was engaged in the development of the inertia sensor.
Since he joined SOEI in 2010.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2010

Mr. Matsuo received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Waseda University in 1999. After graduation, he worked in a precision machine manufacturer for 11 years as a mechanical engineer.
He joined SOEI in 2010 and qualified as a patent attorney in 2010.
He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Hirano received his B.S. (1993) and M.S. (1995) in Molecular Engineering from Kyoto University. Following his graduation, he worked for Nippon Oil Corporation as a researcher on lubricants (1995-1999). He joined SOEI in 1999 and qualified as a patent attorney in 2010. He has been handling prosecutions in the fields of lubricants, fuels, petroleum chemistry, catalysts, adhesives and photoresists.

Mr. Fukuyama received his B.S. (2000) and M.S. (2002) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from Nagoya City University and graduate school of Kyoto University, respectively.
He worked as an editor at publishing company, then worked as a pharmacist at a dispensing pharmacy and at a hospital until he joined SOEI in 2008.
He has been handling prosecutions in the fields of organic and inorganic chemistry, polymer materials, medicinal chemistry, process chemistry, ceramics and mechanical device.
He qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2010.
He is a member of The Pharmaceutical Society of Japan.

Mr. Suzuki received his B.S. in Petroleum Engineering from Tokyo University in 1997. After graduation, he worked for Teikoku Oil Company (now INPEX) for seven years as an oil driller and a researcher. He joined SOEI in 2004. He qualified as a patent attorney in 2010 and joined the JPAA. He has been handling prosecutions in the fields of catalysts, ceramics, chemical engineering, petroleum chemistry and environmental technology.

Ms. Ando received her B.S. (2005) and M.S. (2007) in agriculture from Tokyo University. She has been with Soei since graduating from university in 2007. She qualified as a patent attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2010.
She has been handling prosecutions in the fields of botany, pharmaceuticals, biochemistry, food technology, molecular biology.

 

Mr. Ishizuka received his M.S. in Civil Engineering from Tokushima University in 1995.  After working for a construction consulting company as a mechanical engineer, he joined another patent firm where he handled prosecutions and appeals in the fields of information and control devices and telecommunicating devices.  He qualified as a Patent Attorney and joined SOEI in 2011.  He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

Mr. Terasawa received his B.S. (1995) in Aeronautical Engineering and M.S. (1997) in Aerospace Engineering from Osaka Prefecture University.  After graduation, he worked for an aircraft component manufacturer where he was engaged in development of fly-by-wire systems until he joined SOEI in 2001.  He has been handling prosecutions in the fields of optical devices, semiconductor devices, and semiconductor processing.  He qualified as a Patent Attorney and joined the Japanese Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2011.

Mr. Wada received his M.S. in Applied Physics from Osaka University. He worked for Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc. until he joined Soei in 2002.  He qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2011.  He is handling prosecutions and appeals in the fields of mechanical devices, semiconductor devices and optical devices.

Mr. Yasuda received his B.S. (1997) and M.S. (1999) in Environmental Engineering from Kyoto University. After graduation, he worked for a water treatment plants manufacturer as an engineer for nine years.  He joined SOEI in 2008.  He qualified as a Patent Attorney and joined the JPAA in 2011. He is handling prosecutions and consultations in the fields of mechanical devices, automotive machinery and environmental technologies. As a student, he practiced Kendo (the Japanese martial art of fencing with bamboo swards) seriously. 

 

Dr. Banzai received his B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry and Biotechnology, and Ph.D. in Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Tokyo.  After earning his doctorate, he was engaged in research related to ceramics and biomolecules until he joined SOEI in 2009.  He qualified as a Patent Attorney and joined the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA) in 2011.  He has been handling prosecutions, appeals, expert opinions and consultations in the fields of biotechnology, biochemistry, fermentation, food technology, molecular biology, natural products, pharmaceuticals, organic and polymer materials, adhesives, ceramics, cosmetics and electrochemistry.

 

Mr. Hirakata received his M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Sophia University in 2004.  After graduation, he worked at a precision machine manufacturer for one year and at a bearing manufacturer for five years, both as a mechanical engineer.  He joined SOEI in 2010 and qualified as a Patent Attorney in 2011.  He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).

  

Mr. Doi received his B.S. in Electronic Engineering from the University of Tokyo.  After graduation, he worked for a manufacturer of PC peripheral hardware for 4 years where he was engaged in the development of PC peripherals and integrated circuits.  He qualified as a Patent Attorney and joined SOEI in 2011.  He is a member of the Japan Patent Attorneys Association (JPAA).