Nobutaka Yokota is the representative partner of FIELDS IP Attorneys PPC. He has extensive experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications, for both domestic and foreign clients, in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceutics, agricultural chemistry, food chemistry, and material science. His practice also includes drafting and prosecuting Patent Term Extension applications based on marketing approvals for medical and agrochemical products and counseling clients in relation to PTE protection and data protection under the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Act.

Mr. Yokota is also experienced in providing validity/invalidity and infringement/non-infringement opinions and representing his clients in invalidation trials before the Japan Patent Office and the IP High Court.

He received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1990 and his Master of Engineering degree in 1992 from Osaka University, where he performed undergraduate and graduate research in the field of molecular biology. He also received his Master of Business Law degree from the Graduate School of International Corporate Strategy, Hitotsubashi University in 2006.

• Registered as patent attorney, 1995
• Registered as IP-related litigation attorney, 2008

• "Practical points to consider regarding gene-related inventions - From the viewpoint of new genes and known genes", INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, Vol. 71, No.8, pp1058-1070(2021)
• "Standard of Judgment of the Support Requirement under Article 36(6)(i) of the Japanese Patent Law - Focusing on the Parameter Case", INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, Vol. 56, No.10, pp1507-1526(2006)
• "Patent eligibility expanded", LIFE SCIENCES IP FOCUS 2009, pp3-5, Managing Intellectual Property

• B.S, Applied Physics, Tohoku University
• Master of Graduate school of Law, Tohoku University

• Registered as patent attorney, 1994

Yasutaka Enoki has broad experience in the preparation and prosecution of patent applications, for both domestic and foreign clients, in the fields of material science including optical film, detergent composition, polymer composition, and manufacturing process of electronic device.

Mr. Enoki is also experienced in providing validity/invalidity and infringement/non-infringement opinions and representing his clients in the IP High Court.

He received his Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1999 from Tokyo University of Science, where he performed undergraduate research in the field of physical chemistry.

• Registered as patent attorney, 2007

Mr. Sakanaka specializes in the field of information processing, which includes software, OS, and networks.

As a system engineer, he experienced developing various system architectures.

Mr. Sakanaka strives to add extra value to inventions.

• B.S.,Engineering, Tokyo University of Science

• Registered as patent attorney, 2013

• B.S.,Earth science, Waseda University

• Registered as patent attorney, 2014

Michiko Omori focuses her practice on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications for both domestic and foreign clients, in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceutics, agricultural chemistry, food chemistry, and material science. Her experience also includes providing opinions relating to validity and infringement.

Ms. Omori received her Bachelor's degree in Agriculture in 2000 and her Master's degree in Agriculture in 2002 from Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, where she performed undergraduate and graduate research in the field of Physiology.

• Registered as patent attorney, 2005

• "Researches and Studies on Issues of Patentability for Bio-related Pharmaceutical Inventions Based on International Comparisons" Patent, 2010 July Issue, joint paper
• "International Competitiveness and Patent Strategy of Biotechnology and Life Science Industry in Japan" Patent, 2011 September Issue, joint paper

Hisakazu Uchiyama focuses his practice on the preparation and prosecution of patent applications for both domestic and foreign clients, in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceutics, food chemistry, and food science.

Dr. Uchiyama received his doctorate in the field of food and nutritional sciences in 2007 from University of Shizuoka, where he performed his research in the field of physiology, molecular biology, and biochemistry.

• Registered as patent attorney, 2019

With over 30 years of experience in IP practice and more than 25 years as a registered patent attorney, Ms. Yoshida brings a depth of knowledge and strategic perspective that few practitioners can match. Her practice is centered on life sciences, with particular emphasis on biologics and antibody-based therapeutics. Holding an M.S. in Biology (Developmental Biology) from Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University, she conducted hands-on research in gene manipulation, protein purification, antibody production, and cell and tissue culture -- a scientific foundation that gives her an instinctive command of the most complex biotechnology subject matter. Her academic training translates directly into claim strategies that are technically precise and commercially durable.

She regularly advises both domestic and international clients on the full spectrum of IP portfolio development, integrating foreign practice considerations into every engagement. Her counsel to overseas clients on Japanese patent strategy is highly regarded for its clarity, practicality, and forward-looking approach. Her practice further encompasses patent term extension applications and a thorough understanding of the scope of extended patent rights, giving pharmaceutical clients a decisive advantage in managing the full lifecycle of their IP assets.

From 2018 to 2022, she served as a Technical Adviser to the Tokyo High Court (including the IP High Court), where she provided expert guidance primarily on pharmaceutical patent litigation. Since 2026, she has served as a Nominated Expert Advisor on Japan's Patent Linkage System under the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare -- one of the most critical regulatory frameworks in the pharmaceutical sector.

• Registered as patent attorney, 2000
• Registered as IP-related litigation attorney, 2015

• B.S., Electronics Engineering, Waseda University
• M.D., Electronics Engineering, Graduate school of Waseda University
• Ph.D., Electronics Engineering, Graduate school of Waseda University

• Registered as patent attorney, 2006

• B.S., Physics, Tohoku University

• B.S., Electronics Engineering, Kyushu University

• Registered as patent attorney, 1987

• B.S., Electrical Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture &Technology

• Registered as patent attorney, 1987

Masashi Kurose is Of Counsel of FIELDS IP Attorneys. He has more than 30 years of experience in Japanese and international intellectual property laws as well as a hard-earned know-how in counterfeit products and IP dispute resolution in East and South East Asia. He practices counseling on IP management and strategy matters including IP dispute resolution.

In particular, Mr. Kurose is well known as a pioneer among Chinese patent and trademark practitioners and experts. In recent years, he is also actively involved in IP issues in Russia, Brazil, and India and other developing countries. He lectures widely, both domestically and internationally, on IP management and strategy matters.

• 1970 Faculty of Engineering Design, Kyoto Institute of Technology
• 2007 International Corporate Strategy, Hitotsubashi University Graduate School

• 1977-2014 Kyowa Patent and Law Office
• 2005- Visiting Professor, Department of Master of Intellectual Property, The Tokyo University of Science Graduate School
• 2014- Lecturer, International Corporate Strategy, Hitotsubashi University Graduate School
• 2015- President, Kurose IP Management

• Registered as patent attorney, 1977