Biography
Partner Shinsuke Yakura leads White & Case's Tokyo Dispute Resolution practice.
With more than two decades in the Japan market, he has extensive experience advising domestic and foreign companies on cross-border litigation and arbitration, intellectual property and white collar and compliance matters, as well as antitrust and product liability.
He regularly advises on inbound disputes before the Japanese courts and on matters under the rules of the Japan Commercial Arbitration Association (JCAA), as well as on outbound disputes before US courts and under institutional arbitral rules (including ICC, SIAC, LCIA and JAMS) in various jurisdictions.
A qualified patent attorney (Benrishi) in Japan, Shinsuke has a wealth of experience representing companies in patent infringement litigation across a wide spectrum of technologies, including electronics and industrial machinery, among others. He also advises on other IP-related issues such as trademark, copyright and right to publicity.
Shinsuke also regularly provides counsel on bribery regulations including FCPA and UKBA, antitrust and competition law, cartel, fraud and compliance investigations as well as mergers and acquisitions, licensing and other transactional matters.
More recently, his practice has evolved to include advising on business and legal issues related to artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and big data. He also regularly advises clients on data protection and cybersecurity matters, including coordinating global responses to and mitigating risks arising from cyber attacks.
Prior to joining White & Case, he led the Tokyo office of another highly-respected international law firm where he was head of the complex litigation and dispute resolution group and intellectual property group.
Shinsuke is a member of the Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association as well as the Japan Patent Attorneys Association, Licensing Executives Society Japan, Inter-Pacific Bar Association and the Copyright Law Association of Japan.
Experience
Shinsuke's experience includes:
Representation of a leading global technology, software, and engineering company on its certain dispute matter against a leading Japanese multinational ceramics and electronics manufacturer.*
Representation of a major Japanese brand and manufacturer of computers and electronic for consumers and industry on sales contract related dispute with an American advanced-technology company.*
Representation of Japanese multinational engineering, electrical equipment and electronics corporation on a trade secret related issue with leading global aerospace company.*
Representation of an EPC contractor on a construction agreement and related dispute with a provider of energy generation and distribution services.*
Representation of a globally recognized precision equipment manufacturer on an LED patent dispute with a manufacturer of LED chips and components.*
Representation of a globally recognized precision equipment manufacturer on an LED patent dispute with a US multinational a high-tech industrial company.*
Representation of a Japanese manufacturer of water treatment chemicals and facilities on a patent issue with a Japanese global glass manufacturing company.*
*Matter prior to joining White & Case.
Asia Top 30 Litigators 2026, Asian Legal Business
Chambers Global and Chambers Asia Pacific, Dispute Resolution: International, 2014-2024; Dispute Resolution: Domestic, Japan, 2012 - 2017 and 2021-2024; Intellectual Property: Domestic, 2021-2024; and Intellectual Property: International, 2024
Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Dispute Resolution: International, Japan, and Intellectual Property: International, Japan, 2013 and 2020-2024
Asia IP Top 15 IP Lawyers 2022, Asian Legal Business
Asia IP Rankings 2022, Asian Legal Business; ranked Tier 1 for Patents, and Copyrights and Trademarks, Japan International
ALB Japan Law Awards, Asian Legal Business, Finalist for Dispute Resolution Lawyer of the Year and Managing Partner of the Year, 2020-2023
I AM Patent 1000, Recommended Individual in Japan Foreign: Litigation, 2020-2024
Best Lawyers, Intellectual Property, International Arbitration, Litigation and Corporate and M&A, Japan, 2009 – 2024
Editor, Peking University Law Review
Speaker, "Arbitration-Friendly Contract Drafting and Risk Hedging for Japanese Corporate Counsel" (ICC International Court of Arbitration (ICA) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Japan, 2026 ICC Tokyo Arbitration Day, April 2026)
Speaker, "Business at the Frontlines: Experiences with AI in Early 2026" (White & Case, March 2026)
Speaker, "Asia-Pacific Launches | Insights from the 2025 White & Case and QMUL International Arbitration Survey" (White & Case and Queen Mary University of London, July 2025)
Lecturer, "The Cutting Edge of Cybersecurity and Legal Response: Incident and Ransomware Response and Global Legal Risk – A Practical Approach Through Risk Management and Cross-Departmental Collaboration" (Japan In-House Lawyers Association, Section 3 (IT, Entertainment and Telecommunications) Regular Meeting, May 2025)
Panelist, "Practical Uses, Ethical Considerations and Prospects of AI and other Technology in Arbitration" (Japan Commercial Arbitration Association, JCAA Arbitration Days, November 2024)
Speaker, "Cyber Attacks and Strategic Measures – Including the Latest Developments in the U.S." (Co-organized Webinar with Mitsui Bussan Secure Direction, Inc., June 2024)
Speaker, "Dispute Resolution in Japan – Overview of Japanese Judicial System" (Association Droit & Commerce, November 2023)
Speaker, "Corporate Liability and Prevention of Cyber Attacks – Countermeasures Based on the Supply Chain" (Fronteo Online Seminar, July 2023)
Speaker, "Corporate Liability and Prevention of Cyber Attacks" (Global Business Knowledge Supply, "Legal Enhancement Expert Program Academy" No.98, March 2023)
Speaker, "Latest Practices & Strategic Responses to US NDAA & Export Control Regulations" (Epiq Webinar, November 2020)
Speaker, "Enforcement without Borders: Investigations and Sanctions by the World Bank and Other Multi-lateral Development Bank (MDB's)" (JOI Seminar, January 2016)
Speaker, "Global Trade Secret Protection" (MUFJ Research & Consulting/Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Seminar, October 2015)
Speaker, "Information Control Beyond Borders/Cybersecurity: Strategic Measure for Litigation and Compliance", (JCAA Seminar, July 2015)
Speaker, "International Commercial Arbitration in Japan from a Japanese Lawyer's perspective", (Academy for International Business Transactions, July 2015)
Speaker, "Competitive Strategy and Intellectual Property Strategy for Japanese Companies" (MUFJ Research & Consulting, Competitive Strategy and Intellectual Property Strategy Symposium, May 2015)
Lecturer, "Protecting Trade Secrets in the Global Market Place - Risks posed by cyber attacks, joint ventures, joint R&D, and departing employees" (Strategies for Global IP Litigation and Licensing Seminar 2013, October 2013)
Lecturer, "Protecting IP Rights and Litigating Claims in Asia - Issues of Particular Concern to Japan-based Companies" (Strategies for Global IP Litigation and Licensing Seminar 2012, October 2012)
Lecturer, "Dispute Resolution in Cross Border Disputes," (Seminar at Keiei Chosa Kenkyu-Kai, Tokyo, Japan, June 2009)
Lecturer, "Legal Issues over and Strategic Countermeasures against Counterfeit Products," (Seminar at Keiei Chosa Kenkyu-Kai, Tokyo, Japan, September 2009)
Panelist, "Arbitration Forum 2001, Mock Arbitration on International Commercial Dispute," (Seminar at Japan Commercial Arbitration Association and Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, November 2001)
Co-author, "Antitrust Civil Litigation in the United States" (Fair Trade No. 895, Fair Trade Institute, May 2025)
Editor, "Cross-border Dispute Resolution Strategies" (Lexis Nexis, June 2016)
Co-Author, "Cyber Security Strategy for Litigation and Compliance" (NTT Publishing, April 2015)
Co-author, "Economic Security and Risk Management: Business Risk Disclosure and Latest Trends." (CISTEC Journal, March 2022)
Co-Author, "No Waiting: FCPA Trends and Countermeasures During COVID-19 (based on A Resource Guide to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Second Edition)" (Japan Institute of Overseas Investment, Business Magazine "Overseas Investment and Loans" May 2021 Edition)
Co-author, "Recent Trends on Cybersecurity Litigation and Enforcement in the US (2)" (JCA Journal Vol. 67 No.6, June 2020)
Co-author, "Recent Trends on Cybersecurity Litigation and Enforcement in the US (1)" (JCA Journal Vol. 67 No.4, April 2020)
Co-author, "Representations and Warranties Insurance in M&A and How to Utilize for Dispute" (JCA Journal No. 750, December 2019)
Co-author, "The New California Consumer Privacy Act: What Companies Should Do for Cross-border Disputes" (JCA Journal No.746, August 2019)
Co-author, "Compliance Due Diligence and Challenges in Outbound M&A" (JCA Journal, N. 742, April 2019)
Co-author, "Recent U.S. Federal Court Decisions Involving Standard Essential Patents and Considerations for International ADR – Japan as a Possible ADR Forum for Resolving International SEP Disputes" (JCA Journal N. 740, February 2019)
Co-author, "Litigation and ADR after Brexit in Europe and Cross-border Effect" (JCA Journal, N738, December 2018)
Co-author, "Significance and Use of International Mock Arbitration and Mediation (1) (2) – Summary of the Joint Seminar with the Ministry of Justice in Japan and Charter Institute of Arbitration (CIArb)" (NBL, No 1129 and No 1131, October and September 2018)
Co-author, "Information Exchange & the Extraterritorial Reach of the EU Competition Law" (JCA Journal, N. 731, May 2018)
Co-author, "Ransomware: How Companies Should Prepare for this Cyber Threat and Produce Right Evidence" (JCA Journal, N. 727, January 2018)
Co-author, "Arbitration Clauses in Patent License Agreements and Strategic Option as Dispute Resolution" (JCA Journal, N. 725, November 2017)
Co-author, "A Study of Best Practices for Licensing Standard Essential Patents (SEPs) in Anticipation of Patent Dispute in the Internet of Things (IoT) (JCA Journal, N.723, September 2017)
Co-author, "Strategic Handling of Personal Information (including Employees' My Numbers) at Workplace under the Amended Personal Information Protection Law and My Number Law" (JCA Journal, N.721, July 2017)
Co-Author, "Practical Issues and Tips on Drafting an Arbitration Clause and Selection of Arbitrators" (JCA Journal, N.705, January 2017)
Co-author, "EU General Data Protection Regulation: potential Impact on Japanese Business and Strategic Measures" (JCA Journal, No.709, July 2016)
Co-author, "The International Comparative Legal Guide to: Product Liability 2016" (Global Legal Group 14th Edition, May 2016)
Co-author, "Cybercrime and Cyberespionage: Understanding and Countering the Threat" (JCA Journal, No. 701, November 2015)
Co-author, "Investigation/Research of Legal Systems and Practices Regarding Trade Secret and Confidential Information Management – Trade secret and confidential information management by multinationals located in Asia -" (Intellectual Property Management, Vol. 65 No. 10 (No. 778), October 2015)
Co-Author, "Compliance－There is no right answer but right process. Risks and strategic action with FCPA and UKBA and whistleblowing" (Monthly Global Keiei, No.382, October 2014)
Co-author, "What Japanese Companies Need to Know About the United States" Attorney-Client Privilege" (JCA Journal, No. 682, April 2014)
"Trade Secret Protection -Seeking the "Right Process" in view of Global Compliance-" (Intellectual Property Management, Vol. 64 No. 4 (No. 760), April 2014)
