Specializing in intellectual property, the Tokyo-based Keisen Associates provides Japanese and other international companies with services aimed at ensuring their trouble-free entry into the large U.S. market. Because of cultural differences, regulatory divergences and complex issues surrounding IP, it is common that legal advice and government rules get lost in translation.
“We call it a need-oriented approach. I go to a local company and listen to its needs and demands that come from Japan. There are very many advanced industries in Japan, like food technology or medical device technology, and we hear very specific needs from the U.S. I then go to Japan to acquire the technology there,” explained Keisen Associates Principal and Founder Taro Yaguchi.
“That is our approach. But of course, there are still barriers, like language and culture. We help fill those gaps. So, our role goes beyond the legal services,” he added.
A few years ago, Yaguchi put greater focus on the cultural aspect of Japanese business. While Japan leads the world in technology, the country also has a strong, unique work ethic and a rich culture that many economies wish to emulate.
“We also help large U.S. corporations in Japan. We have a subsidiary called Japan Technology Group, which is dedicated to technology-sharing between our two countries, particularly those developed by Japanese universities,” Yaguchi explained.
